probably stupid question

[spyderfx]

i haven't gone to design school or anything so i wouldn't know the answer to this (though it seems like something anyone who makes websites should know). I always see websites using those diagonal lines of a different color to shade their site or something. whats the deal with that because i see it all the time. anyone care to share their wealth of knowledge with me on whatever they have learned about using it and maybe even how people do it so that it comes out looking so nice

thanks in advance

[.soulty]

search the boards for diagonal lines , or diagonal tiles something like that, there posts,links to tutorials, tutorials in posts, attachements and so much already available in the boards.

[mlk]

http://www.kirupa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199324 should give you the basics

[iLikePie]

i think he wanted to know WHY people use them as well, so here's my opinion (feel free to disagree)!

i think a lot of people use them over photos especially because it's something simple that changes the photo from being *just* an images stuck in there, into something thats obviously been considered, and thought about how to add more visual interest. Particularly if the site isn't just a straight minimal design, having blank spaces, or completely untreated spaces (i.e a photo that's just a photo) can look a bit plain and boring, so the lines are a way to get away from that without having to destroy or over-manipulate the image.

it was also just trendy for a while, so that's the only reason a lot of people need :P

[mlk]

I think it's still nice to use, it 'fills up' the background (must not be too distracting though) and is better than a plain old color. It's easy to make mistakes and have a design not fit for diagonal lines though (ie if the content uses lots of lines going at another angle the whole page might screw up)

[.soulty]

you may not notice but i use subtle diagonal lines in my footer, its slightly there but makes a difference than having nothing there.