New Site Design Ideas

[Appleseed]

Hey, I am currently working on my personal portfolio site. The problem is that I have been changing my mind about how I want it to look. Not just small changes, but big full layout changes. I get discouraged when ever new ideas pop-up in my mind because changing your flash site is a really long process. I start and then have a new idea all the time. Am I alone in this world when it comes to this? What are steps people take to plan out a flash site and make sure they stick with it?

Appleseed

[DDD]

what I do is start by drawing it on paper. That way you can erase all you want. When I get a good concept I do a mock up in my favorite photo editor. No code just a straight image. By then you should be through all your variations. From there I plan based on my image. If you change after all that....you should seek help you probably have A.D.D. heehee just joking.But if you go thru this process it allows for many mind changes without sacrificing project timelines.

[Ranoka]

I think thats why tutors try and get us to do lots of ideas before we chose and develop one. Its to help prevent thinking of something better later on.

But it's inevitable, and as your ability improves, you're bound to want to improve your online portfolio. Maybe the best thing you can do, is think of more ideas and develop a few of then before focusing on one, that way you might prevent wanting to start again so soon after.

I would also find someone that you're comfortable showing your early work, and asking them for constructive criticism and feedback. This can be valuable. I would also show them the work occasionally while you're working on it too, to help you get it working best as possible.

Relating this to flash sites... I haven't actually made a flash site yet... but I would hope I apply similar methods

[ratbaggy]

If your ideas are developing, it's not a bad thing, but you really should commit yourself to one idea, work it till you can push it no further (on paper), get on computer and begin making/building it, then complete it.

It's about being passionate about your idea before you commit/begin making it on comp. Working stuff out on paper is a great place to start. More often than not even after this stage, your developed ideas will grow more detailed/creative/structured/functional (this is a healthy part of the creative process). Mistakes happen, sometimes they work, sometimes they don't.

Otherwise you'll have a heap of unfinished, and no actual website. :( There is no harm in having a heap of ideas for websites, but don't try to incorporate everything into one site.

I'm sure we've all been in a similar place, especially making personal folios, they are the hardest thing to make.

[DDD]

that is true I have a whole directory of unfinished ideas and stuff (artwork, 3d, layouts) I tend to revisit them....never throw away your work either. Even if you dump a concept keep it somewhere. The biggest thing I try to get new guys to understand is that "You Have To Know When To Put The Brushes Down". Meaning you have to consider a piece done and move on. I used to get stuck on pieces for a long time because I always thought I can make it better. But that is very counter-productive. Its called moving from concept to production.

[RenaissanceGirl]

When I'm fresh out of ideas, I usually step back, watch a little TV or movie, go to an art exhibit and usually a great idea finds me.

[ratbaggy]

actually this would be a good moment to suggest something I have thought for a long time would be a beneficial use of forums such as kirupaforum.com.

Basically, it's an online creative bouncing board, it's essentially a chat with a drawing board on side for sketching/drawing over images/layouts. It's for the community to access ensentially a creative community online. An individual could offer there inital concept, sketches, nav plans etc, get feedback and constructive crits, in next to real time.

what do y'all think?

[Appleseed]

Thanks everyone!

[ratbaggy]

Glad to help Appleseed.

:beam:

did everyone miss my suggestion above? :( :beam:

[Laslett]

Originally posted by ratbaggy
actually this would be a good moment to suggest something I have thought for a long time would be a beneficial use of forums such as kirupaforum.com.

Basically, it's an online creative bouncing board, it's essentially a chat with a drawing board on side for sketching/drawing over images/layouts. It's for the community to access ensentially a creative community online. An individual could offer there inital concept, sketches, nav plans etc, get feedback and constructive crits, in next to real time.

what do y'all think?

An Ideas pool for when there too much chlorine in your own and it hurts your eyes

[ratbaggy]

Originally posted by Laslett
An Ideas pool for when there too much chlorine in your own and it hurts your eyes

You is an tilly pool (read: silly fool) :P