Initial layout design - How do you do it?

[Ordinathorreur]

I'm just about to start building a website for a client (first paying one woohooo!)

I am wondering how you guys go about starting an initial layout design?

-Do you grab a pen and paper, maybe a couple of coloured pencils?
-Do you do it in Photoshop and port it over?
-Do you do it straight into flash and then work on the graphics later?
-Do you look at other sites?
-Do you delve into a couple of design books?

Anyway, tell me how you get to your initial concept... I'm listening...

[RabBell]

pen and paper first and then I start messing around with Photoshop

[Jasninder]

i look at similar types of sites, the graphics to be used in the site (material, profucts etc) then i get on with pen and paper planning...after that i get on photoshop..slicing...editing...adding graphics...on to dreamweaver...done!!

[DeadSkinMask]

Well, it would be a good start to look at the company itself, what service do they offer?, company colours, the style of the company. Then look at other web sites and companies that deal with the same type of service, and look at how they've approached their design, taking into consideration the whole design style, fonts, colours.

Try and draw inspriration from these factors (without blatantly copying them). Also look at factors associated and relating to the company and their products / services.

I try and do this before I even sit down with a pencil and paper, just to try and get a feel of what the comapny may be after.

Although this might not make much sense 'cause Ive had a few beers (and after Englands performance, I need it)

But there you go.

[wizard]

I found it very difficult to jump into Flash and then work on the graphics. Pencil and paper should be a good start.

[DariusMonsef]

I take my design monkey out of his cage and let him run around the room for say 10-13 minutes. He works best after he's exercised a bit. Then I give him some warm banannas. He's so spoiled, he likes it jsut the parfect temp. So I heat them for 2:30 on power 5 in the microwave. I then take out of my box of crayons the colors the client wants to use and I let the monkey go to town. He can have a whole lay-out done it about half an hour.

[wizard]

I take my design monkey out of his cage and let him run around the room for say 10-13 minutes. He works best after he's exercised a bit. Then I give him some warm banannas. He's so spoiled, he likes it jsut the parfect temp. So I heat them for 2:30 on power 5 in the microwave. I then take out of my box of crayons the colors the client wants to use and I let the monkey go to town. He can have a whole lay-out done it about half an hour. :huh: So your monkey does all the work?

[DariusMonsef]

No... I take him out of the cage. I heat his banannas. I buy the crayons and let him watch planet of the apes every Friday. I do a lot of work.

[wizard]

No... I take him out of the cage. I heat his banannas. I buy the crayons and let him watch planet of the apes every Friday. I do a lot of work.Hmmm... I see, *note to self: Purchase monkey*

[evolution]

Ya.....other then the whole monkey idea...lol.
Just start by looking at the client and what they need, write down everything they say. Then get out some pen and pad, then go crazy drawin out like 10 different designs, and then choose the best and fine tune it in Photoshop/Fireworks. And either slice and use Dreamweaver/Frontpage or go into Flash and finish it up.

[Ordinathorreur]

So Pen and paper is the way to go I guess....

[RabBell]

pretty hi-tec stuff eh ;)

[SureShot]

As a teacher in college used to tell us all the time "thumbnails thumbnails thumbnails"

They are your best friend. It can save you a few horrid hours at the computer if you have a layout in mind first. It's a good practice to get into to have a pen and paper with you at all times.

And Ethen - that was **** funny :P And I agree, you do have to do a lot of work! :D