Creativity process?

**Fidelity88** · September 2nd, 2004, 01:00 PM

Hello everyone! Im a fairly new programmer and flash MX user. I have a question though, if someone wants you to build them a website or in any web building situation how do you begin the design process? Do you draw out a web page or what? Sometimes I just get stuck. Thanks a Lot!
Fidelity!

billystar · September 2nd, 2004, 01:04 PM

well yeh...i personally do layouts or just concepts in photoshop, like my post above... the criteria you judge the site by differ tho....

in my post above im trying to gauge an overall style, (colour, emotion)... the usability side..layout, typography, menu all come later for me...

i think your approach differs slightly dependant on the client's requirements. some sites are purely text information based, so you have to have a slightly different cap on

hope this helps

**jimhere** · September 2nd, 2004, 01:16 PM

You should ask them if there are any sites out there that they already like. Then you can have a starting point (organic vs. tech, water vs. metal, red vs. blue, flat vs. rendered, etc). Especially if it's for money (don't want to keep re-doing it).

**DDD** · September 2nd, 2004, 01:29 PM

I have a questionaire I have clients fillout. Always ask for their preferences color, size...blah. Alo ask them to send you any sites they enjoyed or like. Always be inquisitive.

**DariusMonsef** · September 2nd, 2004, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by EthanM

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 just the perfect temp. So I heat them for 2:30 on power 5 in the microwave. I then take out of my box of crayons and 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.

http://www.kirupaforum.com/forums/ne...reply&p=550654
Similar Thread.

**DDD** · September 2nd, 2004, 01:45 PM

lol.../\ /\

**Ryall** · September 2nd, 2004, 02:41 PM

the best way to begin with any client is to ask a lot of questions... as said: color choices, goal, what the client feels is the overall image portrayed by the company, logos, typo in use on products, always ask for as many brochures/flyers/advertisements as possible it really helps you to get a sense of the style that has been portrayed in the past. Oh, and always ask about budget - dont want to spend a month on a killer design and realize the guy only has a few hundrend to spend.

In a nut shell: the more questions you ask and the more dialogue you have with a new client at the begining of the project the smoother everything will go!

peace

**Fidelity88** · September 2nd, 2004, 04:44 PM

Hey thanks everyone for the hints and stuff. Do you guys usually look at a lot of good websites for ideas also? And are most of you artist ( as in pencil and paper stuff or paint) ?
Thanks a Lot
Fidelity

**simplistik** · September 2nd, 2004, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by Fidelity88

Hey thanks everyone for the hints and stuff. Do you guys usually look at a lot of good websites for ideas also? And are most of you artist ( as in pencil and paper stuff or paint) ?
Thanks a Lot
Fidelity

All that really depends on your style and how you get inspiration.

Honestly I try not to look at to many sites when designing a site, as I want to try and always bring something new and original to the table... w/o the possibility of rippin someone off unintentionally. If you ask them for sites that's always good cause you need to know what feel they want, but even so I always get the idea down but after that I don't really reference them afterwards... that way I can let my creative juices bring it all together.

**rdj** · September 2nd, 2004, 05:05 PM

and after you have spoken with the client and agreed on how it should look, you should always make sketches of possible layouts and even explain possible animations you think would look good, a client should alwasy listen to a designer since it's the designers profession, unfortunatly a lot of clients know 100% want they want even tho it might look awfull...

oh and if a client isnt sure about what colors he wnat make a dozen or what possible color schemes too and it's alwasy good to give your sketches soem color with soem good markers.

**DDD** · September 2nd, 2004, 05:11 PM

I try not to be a "1 trick Pony" as well. I can do traditional art, 2d/3d animation, Modelling, Programming (server/client). Photoshop, vector, Some flash. It always pays to wear more than one hat.

**ratbaggy** · September 2nd, 2004, 07:28 PM

I just use the creativity plugin

**jimhere** · September 2nd, 2004, 09:21 PM

What if the creativity plugin is in demo mode? Where can I get a real serial number without paying the high cost of creativity?

**DariusMonsef** · September 2nd, 2004, 11:47 PM

Serial and warez talk like that isn't allowed here. I might have to ban you.

**amitgeorge** · September 3rd, 2004, 12:27 AM

Originally Posted by DDD

I have a questionaire I have clients fillout. Always ask for their preferences color, size...blah. Alo ask them to send you any sites they enjoyed or like. Always be inquisitive.

hey can i take a peek at your questionare ?