Web Design 101 (Halp)

[p0lar_bear]

Okay, so. I've got my website, live. It's running on Joomla 1.5.

I want to make my own template for my site. I like Joomla's stock template, however, it's stock. First thing someone will think looking at it is "what an uncreative, lazy fuck this guy is." Same goes for templates I could download for free; the good-looking ones are popular, so I wouldn't be the only person using them.

Problem is, I AM horrid at drawing up concepts from absolute scratch. I can code XHTML/CSS and PHP no problem, but that's only if I have a design and framework to go by. Seems that one must be born an artist; I lack the ability to look around and see inspiration everywhere. I look "inside" myself, and see nothing, just black. I can't coordinate colors past the same hue. I am the least creative person I know. :(

So, I'm completely lost. I don't even know where to begin with making a concept. Where do I start? What do I consider? What are common mistakes/faux-pas in designing that a yutz like me would repeat?

HOW DO I MAEKD WEBSITE? :saddowns:

[Kalub]

Ask jcap.


Problem Solved

[CN3089]

I can't coordinate colors past the same hue.


http://colorschemedesigner.com/

hope this (unironically) helps~

also, light text on dark background supremacy

[sdavis117]

I usually go with a dark background with light text.

I also usually make my menu bars blend into the background, so that you only see the text.

This also reminds me. I have to learn PHP sometime. I only know XHTML/CSS.

[TheGhost]

http://colorschemedesigner.com/

hope this (unironically) helps~

also, light text on dark background supremacy

Hey, this is a really cool link, thanks. *bookmarks*

Time for some Modacity skins? heh

[klange]

Um... I have experience with such matters...

[Kalub]

HE LIEZ!



No really, ask jcap.

[p0lar_bear]

I did, and I couldn't get much out of him, just that whatever palette I use should be contrasted well enough.

I'm thinking of using a glassy blue theming, but what my major problem with designing is that I'd like to innovate, but I know damn well anything I come up with will have been done before, or will look butt-ugly/be clunky as hell if it's something new. Glass is pleasing to the eye, but I'm just afraid that glass has been done to death, and will still procure the same "heh, look at dis uncreative scrub" thoughts as using the stock or popular custom skins.

[sdavis117]

How about the opposite? Something like a rocky yet smooth texture with some scratches in it.

[Kalub]

Glossy/Glassy/Simplistic/Cool Colors with some contrast/Straight to the Point/Creative ways of explaining yourself/Simple Navigation/Cross browser-support/well optimized images


I could think up stuff all day, dude, just go out and freely explore the internet. You'll find a lot of things. Check out pixel2life, good-tutorials, tutorialized for some guides and goto tips and tricks


Here are some I like:
hp.com
alienware.com
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/

[Snowy]

I recommend this site: http://kuler.adobe.com/

Having colors in the same hue isn't a bad thing. If you're having trouble finding inspiration, sometimes it's just best not to look for inspiration. When finally find something you like, you end up trying to make it look too much like what you saw, comparing it to the original, and not being satisfied because it doesn't look as good as the piece that inspired you to do it.