how to design a template?

how to design a template? what program to use to design a template? and i would like to know what type of file for template. thanks any good resource to learn about it?

 

PhotoShop and a keyboard :]

 

If you're looking to create templates for sales, you need to have a thorough understanding of:

- web usability
- graphic design concepts such as typography, color theory etc.
- photoshop
- flash and
- (X)HTML

 

A mouse would't go amiss.

 

Also you should have a basic text editor, like notepad.

Kyle

 

This is a great question! *goes to start own thread* I'll be offering a free link on my site for the first helpful answer. Rep added to OP for this question.

 

You'll need to design it in Photoshop or Fireworks (whichever you'd prefer) first,and then have it coded.

 

Flash isn't really nessesary to create normal templates.

I would suggest you create a template in photoshop and then slice it to XHTML/CSS or wordpress or wathever you want it to be.

 

Use Photoshop (or any other graphics program for that matter) to make the graphics needed, then don't slice it, instead you open a plain text editor (notepad works perfect) and start coding it up using html and css..

 

photoshop and notepad or crimson editor

 

nah. just use the arrows on your keyboard :]

 

how to slice it to XHTML/CSS...

what type of file to save in photoshop??

 

http://www.google.com/search?q=slic...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

 

Thanks for starting this thread. I was just wondering the same thing - now I'm going to go and practice and come back and tell you how it goes.

 

Well , if you want to make static web template then adobephotoshop is enough plus Adobe Illustrator for more enhance work.
if animation required then you can use Flash , dreamwever...... if you wana make LOGO of your then Corel Draw is best option.

 

Design in a graphics package of your choosing.
Code in a text editor of your choosing.
Don't use a WYSIWIG.

 

you don't need an understanding of Flash But you def. will need CSS.

If you're new to web design, which it seems you are, i'd try coffe cup html editor, it's probably the easiest to pick up and it won't have loads of features you don't need.

 

There's nothing wrong with DW anymore, as long as you know whats actually valid CSS Besides, it saves a ton of time when you're working with AJAX and PHP. I do get a bit confused by everyones apparent dislike of Dreamweaver, ok, it's a bit OTT for just html/css but when you have local and remote servers set up and start using XML and PHP it's an amazing tool thats actually worth the price, but thats just mho.

Edit: besides notepad2 is much better as it has line numbers, code syntax highllites etc etc.

 

I guess I just dislike it because I like to have more control over everything and coding gives me that. Also it's how I was taught.

 

Fair enough I use the Spry framework quite a lot and i've looked quite deeply into DW customisation, thats why I like it so much, it can be handy for quick visual learning too as in you remember the button and not the whole string of code in generates, then in time you know the code itself too.