How do you go about designing a template? (Creative Process)

Hi guys, well I've been designing for quite a while, but I really want to improve my work more, How do you guys go about coming up with ideas, do you make a sketch on paper?, or do you do whatever you've come up with in your head?

Also how do you guys meet deadlines, its really frustrating for me especially custom work, because of the customers expectations, I personally have this problem about 3times a week, I get stressed out thinking about creating something spectacular every time even if it means its a simple design, How do you go about creating something different every time? I feel like I've done nearly everything, It's hard for me to think of new fresh ideas..

Anyways I would really appreciate if some of you guys could share your methods/experiences..

Thanks for all your time!

 

Hey!

Ali! Yeah i also do agree about the problem you facing in begineer level! that problem commonly took place but all you need to do that start searching more about your nearest keywords throught best search engines! you may get almost a better idea! Which will help you to execute your rest of process.


Cheers!

Jez

 

There is some element of technique but to be honest I think there is a significant amount of natural ability in this area.

If I give one of my developers and my designer a design both can create a xHTML/ CSS template from it in about the same time and generally the developers is smaller/ more efficient

Give both a blank sheet of paper and a brief instead and the designer typically is much quicker and produces a much better look (but the developer will point out that their code could be improved on )

Are you designing for yourself or clients? If it is the latter then put as much as possible on them to narrow down the scope. We use a questionnaire which asks for style (formal/ informal, friendly/ informative), colour schemes, sites they love, sites they hate and why plus comments on a number of chosen sites.

 

I've been using CSS only, & now after reading some fireworks sliding tutorials, I found it easier and less time consuming.

Create design and slice (fireworks) ===then===>> code (valid xhtml/css)

 

You can see this, CSS tests and experiments:
brunildo.org/test

 

Thanks guys, some great stuff :}. Oh and yeah I do design for clients most of the time, people who get work done from me are generally really happy with the results, I personally am not 100% satisfied with what I create most of the times since I gotta work quick.. As for CSS/XHTML I still gotta learn =/ I'm really hoping by the end of this month I'll have much more experience in designing, and gathering information quickly and applying that to design.. I think thats the problem I seem to have the most..

 

Here is a link for you
http://ww.cssplay.co.uk

 

hand drawn sketches -> fireworks -> xhtml css