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Original Designs


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#1 Cyrogenic

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Posted 11 November 2003 - 09:03 PM

Ok, I'm new here, but not to art or anything. I do it for fun, but I don't want people accusing me of using somebody else's art. Talk about shaming!

I do some web design, but I've never competed in an event, because, unlike art, it seems as though it is much harder to come up with an original design. In art, a different image can convey a whole different emotion and feeling, but in a webpage (especially those "functional" ones instead of "artistic" sites), it seems as though the options are limited to what has been done before.

In art, an artists imagination defines WHAT he will do, as well as how good it is and the particular images. In a webpage, the function defines what you do, so the only way the imagination can shine through is in the style, not the form of it. Or so it seems. IFrames help a bit though, since they aren't "bound" like regular frames.

So I was wondering, how do you make a site that isn't like others? How do you use your imagination and still reach the goal? I mean, I don't want to put work into a design, and then have people say I stole it, you know?

Just wondering... B)
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#2 wirewool

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Posted 12 November 2003 - 11:38 AM

imagination! ;)
simple as that, you are only constrained, as in art, by your own abilities, knowledge and imagination

alot of web design is for commercial use therefore something tried and tested can work better
and not everyone is willing to chance breaking rules to create a more experimental site incase they lose potential customers.
i think some personnel, non-commercial and even commercial sites do experiment and try to push bounderies-
just come across this- http://www.sofake.com/
which i thought was great.
also try-
http://www.billybussey.com/800.html
-takes awhile to load though!
http://www.danyboy.com/
http://www.2advanced.com/
http://lifeinvector.com/

your best bet is to check out as many sites as poss then u can gauge whats been done- and what hasnt
check what all the design houses are doing- then out do them!
i would say get into flash as the majority of innovative sites are created in it and also 3d is something u could look into.

#3 Cyrogenic

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Posted 12 November 2003 - 11:34 PM

True, true all of it.

But a lot of those sites are artistic sites. What about for a business? I see some out there, and a lot are different.

I avoid Flash if at all possible, but even with Javascript, the originality just doesn't seem to be out there anymore. :)
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#4 Fofo

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Posted 13 November 2003 - 10:25 AM

hmm I think you're experiencing it because of a personal artistblock.

Just look at 2advanced, and how they time after time come up with a new fresh and innovative killerdesign.
And a lot of them are for businesses.

But personally I think you should try to avoid watching other sites as much as possible when designing one.
All it does is limit your creativity by having yourself wondering wether or not you're getting too inspired or not.
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#5 Cyrogenic

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Posted 13 November 2003 - 10:31 PM

True, true.

Unfortunately, my connection crashed after trying the second so I was unable to view the others...

What I mean is, for lets say a really simple layout, not flash or anything. The company wants a simple topbar/leftbar setup. What can you do? Sure, I can make buttons, javascript controls, everything. But how can you make it original?
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#6 wirewool

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Posted 13 November 2003 - 11:49 PM

well if a company wants a "simple topbar/leftbar setup", just give them that! ;)
if u want to create original work YOU will tell the company what they gonna get not them telling u.
like been said b4, just use ur imagination,
experiement, go mad!!!!!!!!!
no tutorial for being original
u either are or u aint B)

#7 Cyrogenic

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Posted 14 November 2003 - 07:26 PM

Well, I didn't mean a tutorial, I meant more of how do you look objectively at sites and not copy them... :D
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#8 Nova

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Posted 16 November 2003 - 07:46 AM

Okay, this is what I do when I can't think of anything or have one of those stupid artistblocks... I visit sites like spoono.com and get tons of links to other artists and companies. Then I look at their design elements and technique and try them out for myself. Then I just experiment and play with the idea. Let your imagination go wild.

Also, experience brings many lessons. :)
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#9 OWD

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Posted 17 November 2003 - 11:27 AM

I always hate it when other people trash flash... 85% of the computer population has the plugin installed. And you can export to animated .gif for picky people. Flash isn't that bad guys....PNG transparency...ANIMATION..... Flash is the future of web design.

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#10 miao

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Posted 17 November 2003 - 12:34 PM

I am not against flash, however people abuse of it. To much people use flash without knowing it. Flash is a powerful thing but only for who can really use it.
Quite always an intro in flash is unuseful, but clients ask for it. Only a few percent of the user see the intros, often they just click on skip intro.

You have also to consider the limits of Flash. Up to Flash 5 it was impossible to use Flash for a man with physical problems. With Flash MX the files are readable also by the special browsers for blind person, however you have to program the movie to make that, and nobody make it, too long and boring.

If a site is made for graphical purposes you can use flash without problems, however if the site is of public utility you have to think also to blind persons and other less lucky people.

Flash is not the future, it is only a part of it.







With respect to the original topic, I have not a great experience in the layout design, however I try to be as more original as possible.
You can make great and original templates but when you design a page you have to think also to the users.
Try making the website and then ask to some friends to try it. Maybe it is better if someone has a low knowledge of the computer.
If they can visit all the website without problem is a good design.

Iframe are a nice thing, however some people is still using old browser. A good solution is to make a large use of CSS

#11 Cyrogenic

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Posted 17 November 2003 - 02:55 PM

Thanks Miao!


And @ OWD: I wasn't trashing Flash, I just don't know it :D
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#12 OWD

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Posted 24 November 2003 - 10:24 AM

Miao... flash automaticly generates a tag with all the text used in the movie. Is that what you're refering to? Or should I be including something else? Good insight.
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#13 basicconcept

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Posted 22 December 2003 - 06:28 AM

try a design challenge? theater style site or organic style,my freinds and i do music challenges, a movie score for someone waking up from a coma? weird but good creative outlet.one was beats with steel drums. i wish i was better at site design!just an idea!:rolleyes:




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