Topic: designers block

hi there i run my own web design/development business and i am suffering from designers block - like writters block - which is no good since i am trying to update my site 10/6 Web Solutions.

anyone got any eye candy sites that they look at regularily??? any ideas on how to get the creative juices flowing????

thanks in advance

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First of all, there is no such thing as "designers block" or "writers block" for that matter. Unless you're depressed, but that's just depression.

What's really wrong here is that you don't know what you want. This creates a paradox as in context the term 'design' is typically a solution to a problem, but you don't even have a problem, so how can you design?

So, what you need to do is go problem hunting. For starters, ask yourself what you have to design. Think broad, eg:

I need to design a web site.
What's this web site need to do?
It should showcase the company portfolio.
....
.......

Who's going to view this website?
What kind of websites will they typically frequent?
What forms of navagation will they be comfy with?
Male for female?
Nationality?
Age?
Marrital status?
Income?
Holden or Ford? (No no, I'm serious, if you can definatly say one or the other write it down, it'll help)
...


I could go on for pages and pages, but when you actually start writing this shit down and answering the questions, things just start to fall into place.

Trying to find inspiration by looking at other web designs usually produces shitty results, and bad habbits. Design isn't about eye candy, it's about well, design. Need feeds function and from function flows form. (Say that 10 times fast!) On a don't design on screen. Design on paper. Always start with a pencil and paper, los of paper. This has a two fold gain. Firstly, it breaks the mold and frees you from any program specific constraints or habbits. Secondly, if you use a visual diary you also build up a record of visual ideas and develop a visual language you can refer back to later when you're having slow days.

You might also want to try reading up on some design theory. Line, form, shape, point, space etc... Might help to get the barin juice flowing again.

thats one of the most influencial speeches that i have heard, not even my old teachers could top that one.!!

you really opened my eyes to the whole problem, i think cause i have had 5 or less hours sleep every night for the last 2 weeks could be adding to my problem..

where abouts in brisbane you from???

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--------------ONLY 2 LEFT!!!--------------

Need a web site made? or an existing site updated? maybe you're looking for a fresh start for your site? I am looking to update my web portfolio and I want YOU! I now only have 2 FREE* places available - for a limited time only...

Visit 10/6 Web Solutions today for more details!

* - some restrictions apply

Wow, that's great!

Thanks, you've helped me out on all of the websites I'm making.

I was too busy focusing on how I coul be making them easier, I didn't think of what people going there wanted, or how they wanted to get to it!

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funny websites | funny signatures | funny jokes

Ozone Asylum KILLED my inner child.

You should be charging for advice like that Cameron. Very well said.

Ramasax

Well, I had some good teachers. They were really tough, but good. And whenever I did anything average I'd get my arse kicked, or worse - they wouldn't give me any feeedback at all. That's when I knew I'd really blown it.

thanks cameron, i am now fully cured, new site up and running smoothly, i even use what you posted above in all aspects of my work now

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in my other life, i'm a writer. i shall never again, from this day forth, blame my creative stagnance on 'writers block' hehe ... thanks cameron!

and the site's looking good, kronk. simple and functional ... =)

[insert fabulous sig here]