Where do you guys start?

Aesir · May 4th, 2008, 20:27

I want to start putting my portfolio together and I was wondering where you guys start with regard to putting your site together?

I haven't actually built a website yet that is online or entirely my own work. Alot has been tutorials and stuff from the internet and magazines.

Now I have the task of putting my portfolio together I want to know how you guys like to start. Like a couple of sketches first on paper? Straight into photoshop and then slice it up? Code your page first and then style it after and redo things as necessary?

Basically where should I start?

saltedm8 · May 4th, 2008, 22:39

a photoshop design then slice sounds a good idea to start, but if you have never designed a site before, its not quite as easy as you may think, but we are here to help with your coding should you need it

Aesir · May 4th, 2008, 23:03

Ah I don't think it's easy and I have an idea of what i'm doing I just haven't put a site up all myself before. It's just been bits of code for other people and stuff like that.

So I figure I would now like to get one up myself.

welshstew · May 5th, 2008, 08:13

I always start with pencil and paper.

I sketch out the main areas, header, where I want my nav, etc then I make about 10 photocopies, sot hat I now have a design template.

After that I go crazy and see what looks good where, and make a sort of design collage until I come up with something that looks and feels right for the site.

Only then do I start going near a computer

Aesir · May 5th, 2008, 10:36

This is what I was thinking of doing. I think that would appeal most to me. I will get back to you guys for more help along the way as i'm sure I will run into problems somewhere.

shalom_m · May 5th, 2008, 14:01

If pencil and paper is what you feel most comfortable with - then so be it.

For most standard sites (Header; 1,2 or 3 column main area; footer) I tend to start coding first using different color backgrounds to get the general feel, then work on the graphic elements, menus etc....

Sometimes, especially if there is a very complex element that I have not done before, or that I do not know if it will work, I write that element first, test it and build the rest of the site around it.

Quote:

There is more than one way to skin a ____________
(insert whatever is politically, socially and morally correct for you.)

Aesir · May 5th, 2008, 14:14

All good advice. I think pen and paper will be best so I can refer to something as I am working to my own specs and not someone elses it has left me abit lost as to what I actually want done, if you see what I mean.

shalom_m · May 5th, 2008, 16:38

Browse other portfolio sites.
There are plenty of great ideas floating around.

mwdesign · May 5th, 2008, 20:10

Always start on paper so you know what you need to include in your site, so you don't get so far into the design stage and realise a whole new section needs to be included.

With the majority of sites, some pages are more complex / need to contain more / different information, so I would advise to always start coding your template to fit the most complex page, it makes work a lot easy when you only have to take elements away rather than trying to build them in afterwards.

mwdesign