Steve’s blog

I’ve been a bit shy in terms of posting, but I’m happy to say that I’ve been working on two websites and at this point, they are both finished. Both websites, have external media, internal and external links and internal and external style sheets. I found that CSS wasn’t as complex as I thought, even though I still have a LOT to learn. I feel as though I’m using div tags far too much. Firefox has a handful of add-ons for browsing the web. One of those add-ons is the web designers toolbar, which allows you to disable all styles and view your pages as static text and images. I find that a well designed website is one that still takes on a clean appearance and reads well even with the CSS disabled. However, my sites don’t read as well without the CSS. Perhaps that the way they are layered (z-index). I felt as though the process, as well as the class was definitely a success. However, I obviously want to learn more on the subject, so I don’t turn out to be a drag-and-drop designer.

well it’s time. I have a handful of websites that at this point, I wanted to redesign. Some of them are sites that I’ve created while learning a design program (which never turns out well imo.) and others just need some updating. I stopped using dreamweaver back in 2004, right about when XHTML and CSS were really starting to come to the forefront. So, taking this class is only going to aid in redesigns. I would really like to redesign at least two, but I’m scared that once all of the CSS terminology starts to catch up with me, I might come across more problems than I think..which will eventually lead to more unfinished products. This week I’m going to get started with CSS tutorials as well as touching up some fireworks skills. Since dreamweaver and fireworks have always been a great pair in the web design world and I haven’t used dreamweaver in a while, I’m a bit rusty with fireworks as well. This week I’m going to start working on a redesign the website I built for the modernist designer, El Lissitsky. I already have some ideas, so less words and more …

www.amazon.com

Ok stop. I know that was predictable, but I don’t have a lot of time and want to mention it. I buy almost everything off of amazon.com and I’ve never had any trouble navigating my way through the site. With so much information on an e-commerce site such as amazon, it becomes extremely complicated to make sure that all of the parts work. Even when I occasionally walk away from my computer while ordering something or surf my way to another site to check a price/information about the product, I just can’t get lost. I find amazon to be idiot-proof, but stupid people do exist…and smart people do stupid things somethings. Time to go.

www.pentagram.com The new (at this point old) design of Petagrams website is a constant reminder to me that unless executed well, complexity in a website can distort the message that one is trying to communicate. Pentragram has a long history of being at the cutting edge of design in a number of different mediums. With a portfolio such as theirs, it was possible to design a website without insane graphics flying all over the place resembling a movie trailer or selling the company with impressive new web technologies. But instead, they decided to keep it simple. Not to bore you with another cliché but the work sells itself.The first page of Petagrams website gives you a beautiful logo and an option to choose the language you prefer. Already you have the sense that the firm has international experience. When entering the site, you’re greeted with an abundance of one of the most unused tools as a designer: white space. The site seems a bit primitive at first, but the navigation, typography, color choice, grid and information seems very well thought out. The simplicity gives the site a sense of elegance and maturity. I can find all of the information I need/want about the firm without having to worry about images/graphics with large file sizes or a change in primary navigation. The splash/intro page is simple and oddly enough can be navigated back to. I recommend you check out their website and explore their work or contact them and apply for a job. Chances are you won’t get hired but will still like their website.

This is my first Blog…ever. So we’ll see how it goes.