Curtis & Meredith Hannah are in the process of adopting their first baby. I created a blog for them to share their story with their family & friends.
This site was created using the WordPress blogging platform. I created a custom plaid background and header to match the color scheme of their nursery. All graphics were created using Jasc Paint Shop Pro 8.
Visit the site: CurtisJHannah.com
We have added our Photo Cards & Announcements page to the site. We are testing the waters to see if the need/want for these services exist. I will be adding new Photo Card Designs to the page in the coming days.
Head on over to check out the set of Birth announcements that I created today: Photo Cards & Announcements.
This is the first in a series of blog posts that I will be publishing over the next few days in the “Website Planning” section of my site. The design process from start to finish for the client can be fairly simple.
The series is based on a list of choices that need to be made when you are choosing to have a blog or website created for you. If you make your decisions before contacting the designer(s) of your choice, the process should go much smoother and quicker.
I create custom designs here at Designs By Gypsy; no two website will look just a like. There are a few basic elements that most every website has. I have created the following images to help those who maybe having a website created for the first time and to allow them to simply tell their designer how they would like the basic elements laid out in their design.
Header Can consist of graphics and/or text, logo and navigational links
Content This is the main part of the site where your content will be placed.
Sidebar This is optional. You can have one sidebar on the left or right side of the page; or you may have two sidebars with one on each side of the content section.
Footer This usually contains a copyright notice, credit links to web designer, quick access contact link, etc.
2 Column, Left Sidebar |
2 Column, Right Sidebar |
|
2 Column, Left Sidebar w/ Footer |
2 Column, Right Sidebar w/ Footer |
 3 Column |
 3 Column w/ Footer |
This is a series of blog posts that I will be publishing over the next few days in the “Website Planning” section of my site. The design process from start to finish for the client can be fairly simple.
The series is based on a list of choices that need to be made when you are choosing to have a blog or website created for you. If you make your decisions before contacting the designer(s) of your choice, the process should go much smoother and quicker.
1. Design Worksheet – Layout Options
2. Design Worksheet: Color Scheme Options
3. Design Worksheet: Branding & Logo
4. Design Worksheet: Navigation & Pages
5. Design Worksheet: Hosting & Domain
6. Design Worksheet: Maintenance
7. Design Worksheet: Content
If you have a blog or want to start a blog, you will need to have some essential software tools to maintain the site. If you would like to make a few updates or changes to your blog without having to pay for the maintenance, you can use these FREE tools. If you are a beginner, don’t be afraid to do a little bit of research to learn to make these changes or additions yourself.
The following tools are for Windows users (some can be used for Mac users as well, just check out the specifics on the websites before downloading).
Crimson Editor is a professional source code editor for Windows. This software offers many powerful features for programming languages such as HTML, C/C++, Perl and Java. Other features include undo/redo, user tools, macros, spell checker and more.
File Zilla is a full featured, high quality FTP program. If you plan on uploading things to your website (like images, music, movies, wordpress, anything) you need a FTP client. Using your web-browser is not a good idea. This program works on all three platforms, and works very well.
GIMP is the GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a freely distributed piece of software for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. It works on many operating systems, in many languages.
For the Photoshop lovers, there is a Photoshop Mod at gimpshop.com.
If you are going to be doing anything on the web, you will need a good web browser. Something other than internet explorer. I highly recommend firefox, which you can get by clicking here www.GetFirefox.com.
Make sure your website looks good in all web browsers. The easiest way to do this is install several web browsers on your computer. If there is a browser you cannot use, just check out the following site when you are done: www.browsershots.org. The browser shots website will show you what your website looks like on multiple operating systems, with multiple browsers, and with different versions of those browsers.
