A bit of inspiration

[theonemanyuri]

www.csszengarden.com - I'd be surprised if this isn't linked somewhere on the forum already because it is such a good site, but I thought I'd share just incase.

CSS Zen Garden is a collection of sites submitted by people, all of which use exactly the same HTML coding, to show that you can make dramatically different sites just by changing the CSS in the stylesheet.

I've recently got into coding and would encourage others who use programs and site builders to try it, with practice it doesn't take long to learn the basics. At the very least you can go through the code created by your site builder and delete the masses of bloated and unnecessary coding. The more efficient the code, the better the loading times, the easier it is in terms of SEO and the more pleasing it is to visit.

I'm working on my first semi decent site at the moment that I've typed out completely from scratch, it gives me alot more satisfaction to look at than others I've made on sitebuilders!

Out of interest how many people on here code their websites, and to what extent?

 

[Ashton]

Hey, I live web design Its my first career and will be my last career at this rate (I love it!)

Css zen garden isn't so good for web design inspiration. In my view anyway. It is entirely focused on css which is not the only tool in a designer's box. The best design comes from harmoniously utilising css, xhtml, js and naturally photoshop.

I would advise you to look at a site like bestwebgallery and look at the comments on the sites if your looking for inspiration.

Having said that, css zen garden shows some nice use of css, nothing ground breaking though because they dont allow css3

 

[theonemanyuri]

Hey dude, glad to hear it! I didn't mean it to give inspiration as such as the designs on the whole look quite clipart focused and pretty basic, I just wanted to emphasize the variation you can create with purely coding. I think too many people are reliant on graphics for all aspects of visuals.

I do agree though that you need to use everything to make really complete sites (except js as I don't know anything about!) and ye css zen garden should get with the times and open up to css3. I don't think anyone has uploaded a new design to the site in quite a while..

I'll check out bestwebgallery now. Have you got any good links for js tutorials?

 

[Ashton]

Hah yeah, some people are arguing that css3 will be the new photoshop. I think eventually a lot of graphics will be created by code due to the accuracy, anyway, onto JS

JS is useful for a lot of things, however JS has a lot of libraries which make things much easier.

The top library, which is awesome and I use it in EVERY site I make is jquery.

Seriously, its amazing.

A lot of things people rely on flash to do, jquery can do, just look at this for an example:

http://nivo.dev7studios.com/

More on jquery: http://jquery.com/


However, if you want to learn actual JavaScript (not jquery) then you can look at w3schools, it wont aid your design much in comparison to jquery and is more used by hard core front end coders.

 

[retired_member16]

I'd swear you two know each other

 

[theonemanyuri]

I wouldn't go as far as saying it will replace photoshop lol, but it's certainly blurring the lines.

So (bearing in mind I've never done anything at all with JS), jquery is still js or a different code completely? Or is jquery basically a collection of templates? I'm in work at the mo so haven't had time to research it.

I've just clicked on the nivo link... awesome! Really nice and easy to understand, I'll play with the code later

 

[theonemanyuri]

As far as I'm aware, we don't lol

 

[Ashton]

I wouldn't go as far as saying it will replace photoshop lol, but it's certainly blurring the lines.

So (bearing in mind I've never done anything at all with JS), jquery is still js or a different code completely? Or is jquery basically a collection of templates? I'm in work at the mo so haven't had time to research it.

I've just clicked on the nivo link... awesome! Really nice and easy to understand, I'll play with the code later

Jquery is a javascript library, it is completely built on javascript. Jquery code is how you make things happen with jquery.

Jquery converts your jquery code into really intense javascript. Ie, for 1 line of jquery code, it turns into hundreds of javascript lines. (sort of)

Jquery has plugins (like the nivo slider) which other people have made, though I make a lot myself, many designers just shove these pre-made plugins into their designs.

Have a look around and a play Im sure you will be converted to using jquery in every design.

 

[theonemanyuri]

I'm pretty impressd so far dude, it is something I'll be spending some time on for sure. Thanks for the explanations and links, very helpful!

 

[ngovgroup]

You two, had a meaningful conversation. lol.
Well, I'm still a newbie when it comes to web design. So far, I'm still using HTML, CSS, Javascript and Photoshop in my website.