This is the newly redesigned CWF site.

I started out chatting to other designers. Also, I dove into web design books that focused more on design practices and principles. While new to design the concept is not completely foreign to me. I wanted to balance my programming and design halves to make a better whole. Slowly, over the course of a few months, design light bulbs began to flicker in my mind. I was fascinated when I began seeing sites as complete bodies of art. I become mesmerized by sites that took a theme and flawlessly applied that theme into the site design. Design work aside, many of these designers employed innovative techniques in order to accomplish their goals within the confines of current technology.

I had two basic goals when I started the CWF redesign. First, I wanted a clean layout. Second, the layout had to have a fluid look about it. With those goals in mind I went looking for images that captured the essence of those two goals. Once I finished with that task I then began putting the puzzle pieces together. That’s where I employed many of the design and programming techniques that I’d picked up over the previous few months. I’m very happy with the end result.

I’ve seen many custom designed web sites that are just wonderful works of art. I admire designers who create beautiful web pages. One of my favorite sites is CSS Zen Garden (http://www.csszengarden.com/). Visit the site to see a few wonderful artists and their themes. The thing I love the most about excellent designs is the cohesiveness that exists throughout the site. They have a constant and meaningful theme. That’s the type of designer you want when you’re trying to sell a company or product image! Someone who understands how the pieces fit to make the whole.

On the flip side of web design we have development and programming. That’s the background stuff that makes the web go. Things like XHTML, CSS, JavaScript are different programming languages to have in a programmer’s toolbox. Even with the best software design packages available it’s still best to know and understand the underlying technology. And to utilize the latest technologies programmer’s have to know how to make that technology work. Think of web design as a fashion show and the craziness going on behind the scenes as the programmers. We write the code and the scripts that makes those beautiful sites function properly.

Personally I come from a programming background. My 10 year career as a programmer/analyst gave me the opportunity to focus on programming. Part of that programming revolved around creating and building software for corporate web environments. Unfortunately, these sorts of environments are notorious for being all about structure, and completely nil in terms of design aesthetics. Everyone knows that it’s all about the bottom line when dealing with these people. I suppose if you’re slowly sucking the life force out of people you really don’t care what’s emanating from their monitors. Just keep that productivity coming and it’s all good!

On a happier note, I no longer work for the dark forces, and I get to let my creativity run loose. Since making the transition to full-time web design I’ve read book after book to enhance my design skills. I’ve also spoke with other designers and teachers on the specific subjects of CSS and design. It’s a fascinating subject to me and I feel like I’ll be more well rounded as a web designer.

So what’s your story? Are you just starting out or are you a battle tested coder? Leave a comment and share your ideas (or links to your site) so that you can influence others with your work.