I’m coming up with a new design for one of our websites and am running into a snag. I started work on it more today, looking through the web for more ideas, trying some on my own, but nothing. I have a basic skeletal structure, but that’s it. My mind is shooting me blanks.
Part of the dilemma: I could spend time pouring over other sites in our industry, which I have done yesterday for a bit, but promptly stopped. I realized something. How can I make a website that stands out from the rest if it looks just like the rest? I’m not talking about going totally crazy and creating something unrecognizable, but at least something with its own look.
Maybe I should draw inspiration elsewhere from more unlikely sources such as life experience, or something even as obscure as a restaurant menu or a really neat building. Strange, yes, but different, and possibly refreshing, nonetheless. That’s my say of the moment. I’m sure something will come to me soon. Perhaps its best for me not to think about it too hard.
April 19th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Hans
For what it’s worth, I ask clients to do a google/technorati search in their own industry and tell me what sites they like and why. That often gives me a clue as to what they will be happy to have as their own site. May not be the smartest marketing, but if you are marketing to people with similar interests and goals it might work.
Des
April 20th, 2007 at 8:32 am
I was looking through some sites within the field, but an assessment of the key parts that I like does sound like a good start. I have some general direction now. It is just putting it all together in a nice package that will take time. For now, I will draw up a set of goals and purposes and work from there. Thanks for the suggestion!