Web Page Design Templates?

[Breaking Good]

I'm trying to map out how we want some of our pages to look on our website (literally the on page design). Is there an easy way to do this, other than using pen and paper? I've had a look but couldn't find anything like this

 

[fisicx]

Pen and paper.

But....

Don't even think about layouts until have got all the content and images, organised the structure, the navigation, calls to action and everything else.

Once you have all this you play with the layout.

And remember, you will need a range of layouts: PC, tablet and phone will all need to be considered. And the homepage may not look anything like the other pages, or a blog page or an admin page.

 

[Paul Murray]

^ What he said.

If you design layouts without content, you'll find yourself trying to create content that suits the layout, when it should be the other way around.

To answer your question, there are a number of online wireframing tools available, but you're better off with pen and paper. It's quicker and easier, and I often find using software encourages you to focus on things like fonts, sizes, etc, when you should be purely looking at a layout/scamp for your content.

 

[Annie Starks]

I've tried to find something to replace "pen and paper" as well, but in the end I decided that old "pen and paper" is less time consuming...

 

[VapeG]

Funny isn't it, how old tech beats new tech in a lot of situations

 

[garyk]

closest thing to pen and paper mockup on the web is balsamiq.com

 

[techsors]

You can use axure.com. We have been using it for quite a couple of years and it is really great.

 

[Page]

I'm trying to map out how we want some of our pages to look on our website (literally the on page design). Is there an easy way to do this, other than using pen and paper? I've had a look but couldn't find anything like this

Whereas I agree with some of the things that others have said I also don't

The problem with website stuff at a good level is that it all has to work together

It is one of those A affects B affects C affects D affects E - but E affects A and C - and when that happens C also affects A

So the best websites come from those that have a really good understanding of how all these bits interact together. See it as a tight spinning ball or loop.

But even so you still have to break that loop and the best way is just to get going and start somewhere / anywhere

What a good web person can do is help you because they understand better how all the different parts interact and affect each other

They can chat to you and start to understand the pull and play of different elements and so help you work out what is the best approach

But you can also help them by having ideas of how you think you want the web pages to look and feel etc

And if you are doing it yourself - then that is a great start point - but it might also be totally wrong for whatever reason - when you bring in other elements

 

[ebafy]

pen and paper

Nothing wrong with the 'good olde' pen and paper route, we stepped up a gear by using our whiteboard when clients come in

 

[swlondon]

have a look at themeforest for new ideas

 

[fisicx]

Worst advice ever. Never ever ever choose a theme and try to make your content fit. Always get the content sorted first and use this to determine the layout your customers need (which is often differet to what you want).

 

[TLMartin]

I'm always pen and paper initially with boxes (as I can't draw) then perhaps onto a screen with elements for a layout in something like publisher or illustrator depending on client, if I want something with a neater layout to show a client (although now I have the help of a designer, I tend to give them the paper copies and let them exercise their creative talents to get a visual back) LOL