FocusMinded.com

I have often been asked how I come up with design ideas, layout structure, and functionality options. Now while some of my ideas are completely unique, I have to admit that I get ideas from visiting other sites. Most good designers find sites they like and then critique the hell out of it. Basically the first thing I do when I go to any site is look it over for: design, colors, functionality, treats (those special niche things). Once I do that I ask myself what would I do different. At that point I can start making a mental list of the likes and dislikes of each site. Then when it comes time to design a site or create a layout structure I use that resource, screenshots, etc.

“Well isn’t that copying?”, they say. “No,” I reply. Everywhere you go, everything you see in some shape, fashion or form was created with elements from other things. If it isn’t broken, why try to fix it. Why re-invent the wheel if you don’t have to. With that said, I have to reiterate, “Do not clone!” There is where you draw the line.

So how do you find good site? Search engines? Friends? You can use any number of methods, but he best one I have found is by following links. Go from link to link to link, site to site to site. I can not tell you how valuable this technique is. You will run into sites that not only help designing, but are quality resources. Link following is amazing, be prepared to bookmark a lot of sites. Create a seperate folder in your normal bookmarks called ‘temp’ or ‘linktrack’ and bookmark away. Stumble to a great site, bookmark it for review later and then continue on the yellow link road.

Lastly design-wise, I have to say don’t simply look past the things you see around you. Take a moment when you are in a design drought to look around. See the logo on the semi, look at the placement on the billboard, notice the bumper sticker on the jallopy in front of you, remember the structure of the building, or the layout of the park. Everything around you will help.