Web Design Tools and Tricks?

[ozgression]

Just wondering what tools and tricks people use when coming up with a web design?

I recently found this tool for choosing web design colors: http://wellstyled.com/tools/colorscheme2/index-en.html

Cheers...
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[Nick]

I use ColorCache (http://www.tlhouse.co.uk/ColorCache) when ever I'm designing a page.

I also like to reuse my designs. They are all pretty simple, so color is what makes that stand apart from each other.

[Chris]

A trick in coming up with a design? I don't know about that, I don't know if I have any.

[Kyle]

ozgression, designing is one of my weak points. I really like the link you provided, it's going to be very helpful for me.

[ozgression]

Glad I can help. The tool has been helpful for me too :)
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[LuckyShima]

Here are some other color schemers:

http://www.colorschemer.com/online.html
http://www.colormatch.dk/ (don't like this one but show you anyway)

Hex colors: http://www.december.com/html/spec/color.html

Maybe pick up some ideas from somewhere like this: http://cssvault.com/2004/09/index.php

[MarkB]

Oz, great link!

[Blue Cat Buxton]

thats good tool - my colour sense is awful .off topic, but can design be learnt or do you need some sense of what 'works' to even stand a chance of coming up with a good design?

[ozgression]

I think design can be learnt (otherwise they wouldn't have courses and degrees teaching such a thing), but there are obviously some people who have a natural talent for it. eg. just like some people are better at tennis than others, but you can learn to play it.
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[LuckyShima]

I am not so sure the 'contrast' colour works very well with this tool. Is 'contrast' scientifically determined?

Anyway the point of this post is to say if you looking for contrast don't forget white and black, depending on whether the colour to be contrasted is dark or light.

I wasted some time with a contrasting colour for text that really did not work then just used white which seems acceptable.

[James]

I write lots of notes, and absorb the style I want for the site I'm making.

Sometimes I can just go straight into it and wing it, and other times (like now on one project [a network] I'm working on) I'll spend longer.

[abelony]

I bought a cd of 50 professional templates on ebay for $7. I don't use the templates fully but pull some elements from the psd. I do believe that designing can be learned but as oz said, some people have more talent. I am simply amazed at some of the templates they have at templatemonster.

[James]

A lot of the templates at templatemonster IMHO have the good artsy style to them, but defy some of the principles of design I have.

I much prefer making my own, anyways, so I know exactly how it's put together and therefore can rip it apart and improve whatever I want--and it makes me a better designer if anyone offers me a job in the future.