Recommend Web Designers

[retep]

The RimuHosting site is almost infamous for its minimal design. Just lately we've tweaked the design a wee bit. I'm still considering doing a bit more work to bring it into the 2000's (though not to the extent of most flash-based generic hosting sites out there).

My question: How do you handle design? Do you do it yourself? Or use a web designer? Or just a 'graphics person'? Would you recommend them? _Are_ you a web designer (if so don't be afraid to chime in here and promote yourself to us and to other RimuHosting members)?

[navjeet]

I am more of a web application designer (backend) than a web designer if you are referring to the UI aspect of the website. I work closely with an ex-colleague of mine who is an expert in that area. He now works as an independent consultant. I would highly recommend him. His name is Dwight Taylor (dtaylor at alphatigerdesign.com) and his website is http://www.alphatigerdesign.com/

--Navjeet

[RedOut]

The RimuHosting site is almost infamous for its minimal design. Just lately we've tweaked the design a wee bit. I'm still considering doing a bit more work to bring it into the 2000's (though not to the extent of most flash-based generic hosting sites out there).

My question: How do you handle design? Do you do it yourself? Or use a web designer? Or just a 'graphics person'? Would you recommend them? _Are_ you a web designer (if so don't be afraid to chime in here and promote yourself to us and to other RimuHosting members)?

I kinda liked rimu's minimalist design. I kinda cringed when I saw some stock photography on the site... When I see that, especially the 'ready to take your calls girl' I immediately think of a microwarehouse catalog. I think the minimalist design appealed to the geeks a lot. Having a lot of stock graphics starts to cheapen the product IMO, they definately don't set you apart.

Have you considered using a CMS system? seems like that would be a very nice way to present the content you have, and there's already some very good designs out there, that can be tailored to your site by tweaking some CSS and images along with playing with the layouts a bit. I've toyed around with Mambo and Limbo before, and they seem very usable. They also allow you to export things like news as RSS feeds, which I think would be an excellent feature for the site. Since there isn't a lot of news, I don't frequent the site much, it would be nice to see it show up in my reader.

[jhubert]

Hi There,

Personally, I do my own designs for small projects and I have a small collection of graphic designers that I use for corporate identity work.

There is a HUGE different between a graphic designer and a web designer. For doing a website, it's fairly important to find a web designer instead of a graphic designer. A web designer, in my opinion, is someone who understands the web platform and doesn't restrict themselves to building a print style layout. A good web designer will understand the possibilities of css, flash, movement and other advantages that web has over print... as well as the disadvantages (no set font size, user can muck with it, etc).

My recommendation would be to talk to some great web designers if you have the budget (http://www.jaketracey.com, http://www.slash7.com, http://www.dilbo.com).

Otherwise, you can always drop me a note and I would be more than happy to work something out in exchange for hosting. :)

Warm Regards,
Jeremy
Illanti.com

[dlevancho]

I subcontract to our design group http://varvaridze.com/design.html
mostly colaborative work, design meets development . template usage is strictly forbidden and all of the work done is unique.