Stumped!

Debster, welcome to Webmaster Forums.

Quote: I have so many creative ideas in my head of different designs and what not that I want to use on various websites. My problem is when I go to my graphics program and try to implement the designs, they fail miserably. Is there a cure for this???

I think that everyone faces this same challenge. It just takes experience to make the designs that you have in your mind. Some people are just naturally good at. Others can't draw a stick man. Most of the others are like me, somewhere between the two. First you have to know what you graphic program is capable of. I use Photoshop 6.0 and after a couple of years, I still don't utilize it's full power. There have been many ideas that I have given up on because I either couldn't design it properly or it was too big or something.

I really think though what it comes down more than anything is a matter of focus. Focus on accomplishing the task. Some times this may mean ignoring grandiose schemes. But it also should not cramp the creative juices from flowing. The other thing to do is to look at graphics at other sites. Go over to Apple's site or some of the other well done sites and download one of their graphics. See if you can create something like it. And of course, if you really get stumped, post back here. We have some pretty artsy types that can help you greatly.

Hi Mairving!
Thanks for the welcome.

It sounds like I am with you in that I am somewhere in between creative wise. I typically use Fireworks 4 and like you still don't know all the power it is capable of. Time is so elusive that I find it hard to sit down and plow through a lot of tutorials, which I know I need to do, in order to learn more about it.

I think my focus has been off. I've had trouble really concentrating on what I'm doing. I agree that is probably my biggest problem right now. For some reason, when I start working in Fireworks my mind wanders about other things. Not that that's bad mind you because it's kind of a release but then it is bad because I'm not fully concentrating on what I'm doing. LOL. I know that doesn't make sense.

Looking at other sites sometimes makes me more frustrated because it just gives me even more ideas of what I would like to do and can't seem to do. I have tried coolhomepages.com before. I'll take a look at Apple's site. It's been awhile since I have been there.

I'm also very eager to try using a Wiacom tablet. Have you tried that or something similiar before? I've seen some truly awesome graphics from people using tablets. My thinking is that it can only help because I sometimes get hampered by just having a mouse. It doesn't always go where I want it to go.

Thanks for your reply and your welcome. I'm hoping this forum can give me better insight and help.

Debster, for some reason, I never took up drawing. I guess because growing up my brother was an artist and I played ball. So if I chose to draw something like a horse with a pencil. It would probably be hard to figure out what it looked like, a dog maybe, a cat, a car, some squiggly lines. Anyway despite those limitations, I am pretty good using Photoshop. It's just that I think that I realize my limitations. I have learned by accident, by looking at others work and by perserverance. So with that in mind, something like a Wiacom tablet would only decrease my skills so forget that. I actually use a trackball instead of a mouse. It gives me better precision.

I cant draw crooked stick figures. I know PhotoShop really well, but use it mainly for photo manipulation. If I need anything drawn, I get my brother to do it.

Wow, just went to the Wacom site to find out how much tablets are costing these days. Has anyone used the tablet pen and mouse sets? I could actually afford one of those - just $99 US It's really better to have a 6x8 though - those are $299 which isn't too bad either (but, of course, $299 US = $450 Canadian). Here's the link to wacom:

http://www.wacom.com/productinfo/index.cfm

Are there any other brands that are good? I've only used wacom.

Debster - you might want to try one of these before you buy. Some people love them, some people hate them, and some fall in between. They take awhile to get used to too. A tablet is particularly good for natural looking drawings, but I also find that it's a lot easier on my wrists when trying to do intricate drawings - especially in vector programs (you know how hard those little direction points are to grab!).

I agree with mairving about the focusing issue. It's really hard sometimes. I think it's always hard to try to match some imagined idea of a site. I guess my best advice would be to keep plugging away, try to narrow down your ideas. It might be a good idea to make some sketches on paper (doesn't matter if you're good at drawing or not), or even try to describe your ideas in words. I often end up pacing the floor when this happens

I really appreciate all the advice! It has been very helpful indeed.

Mairving: The trackball sounds very interesting. I have heard about them and that might be a cheaper option or route for me to go before I go out and get a Wacom. Or maybe not. Guess I need to price them first. I need a new mouse anyways. I have trouble positioning objects a lot of times with my mouse. Thanks for the advice!

Mark: Must be nice to have a brother that can draw non-crooked stick figures. LOL.

Megan: I too went to the Wacom site a couple of days ago and was a bit surprised by the cost. I actually had one back when I first got started in graphics but never really used it much mainly because I didn't know how and didn't take the time to learn. Back then it was a bit cheaper.

I'll probably have to settle for the $99 version. At least to try it out and see if I can even use it. Being left-handed using a right handed mouse does have it's limitations. I think I might have better control using my left hand when it comes to actually drawing things. Don't know why I never tried a lefty mouse but I just got used to having a righthanded mouse.

I guess I need to at least sketch some of these ideas out on paper...just to get some of them out of my head. LOL. I need to make room for other thingys in my brain. Hehe.

Again I thank all of you for the suggestions and tips you have given me. I do appreciate it!

I think this is a bit outta my league.

What I do is draw them on paper (I cant draw stick figures to well), but draw the page layout, with pointers for colors or effects then file it - few months later go thru the file and find all these ideas and can sometimes have a new approach to them that works, other times it just adds a few more ideas to the page until next time.

I use PSP, and also have lots of .psp files floating around (work in layers so as to keep, delete stuff later)

Good luck

Take a look at pricewatch.com. I was able to find a couple 4x5 for around $70. There are also some other brands (including a 12x12 for $170).

Quote: Originally posted by Debster
[b]Mark: Must be nice to have a brother that can draw non-crooked stick figures. LOL.[/B]

Yes.... yes it is.

Quote: Originally posted by Busy
What I do is draw them on paper (I cant draw stick figures to well), but draw the page layout, with pointers for colors or effects then file it...

That sounds like a good idea. Will have to give that a shot. I oftentimes take a break while working by going outside and sitting in the sun for about 30 - 45 minutes. Very peaceful, quiet and relaxing. I ought to take pen and pad out there as well eh? LOL Thanks for the suggestion!

Quote: Originally posted by Adam Oberdorfer
Take a look at pricewatch.com. I was able to find a couple 4x5 for around $70. There are also some other brands (including a 12x12 for $170).

Thanks for the info! I'll have to check them out. I've only just started looking around. Do you use tablets yourself?

I have a 8x8 tablet which I use occasionaly. Got it off a CAD unit so it's really high quality.