October brought a slew of excellent designs to CSS {imagine}, all of them worth recognition. Nonetheless, we've hand-picked 10 of the best that really inspired us, proving that beautiful design really is limitless.
So what do you think? Do you agree or disagree? Leave a comment and let us know!
http://www.thinkpinkstudio.com/
http://www.passe-a-la-maison.com/
http://www.939design.com/blog/
http://www.thecannibalqueen.com/
10.24.2008 // CSS {imagine} Featured at smashingapps.com 0 Comments | Posted by admin in Updates | Tags: Design Shout Outs
In their recent article, smashingapps.com featured CSS {imagine} as one of the top places to for web designers to get inspiration.
We are incredibly appreciative to smashingapps.com for featuring this site, and also grateful for everyone who submits to this gallery on a daily basis. Please keep it up, and thanks!!
For Blog Action Day 2008, I have posted an article over at my personal blog. It's pretty short, but it highlights an issue I've thought a lot about over the last year.
Check it out!
In an effort to give you even more outstanding CSS-gallery-ish-ness, CSS {imagine} has upgraded its screenshot capabilities. You should notice over the next several weeks a lot higher quality of screenshots which means, of course, a better gallery.
We hope you enjoy! Oh, and while you're at it, why not check us out on ScrnShots.com and follow us on Twitter? Thanks!
Blog Action Day is an exciting approach to social awareness and change. The concept is simple: get bloggers around the world to devote a single day--October 15th--to writing about a single topic. No money, no donations, just people turning their thoughts in unison to a common topic.
In 2007, Blog Action Day focused on the environment; this year the theme is poverty.
I love this concept because it's as far from gimmicky as you can get. You don't have to give money to participate; there are no "talking points" you have to follow; and there is no prize or prestige that comes to anyone. Rather, Blog Action Day simply attempts to raise awareness about an issue by getting people who are already blogging to write about it, in their own way, on a single day.
My summary is pretty lame, so be sure to check out the purpose and mission of Blog Action Day. And of course, if you blog, be sure to register with the site and participate. If you don't blog, what better excuse could you have to start? :)
Over the last several weeks, several CSS design showcases have featured CSS {imagine} -- 24 at my last count.
I tremendously appreciate each and every listing, so be sure to check them out. At the bottom of this gallery, you'll see a series of small thumbnails which represent each gallery where CSS {imagine} has been featured. If you'd be so kind, take a few minutes to visit some of them to check out the truly awesome designs that they feature, and let them know you came there from here.
See a gallery that features CSS {imagine} that's not on the list? Let me know!
Our Weekly Editor's Pick is a new feature to CSS {imagine} where we take the time to highlight a new site, as well as interview the creative mind behind it. Be sure to catch each week's designer focus, and also leave some comments to let them know how great their work is!
As part of our brand new series, it's my pleasure to welcome Karim Zurita. Thanks for taking the time to join us, Karim.
Glad to be here, thanks for having me.
So Karim, tell us a little about yourself. How did you get started in web design?
You know, I really had no interest in computers until a friend of mine who was a graphic designer showed me some of the things he was doing and I was really impressed with was he was doing. That was enough to get me interested in the graphic arts. But it was the web that finally got my attention with the interactivity, the exposure and the idea that it was available for anyone to see.
Right on. Okay, so I know this is not really a great question, but I have to ask it. How would you classify your design "style"?
I don't like to think of myself as having a specific "style," per se. I like to work in a wide range of styles, depending on the individual needs of my clients. I would describe my general design philosophy as clean, simple, detail oriented, professional, and intuitive.
So looking through your portfolio, it's clear that you've done a lot of work. What would you say are the most rewarding aspects of web design for you?
For me, web design is something I'm passionate about and really enjoy doing. I'm fortunate because my clients believe in my abilities and provide me with the creative freedom I need to come up with new and exciting concepts for them. I'm an artsy, creative type person and having that kind of freedom to experiment was one of the reasons I got into web design in the first place.
I think it's great that your clients provide you wide latitude of creativity--I know that's sometimes at a premium for a lot of designers!
So let's explore this a bit more--tell us about your approach to design. Where do you start? What is your process?
My approach is to gather as much information about my clients as possible. I like to know about their tastes, what they like or don't like, and who their target audience is. I also like to learn about the overall vision they have for their businesses. Once I have all the information that I need, I start to work in photoshop to develop the design. Initially, I operate through trial and error. I move things around and constantly change the layout until I see something I like and think will work for the client. I'm not the type that likes to conceptualize before beginning to work. I just jump right in and let it flow. I think it helps the creative process.
What sources of inspiration do you use when developing a concept for a site?
I think the most important thing is to try to capture what the client envisions. I like to take all that I've learned about a client, and build on that in order to express it visually. I think it's also important to see what others are doing. What works and what doesn't? What are the latest trends. Then I put my own spin on it.
And your "spin" is really great and creative! Ok, so let's switch gears a little bit. On your site, you note that you work for Einstein Industries as a Senior Web Designer. Obviously, a job like this assumes a lot of responsibilities, especially in terms of project management, employee management, etc. What have you learned in this position that has impacted you as a designer?
I think one of the major things for me was learning to manage multiple projects, my team and, of course, my clients. In the process, I've gained valuable experience. I've taken what I think works, excluded what I think doesn't, and applied this knowledge to my work as a freelancer.
Let's talk about the freelancnig--How do you manage the pressures of your day job and the responsibilities you have to your personal clients? Can you share any tips?
I try my best to keep the two separate and not let one get in the way of the other. I know my limits and try to keep a balance between the two. One thing is for sure; what I've learned at Einstein has helped me in my freelance career.
Well, Karim, we're just about out of questions, and here's the last: as you look at the direction that the web appears to be going, what emerging web technologies are you most interested in / see the most promise for?
I don't think I have anything in particular, but I am excited about overall growth and all the new innovations that are emerging. You cant help but notice how the web has changed in the last few years and I cant wait to see what comes out next.
Well said! Karim, it was a pleasure having you with us. Thanks for sharing your talents in our gallery, and for taking the time to share a little bit about your life as a web designer. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for having me!
Just a quick note to let everyone know that you can connect to CSS {imagine} in several different ways. First, we are pushing all screen-captures to ScrnShots, a great, and relatively new screenshot networking site. Second, you can follow us on Twitter to keep up on the latest submissions to the gallery.
***UPDATE***
Just this morning (06.24.08) we've added a hook into del.icio.us for all of you tagging enthusiasts :).
And of course, this site is all about bringing you--our visitors--what you want. So if you have a great idea about an extension you'd like to see developed, let us know!
After 2 days of life, CSS {imagine} is off to a great start! We've had well over 60 submissions, most of which were really great (and so they made it into the gallery).
Thanks to everyone who has submitted sites so far! Keep submitting, and be sure to let us know how we're doing, what can be done better, etc.
In an effort to make this site even better, we're launching a blog. It's going to be very simple: we're going to post site updates, helpful resources, etc. However, one important part of it is that we're going to start featuring a weekly "Editor's Pick."
We want to take this to the next level, however. Instead of just showing a site, we'd like to try to get interviews with the designers of the sites we choose--don't worry, nothing long and drawn out, just a few questions! Then we'd like to post this Q and A on the site so that others can learn more about you!
So that's it! Be sure to grab the blog feed, and as always, keep those sites coming!!!
