Web design is harder than you think.

I don’t just move pretty pictures around in Photoshop Fireworks — there’s a lot of thought, consideration, and a certain amount of instinct involved in everything I do.

I’ll spend more hours on your project than you think.

The outcome of your final project is a reflection of myself — I’ll need to make sure it’s up to my own standards in addition to yours.

When you say you want a “basic” website, I don’t believe you.

You want a few pages of content that doesn’t change over time? That’s basic.

I do not, in any form or circumstance or by any amount of persuasion, want to be a business partner in your venture.

You might want to try going to people who have money and are willing to invest in your business, I’m not a venture capitalist.

If you’re a first time customer, I’m not interested in discounting my quote because you promise to give me more projects in the future.

But if you are a repeat customer, you will definitely get discount anyway.

I truly believe the content you incorporate on your site is more important than any “fantastic” design I create.

You worry about the content, let me worry about the design; with some minor crossover of course.

If I get input on your content, you get input on design.

I don’t want to be your copy writer and I don’t want to be your Human Photoshop Brush — the project will just flow smoother if we’re both a little flexible.

No, I will not design your logo for $50.

Your logo will often be the first piece of communication between your business and a potential customer. Why wouldn’t you want to invest appropriately in that?

I have, on occasion, wanted to fire a client.

Many reasons for this, some of which I have already listed here.

Still not sure if this post was a good idea or not.

I think many people, especially non-techie [ultra-] small business startups, really have no experience in web design projects or really any kind of design project and kinda make it up as they go along. Patience is key in these situations. I’ve found that even the most inexperienced clients are willing to learn from and listen to you if you can empathize with them.

As a client or a designer, what confessions do you have?

I had TechCrunch and Scobleizer on the list but their recent redesigns look great!

Hopefully, without sounding like another design snob, I’d like to list some popular blogs that I hope get a redesign in 2009.

In no specific order:

1) Lifehacker

Really its not just Lifehacker but all the Gawker Media blogs.

2) LouisGray.com

Louis Gray has a great blog with some of the most interesting thoughts and topics out there, and a fresh design would be a great complement.

3) Techipedia

So much potential here, would love to see a design that incorporates the logo well.

4) Read Write Web

Read Write Web is one of my favourite blogs and the layout and typography isn’t really that horrible.  It’s mostly the header and logo that bug me.

5) ProBlogger

I used to like ProBlogger’s design — not sure what happened.  Maybe it was the increase in ads or maybe I got tired of reading Helvetica in such small font sizes (one of my web pet peeves).

6) The Last Podcast

Frederic runs a great blog here as well, but this template needs to go.

7) ChrisBrogan.com

I don’t actually have any real beef with his current design, personally I just loved the previous one so much more.  Bring it back Chris!

8) Performancing

Very helpful blog but I’m not a fan of fluid width layouts plus it really could use a refresh.  Not friendly with 17” monitors either.

9) Web Strategy by Jeremiah

Earlier this year, Jeremiah asked what he could do to improve the way his blog looks.   I suggested he change the background to white instead of light gray.  But now, I’m asking for more

10) Micro Persuasion

Not sure how flexible Typepad is, but I’d love to see what could be done here.

Now, before I get anyone lashing back at me, please consider that my intentions are not to be critical of these blogs as a whole.  I just think the visual aspects warrant some improvement.

Do you agree or disagree?  What sites would you add to this list?

Ay shawwwty, wha’yo flava iis?

Pixeling

ColorZilla
This is a great addon that lets you get the colour reading of anywhere in the browser.  It also has a colour picker with several palettes built-in.

Firebug
Edit, debug, and monitor CSS, HTML, and JavaScript, live.

FireFTP
An FTP program built into Firefox.
My favourite feature: Keep directories in sync while navigating.

IE Tab
Open Internet Explorer-rendered web pages in Firefox and easily switch back and forth between IE/FF.

Measure It
I use it to measure the pixels of anything and everything inside the browser window.

Web Developer Toolbar
Several tools including working with CSS, forms, cookies, images, and more.
My favourite feature: Resize window (to 1024×768, 800×600, etc.)

FireShot
Enables you to take full page screenshots of web pages with additional functionality like editing and annotating.
My favourite feature: Full page screenshots with a customizable delay for Flash movies.

Social Media

Better Gmail 2
Includes a really nice skin for Gmail with additional options.  A compilation of the best Gmail Greasemonkey scripts.
My favourite feature: Real file icons for attachments (instead of the paperclip)

Del.icio.us Bookmarks
Allows you to open your Del.icio.us bookmarks in your sidebar or in the browser window and tag/save websites.

Download Statusbar
Use your status bar to see the progress of your downloads instead of that annoying popup window.

DragDropUpload
Instead of having to browse for files when uploading or attaching to an email, you can simple drag the file to the input area of the form.  The addon will automatically insert the path.

Foxmarks Bookmark Synchronizer
This extension saves your bookmarks to a server, where you can access it from any computer that has Foxmarks installed.  Bookmarks are updated so you can take them with you anywhere you go.

Greasemonkey
This addon enables you to install small bits of JavaScript (Greasemonkey scripts) to manipulate and customize page displays in Firefox.
My favourite Greasemonkey script: Pagerization.

PicLens
Hands down the coolest addon ever.  Great for viewing images, photos and video from Flickr, Google Image Search, YouTube, and more.  Just view the demo and you’ll see.

PDF Download
Don’t you hate when links to PDF open in your browser?  Or the take forever to open and freeze your system?  PDF Download lets you choose how to open/PDFs and even gives you the option of converting it to HTML.

Shareaholic
The best addon for sharing content on the web, period.

StumbleUpon
Great addon for random stumbling, sending sites to your friends and stumbling via interests or through various websites.

TwitterBar
Great addon for twittering on the down-low.  Just type your tweet in the location bar and send away.
My favourite feature: TwitterBar lets me know how many available characters I have left in my tweet.

What addons would you recommend?

Firefox 3 download day is an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the most software downloaded in 24 hours.  So download away and experience Firefox 3 for yourself!

UPDATE: Download links still not working? Try these direct download links:

• Windows
• Mac OS X
• Linux

It’s CSS Naked Day!

The idea behind this event is to promote Web Standards. Plain and simple.
This includes proper use of (x)html, semantic markup, a good hierarchy structure,
and of course, a good ‘ol play on words. It’s time to show off your <body>.

To know more about why styles are disabled on this website visit the

Annual CSS Naked Day website for more information.