October 07, 2003 | View Comments (14) | Category: CSS Redesigns
Summary: I need to redesign another site just because really I have this itch. I don't know why because I am extremely busy, but I just need to. Help me decide what site to do.
Just because I am already swamped with stuff to do does not mean I should not work on my own side projects right? I am in the mood to redesign a company's site, however I just do not know which one. Now when I say redesign I really do mean REDESIGN. I do not just mean redo it in CSS. So all I am asking you guys is what website would you like to see a redesign of? I was thinking DELL, but the point is I am looking for your guys suggestions.
The reason I would even do something like this is because I need to get better. If I am going to make this my profession I need to improve every chance I get. There is not way to get better at design than by designing. So that is what I am going to do. Design. If you do not think you have time to design other sites for free then maybe you can try this little exercise. 5-7 times a week sitdown and look at a site you would like to redesign. Simply make 10 quick sketches of some of your ideas on how you would make it better. It can be more than 10 and sometimes it will be less. The point is if you can do 10 quick sketches (15-20 minutes) then you are improving how you see the design of things. I mean we all can not be like Jon and create masterpieces in our sleep :)
So back to my point. I am going to redesign a site and I am going to put some mad pressure on myself. The redesign will be complete by November 1, no matter how horrific it looks, as long as I can come up with which site I am doing by the end of the day October 8. Should be fun. Also do not forget that submissions for the ReUSEIT competition are due by October 31. Just another thing to add to my list of things that will completely stress me out.
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My take on the recent redesign controversy is that people doing the redesigns are too focused on high-profile sites.
Why not ask an organization with a lower profile, and more limited resources, say a non-profit, if they'd like a better website?
I'm sure they would appreciate it more than a company like Dell.
Lars (http://larsholst.info/blog/)
Well then any ideas? I am only going for the homepage though and I am sure a non-profit type would really only benefit from a whole website redesign. In regards to all the recent controversy concerning CSS redesigns, I only see it as a problem when you are redesigning someone's personal site. Higher profile sites don't matter at all I think.
Scrivs (http://www.9rules.com/whitespace/)
It's not a company per se, but I'd love to see http://www.slashdot.org redesigned. http://www.tomshardware.com/ would be a good candidate too.
kyle (http://www.allergic2love.com)
Haha, geez kyle, I see you don't wanna pick any easy ones huh? slashdot is a very good candidate. Added to the list. Tom's I just can't do because I don't like his site or the content. Ars all the way baby!
Scrivs (http://www.9rules.com/whitespace/)
I suggest redesigning Mozilla's website. They need a designers touch for their site and thier products. www.mozilla.org would definitely benefit from a redesign of their homepage.
Just a thought.
Josh
I am going to do Slashdot. The voters have decided...wait I mean kyle has decided :) This should be interesting.
Scrivs (http://www.9rules.com/whitespace/)
Josh, mozilla already has a project going on concerning the web design of their site. I can't find the link right now, but I saw it last week. I think for us geeks slashdot is in need of more help. For the web design community though, Mozilla could use some help if they wish to get others to convert over.
Scrivs (http://www.9rules.com/whitespace/)
Hey! That means there will be a new mozilla website by... uh... 2008? And it might have a couple of megs of source code per page... but it'll be open source, baby!
[/sarcasm]
I'm with Lars on this one. Check with your local United Way. Get a list of their affiliated agencies, if the United Way site passes muster. Some pro-bono work helps train you, builds your client list, and can bring in business, because people who do volunteer work tend to know people. And of course a lot of them are successful business people themselves, or the spouses of them... and who are they going to turn to when they need a website? hmmmm?
Might not get you the geek cred you'd get for redoing a big site (and /.? are you nuts? you'll be wallowing in flames for the next ten years! Not to mention your server getting taken down and potentially costing you lots of money in bandwidth.), but you get real-world cred for helping people who need help in the way you're best at... and potential business connections.
JC (http://www.thelionsweb.com/weblog)
Oh, and did I mention chicks dig people who do volunteer work?
hehehe
how can you possibly choose otherwise?
JC (http://www.thelionsweb.com/weblog)
Alright then, non-profit it is, but I am still determined to do /. later. Here is the site I found through Google that is desperately in need of some help.
http://www.fnph.org/
Scrivs (http://www.9rules.com/whitespace/)
Good further points there by JC. Plus I completely forgot about the babe factor :)
Anyways, glad to see you have changed your mind. Florida Non-Profit Housing, Inc. looks like it has potential.
Another one worth asking about might be http://ewb-isf.org/. I'm involved in the Swedish EWB organization, but there's no relation, and I haven't really been in touch with our Canadian friends.
But if you absolutely _must_ do a geek site, then, yes, slashdot would be a good choice.
Lars (http://larsholst.info/blog/)
Good choice, and besides theres already been a sweep of slashdot redesigns lately.
Taylor (http://gtmcknight.com)
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#1
I just got the new Dell Small Business catalog and it mentions them doing redesign of the site coming soon. So if I do choose Dell hopefully I can beat them to the punch.
Scrivs (http://www.9rules.com/whitespace/)