Step 1 Plan your site
Understand the reason the site exists
Understand the site goals
Understand the target audience
Create site map and get approval from client
References: Web Design Project Management Guide by Wendy Willard – xTrain.com

Step 2 Consider
Remember, people with disabilities use the web too – CSS, W3C, Alt tags

Step 3 Content
The text and images in your site are more important than your design
References: Search Engine Optimization – SEO Training – xTrain.com

Step 4 Mock
Less is always more, avoid the blank screen of death, usability rules
References: Fast Track Photoshop CS3 – xTrain.com
References: Photoshop CS3: for Web Designers – xTrain.com
References: Illustrator CS3: Quick & Easy – xTrain.com

Step 5 Design
Think of the client not yourself
Go simple rather than complicated
Bad user experience means bad business
If your working with programmers, make sure they are part of this phase
References: Fast Track Photoshop CS3 – xTrain.com
References: Developers & Designers Guide to Communication – xTrain.com

Step 6 Test
Browser testing
Grandmother testing
Message testing

Step 7 Market
Your web site does not matter if no one see’s it. Marketing your site is where most of the real work begins
References: Social Networking – xTrain.com
References: How to Podcast – xTrain.com
References: Search Engine Marketing: Pay Per Click Advertising – xTrain.com
References: Online Brand Reputation Management – xTrain.com

Get it here!

According to John Nack here are the features:

Unbeatable Photoshop CS3 Integration:

• Open files in Photoshop as Smart Objects.  (This way you can tweak your Lightroom adjustments within Photoshop just by double-clicking the Smart Object layer that contains your raw file.)
• Select multiple images to merge as a panorama
• Merge multiple exposures into a single Photoshop HDR image
• Load multiple files (or virtual copies of a single file) into Photoshop as separate layers in a single document

Selective image editing that rocks:

• Lightroom 2 adds a Retouch tool right within the Develop module (see screenshot).  That means you can paint regions of the image to dodge, burn, saturate/desaturate, adjust contrast, and more.  Edits are stored as metadata, just as all other LR adjustments are stored, and are applied directly to your raw images. (Because people will quickly ask, I’ll point out that unlike Apple’s newly released Aperture 2.1, Lightroom integrates its selective editing tools right in with the other adjustment tools.  In Lightroom you don’t have to generate a TIFF file for editing, and unlike in Aperture, you can always tweak the results later.  In addition, Lightroom features Auto Mask technology for tweaking the clicked region without bleeding into neighboring areas.)

Other goodness:

• Library Module:
  • Streamlined Library layout
  • Smart Collections (based on search criteria)
  • Powerful Filter Bar to search and refine images
  • Suggested Keywords for simplified keywording
  • 10,000 pixel size limit raised to 30,000 pixels
  • Output-based collections
• Multiple monitor support:
  • Four flexible modes for an alternate window: Grid, Loupe, Compare, Survey
  • Live Loupe mode
• Export functionality:
  • Auto-add exported images to the Lightroom catalog
  • Auto Output Sharpening for images on export
• Develop Module:
  • Non-Destructive Localized Correction for dodging and burning specific areas of an image
  • Post-Crop Vignette
  • Basic Panel Keyboard Shortcuts
  • Improved Auto Adjustment
  • Improved memory handling through 64-bit support on OS X 10.5 and Vista 64-bit.(Not limited to develop module)
• Print Module:
  • Picture Package for multi-page layouts
  • Print Module output directly to JPEG
  • Enhanced Print Sharpening based on PhotoKit Sharpener algorithms
  • 16-bit Printing for Mac OS X 10.5

Get it here!

What I like so far:

• The user interface is amazingly simple to use
• I was afraid that the software would be slow to respond but it is lighting fast!
• I like how easy it is to add a user, share notes and make annotations
• The whiteboard feature allows you to draw just like a real whiteboard
• The upload file feature is simple and great

All-in-All

I have used 4 different meeting softwares and none of them have been as fast and easy to use as BRIO. I’m not sure why but untill now online meetings have been harder than they need to be.

set up your FREE BRIO account

Click Here to see my iPhone pictures 

Let me know what you think

Instructor: ShellieHall

Managing a document with multiple purposes, creators and sources of content can be difficult. Shellie Hall will clarify how to manage the project of document creation in CS3. This course includes classes on design & development of content to the commercial printing standards. If you can think of it, you can Design it with this course!

Basic Modeling in LightWave and 3d Layers

Instructor: Stephen Burns

Explore the options of 3D and modeling in LightWave 3D. Learn how to composite skins and more on your 3D model with master guide and artist Stephen Burns. Get insight into the hows and whys of using texturing , models, layers, and the personalization of brushes with your pen tablet. Build a futuristic sci fi scene and gain valuable knowledge of building art in the 3D world.

Special Effects in Photoshop

Instructor: Stephen Burns

Investigate the various new options of special effects in Photoshop with Stephen Burns. Learn the hows and whys of of compositing images with layers. Develop you artistic eye with by exploring art work , learning how to layer mask and advance color knowledge.

We also have the following classes coming up in the next few weeks:

iPhoto
iWeb
Aperture 2
and many more…

Picture 1

Picture 2

Realizing that I had to create a professional website made me quickly understand that I knew nothing about the web.  It only took me about a week to finish my entire textbook. After another solid week of staring at my screen I decided to go visit my client “aceer.org” and take a stab at creating a real website.

Once I finished this site I was starting to understand the web and created a portfolio site. Two weeks later I was a web designer at Southern Living Magazine
 Here is my first portfolio site – Kickin it Old School 

Here is a really cool company that converts cameras to IR.

Shellie Hall always has what’s new on her Video blog at CreativePro.com

As Shellie talked about in her blog here is a very cool look at logo design for 2008

You know more people that you think you do. Grab all of your business cards and invite everyone you know to your linkedin account. Check out the new xTrain LinkedIn Group

Now that I’m getting over 100 emails a day, checking email can kill my productivity. Tim Ferris wrote a great article on checking email to much.