Alright so it might be a little nerdy to dedicate an entire post to a pencil…but I’m doing it anyway. The Sharpie Liquid Pencil is no ordinary pencil: it’s more pencil/pen/sharpie transformer than your regular No. 2. While I haven’t been able to pick one up yet (I checked our Office Max this week but they didn’t have any), they are available on Amazon for $3.92 each or at Office Depot for $4.99 for a pack of two.
While I do indeed have a few posts lined up to further your web design eduction and entertainment, dear readers, I thought I’d take a moment to ask what you want to read about.
This week I have a quick source of inspiration for you: The Inspiration Blog. Created by the designers at Circlebox Creative, it is a collection of design round-ups and showcases. The site features a variety of motivating artwork, including “all things visually pleasing and inspirational.” No matter what creative industry you’re in (or if you’re not a creative but are needing some visual stimulation anyway), the site features graphic design, illustration, photography, interior design, architecture and of course, web design related posts. It’s a great resource when you’re feeling stuck and need a quick jump-start to get going again at work.
While it is always the goal that your viewers never get an error page from your website, it is best to be prepared. A 404 Error indicates that the file or page requested cannot be found. Unlike a server error, a 404 or Not Found error occurs when access to the site is granted, but the address called for is missing. This type of error can occur for a number of reasons; sometimes it is simply a matter of the viewer spelling your URL wrong, and other times it is due to either external or internal broken links. A broken link is usually the result of updating and/or moving pages and files around on your website. Read on for tips on creating and executing a unique and helpful 404 page.
I had a brief moment of dread earlier this week when I visited one of the sites I manage, only to find a disturbing “That page cannot be displayed” error page. Like I said, though, my fear was short lived thanks to today’s featured sites. These three websites reliably (as far as I can tell) test and report whether a web page is down universally or it is your own computer/system creating the error. Down for everyone or just me? is the most well-known of these resources, though they are all similar programs. CheckSite and Down.io also report the status of a web server to determine if a website error is affecting other viewers or only you.
A web icon is the small symbol or picture displayed on the left side of a browser tab, in your bookmark menu and/or in the web address bar. Commonly called the ‘favicon’, short for favorite icon, the web icon can be a variety of file types and is recognized by most modern browsers. The icon is a small graphic with big impact; the presence of a unique icon helps viewers easily recognize your site among others, and increases brand recognition. Every major website has a recognized icon, and there is no reason your site can’t (or shouldn’t) have one too.
Since I purchased my wide screen monitor last year, I have become especially appreciative of a good desktop wallpaper. What I’ve realized lately is that I have also become very picky about said wallpapers. As someone who spends almost the entire workday in front of my computer, it is important that everything be set up just right. This means that my icons are well placed on the desktop and there are not too many of them. Other than one or two temporary folders or files, everything else has its permanent place in the lineup.
Today’s find is a website called xtranormal.com that makes movie making easy. Their tag line says it all: “If you can type, you can make movies.” With at least 16 ’showpaks’, or themes, to choose from, you can select one or two characters, change your background, and add audio music and sounds with just a few simple clicks. Then you simply type up a script for your characters to read (in a voice of your choosing), and animate them as you see fit. A number of these videos can be created for free, but for advanced options there is a fee.
In the Watch Movies section you can view featured videos by xtranormal, as well as the most recent and most popular user created videos. There is also a Desktop option to avoid the sometimes overwhelmed server issues. Xtranormal is a quick and fun distraction that could also be used as a business tool. Want to join the YouTube craze but are a little camera shy? This site is a great way to do so for cheap. Plus, you can avoid novice camera shaking and other less-than-desirable traits customary of new video producers. If you find yourself escaping the heat indoors this weekend, head over to xtranormal and try your hand at creating videos. Happy Friday!
A valuable aspect of your website is how well people respond to the site and remember it later. One of the best ways to distinguish how well your site accomplishes these important attributes and more is a critique. While it is great to have your mom, significant other and BFF take a look at your site and provide feedback, it is unlikely that any of your favorite people will be as honest and free with their critique as a total stranger. Not to mention, it is likely that those closest to you have inside knowledge about your company and/or website and will view the site with a well-intentioned but unavoidably biased eye. Lucky for us, there are a number of websites that offer solutions to this dilemma.
In addition to full-service web design, GetCreative also offers graphic and print design services. We offer these supplementary services in an effort to provide businesses with marketing materials that are consistent and effective. When your logo, your business card and your website are all coordinating in design it shows your clients that you are both reliable and dependable, creating feelings of trust and confidence in your abilities.
