Dress your MUSE for success!

[PhilnCedarPark]

I spend a lot of time with graphic artists and designers - I have to, since everything I design looks like Craig's List. Visually I have zero skills. But there are three things I have found that guarantee what I create and edit LOOKS good.

1. Understand the color combinations - don't depend on instinct. Read (http://www.worqx.com/color/combinations.htm) this fantastic intro and then use this incredible, free, web-based tool (http://wellstyled.com/tools/colorscheme2/index-en.html) to get the perfect color combinations for whatever you choose.

2. Get inspired and review hundreds of FREE, open source XHTML templates (http://www.oswd.org/) you can quickly and easily modify. If you are hiring via eLance or craigslist, give them the template(s) you choose and and tell them what you want changed. Much more cost-effective than working from scratch. However, you can easily modify most of these using visual web design tools.

3. Understand what works. I actually buy copies of the book "Don't Make Me Think (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0321344758?ie=UTF8&tag=certificati0c-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0321344758)" for clients - whether you're are strictly business, a developer, or designer, this book is a critical must before moving to the web for anything. Read the reviews and buy it before you spend another hour or dollar on moving to the web.

http://www.certificationguide.com/think1.jpg

[LizRNdc]

Thanks for the tips. As a new reader, I do find the reliance on "finding your muse" a bit daunting. The website made it seem like increasing cash flow was going to be easy if you followed the book - instead it relies on the individual coming up with an online business. Not exactly what I thought was coming at me ...

The tips are greatly appreciated - I will look into the book you recommend.

Great website by the way - I really like your design. It was appealing to the eye right away. I bookmarked it as a "website I like to look at" model.

[final_id]

Very good color info (though all links use "false" color wheels rather than optically or psychologically "true" ones -- a minor pet peeve of mine!). I love the tool that picks color-combinations and lets you select the amount of contrast.

[wildsoul]

Thanks for the color tool! I'll definitely be using that one.

Here's one back at ya'. This one lets you upload a photo, and then will give you a matching suite of harmonious colors.
http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/colors.php