Templates

[Payton]

When you design do you use templates at all? Just for inspiration? Or do you always start from scratch?

 

[jacob]

i dont do much design but have looked at templates but always find myself reverting back to starting from scratch. usually i'll find a site that i like the layout of that i'll take a screenshot and work on top of that.

 

[Julez]

templates for me - save loads of time

 

[a.titus1]

I take a look at templates for inspiration, but don't use them. I have a couple site designs I use with my cms, but I change up a few things so most stuff looks unique.

 

[alexmos.com]

I always build pages from scratch... but sometimes I take alook to templates sites and inspiration sites... to see how others did certain things...

 

[Nathan]

Templates are far easier. Saves a whole lot of time. If they can be customised then it's even better

 

[JDA]

I use available Wordpress themes (templates) for all of my sites that I haven't paid to have designed. I'm an idiot when it comes to any kind of coding.

 

[EWebscapes]

Always from scratch. I'm so used to my own coding and CSS that it's easier for me, in the long run, to update and change things on the site 'on the fly' than it is to weed through someone else's coding and figure out what they have going on. I've used downloadable, premade templates (like Wordpress themes) in the past - - for me, it's easier to hack up my own coding than it is someone elses.

 

[Dave]

scratch ftw.

 

[Peter]

If I'm doing client work or building a new site it's all from scratch. If I'm setting up a blog I'll normally use a theme then edit it.

 

[Learning Geek]

Templates all the way - I find it easier to edit a template than starting from scratch. And like mentioned its much faster. I also have a designer that will make me a template from scratch but I just can't do it myself.

 

[kyleirwin]

scratch ftw.

Right. Which is why you used that beautiful template on your blog.

Always from scratch. I'm so used to my own coding and CSS that it's easier for me, in the long run, to update and change things on the site 'on the fly' than it is to weed through someone else's coding and figure out what they have going on. I've used downloadable, premade templates (like Wordpress themes) in the past - - for me, it's easier to hack up my own coding than it is someone elses.

I agree, it's way easier to modify my own designs and code than someone elses. Having the original photoshop layout helps as well.

So yeah, I build my sites from scratch. I check out some sites I have bookmarked for ideas, but I start the layout from scratch in photoshop.

 

[weneedsound]

We design from scratch. Mainly starting in photoshop. Then working the layout into a static html page. Then cutting the page up into the template. The design processes is only limited by how long it takes us to make the initial design in photoshop.

For inspiration we look at the candy-css honky websites like css beauty/reboot or unmatched style.

 

[Neosite]

I love the from scratch aspect.....but, it can be inhibiting some times.

I have fallen into the Joomla trap recently....

when i have someone begging to get a site up, i can put it on a Joomla Template, futz with it and change some css and its done in like no time flat....and it is all manageable by the client (ex client)....

no more headaches, an occassional call but that is it.....

But, as i work on my own sites, it is all by scratch....Its the best way to learn. And like EWebscapes mentioned, it is far easier to ediut a creation of your own than to work within the parameters of anothers creation.

Now, if you were speaking of Templates in some thing like Dreamweaver or something, i would definately say "Use Templates!" don't hack out each page individually. That is a nightmare for upkeep, even if you are using some sever side includes.......

To sum it up, templates are a good thing in different aspects at different times, and if yours are good enough, you could even sell them.