The Best Web Design and Graphic Software is Available in Academic Software Versions

Macromedia's Studio 8 Suite Academic Software Package

Macromedia Dreamweaver

My first choice for HTML editors is Macromedia's Dreamweaver. It has an easy to use, intuitive user interface and state of the art design tools. With a customizable user interface, you can work the way you need to. Although the student software doesn't come with manuals, Dreamweaver has excellent online tutorials.

You can design intricate CSS-based layouts and designs easily with tools that allow for quick selection and control of page and site wide style properties. There is a built in graphics editor that uses Macromedia Fireworks technology. Dreamweaver allows you to develop HTML, XHTML, XML, ASP, ASP.NET, JSP, PHP, and Macromedia ColdFusion websites.

It has a cross-browser code validation feature that automatically checks tags and CSS rules for compatibility across all the leading browsers and allows you to configure browser preview for multiple browsers.

One of the nicest features is the Property Inspector that enables quick, comprehensive property editing that makes getting it perfect a no-brainer. This is the editor I use to create and maintain all of my web sites. I have used all of the professional and many of the other HTML editors available and can say that Dreamweaver is absolutely the best HTML editor. Since Dreamweaver is taught in most graphic design curriculums, it inclusion in the academic software package is needed.
Tip! One of the most important cardinal rules of functional, good web design, is if you have to explain how your navigation works..

Macromedia Fireworks

Fireworks is Macromedia's answer to Photoshop and is included in the student software package. Fireworks has all the tools a web professional needs to create everything from simple graphical buttons to sophisticated rollover effects. You can import, edit, and integrate all major graphics formats, including vector and bitmap images and easily export Fireworks images to Flash, Dreamweaver, and third-party applications.

Besides all of the normal features you would expect in a professional photo editing program, fireworks includes new interactive design features and the ability to create pop-up menus in the Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) format without the need for programming. One thing Fireworks does exceptionally well is batch processing. I use Fireworks batch processing all of the time to optimize entire directories of photographs. I can resize and optimize 50 photographs in just a couple of minutes.

Macromedia Flash Pro 8

Flash is the industry leader for creation animation and video movies for streaming over the internet. Flash creates movies with surprising small files sizes. That translates to quick download times and the availability to use flash animation on slower links and mobile devices and comes complete with tools for video creation especially for mobile devices. Flash pro 8 provides everything needed to create great looking videos. Since flash is being used more frequently is essential that it be part of an academic software package.
Tip! No one likes an ugly web site, but what people don't like even more than an ugly web site, is a non-functioning web site. My final cardinal rule of good web design is the philosophy that every web site should look as good as it functions.

Macromedia Contribute

Contribute is Macromedia's answer to the problem of content management. It provides the ability to change the content of a website without having to know anything about HTML, but does not need all the expensive software and databases that a regular content management system uses. Contribute allows companies to buy an inexpensive tool that lets them provide content without messing with the design. Contribute is a solution that is custom-made for small to mid-sized companies that don't need all the power of CMS, but would like some of the benefits. Being included in the academic software package will give students an opportunity to see how a very simple CMS system works.

Macromedia FlashPaper

FlashPaper generates compact, fast-opening Flash documents that can be published to any website using Macromedia Contribute, Dreamweaver, or any other HTML tool. FlashPaper creates Flash documents through intuitive Microsoft Office integration and file drag and drop. Create Flash documents that are immediately available cross-platform on any web browser. Compact Flash documents open within a web page, eliminating the need for a separate viewer application. Flash documents can also be incorporated into Flash projects. Adding this to the student software package allows the student to experience using a very handy tool.
Tip! A good Title tag, e.g for C2 Web Design being a website design company based in Essex, UK and covering Colchester our Title tag is 'Website Design Essex | Website Design Colchester'.

Adobe Creative Suite 2.0 Premium Academic Software Package

Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop is the graphics industry standard and my choice of photo editing software. I have to admit I love Photoshop. You can create original images or modify photos using a wide range of painting, drawing, and retouching tools. You can work the way that's best for you by creating personalized workspace and tool settings and customized keyboard shortcuts. You can achieve sophisticated results by compositing images, text, and effects on hundreds of layers that you control by grouping into sets, color coding, and locking. You can simulate traditional fine-art techniques with dry and wet brush effects, pastel, charcoal, and more and even use brushes to add special effects such as grass and leaves. There are tools to improve the color, contrast, and dynamic range of any image, easily remove dust, scratches, blemishes, wrinkles, and other flaws with the Healing Brush. Photoshop can give high quality output by working with the complete raw data files from most major digital camera models. It's great all-around imaging software. Photoshop is taught in all graphic curriculums and had to be included in the student software package.
Tip! Don't Look for the Cheapest Web Designer- Good Web Design isn't the cheapest you can find. This will NOT help your professional image, and almost always leads to disappointment and wasted money.

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is also taught in every school's graphic curriculum and is another essential part of a student software package. It is also an essential tool for anyone who needs to express ideas visually in print, on the Web, and in any other medium. When my clients send me a rough pencil drawing of the logo they want for their business, I create the logo in Illustrator then import into Photoshop to get it ready for their web page. Illustrator has great 3D features, advanced typographical controls, Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) integration and enhanced printing options. Illustrator will help create and efficiently publish your artwork anywhere.
Tip! Don't give your visitors a headache. Keep your web design consistent and use style sheets.

One of the nicest features is the ability to apply live effects without affecting the underlying artwork, so you can edit at any time without starting over. There are blending modes and transparency effects similar to those in Photoshop software but, unlike Photoshop, Illustrator has intuitive tools such as the Pencil, Smooth, Erase, and Pen tools.

Adobe InDesign

InDesign is the best page layout software available and is the choice of most print design professionals. With the advent of paid subscription totally-digital magazines, it is getting popular for laying out the print like pages of these products. It can integrate with both Photoshop and Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF) file formats and supports the multiple layer capability of Photoshop. It is an all around necessary tool for the professional graphic designer. Although not usually covered in most curriculums, it is a welcome addition to any academic software package,

Adobe GoLive

GoLive is Adobe's answer to Dreamweaver. It has all of the features that you can find in Dreamweaver and is integrated directly into the rest of adobe products. Personally, I prefer Dreamweaver but golive is an excellent HTML editor and completes the suite for a web designer. Although usually on touched in classes, GoLive is welcome addition to any student software package.

Adobe Acrobat

Acrobat is the number one tool used to create the widely used PDF document format. With its built in security features that can prevent the user from copying or changing the document and the ability to require a password to open the document, acrobat is still one of the leading choices for creating paid e-books. This program is an absolute necessity for a web designer and therefore a welcome addition to the academic software package.
Tip! Meet Suggested Deadlines: A good web design firm will give you target dates for images, content, keyword development and site structure. Be prepared to meet the proposed deadlines at the agreed time or you will be put on the sidelines while the developer works with a client that has their act together.

Adobe Version Cue

Version Cue is a file manager that tracks the different versions of the files you create with the graphics as well as some others. It is a very nice tool if you have several people collaborating on a project since you can maintains a complete change history of the files.

If you are a student, teacher or educational institution that qualifies for the academic software discount price, please visit http://www.sprysoft.com to see what is available.

Web Page Design Software

Web page design software is software applications that help users create a Web site. Web design software applications include Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) editors, image editors and applications used to create Web animations.

HTML editors allow designers to code Web pages without the knowledge of HTML. Some of these software applications have wizards, which make creation of Web sites possible for even novice users. The most popular and powerful HTML editors are Microsoft FrontPage and Macromedia DreamWeaver. Free HTML editors are also available and can be downloaded from various Internet sites.

Image editing software applications allow a Web designer to create the graphics for a Web site. Popular image editing software applications include Adobe PhotoShop and Macromedia Fireworks. These software applications do require some training before a new user can use them effectively.

Web animation software applications such as Macromedia Flash allow an animator to create animations for the Internet. These animations are light and load quickly. However, they require a browser plugin to be installed before they can be viewed.

While selecting Web design software it is important to keep a few things in mind. Firstly, the software should support the Operating System. Some software packages are designed for Apple Mac computers and may not be compatible with Microsoft Windows operating system and vice versa. The second step would be to check the quality of Web pages already designed using the software. The software should also have features for checking spellings and broken or missing links on the Web pages. Some software applications also help in publishing the completed Web design on the Internet.
Tip! Navigation – When building your web design, don't forget that navigation will be key to allowing visitors to properly benefit from your site. The key is consistency and easy access.

Due to ease of use of and the reduction of the work involved in creating a design, Web design software applications have become hugely popular.

Web Page Design provides detailed information on Web Page Design, Free Web Page Design, Web Page Design Software, Web Page Design Companies and more. Web Page Design is affiliated with Custom Web Site Designers.

Foreign Web Design Nightmare

Why Outsourcing Isn't Always "Cheaper"

You want a cheap website? Try Romania, Hong Kong or India…they offer cheap labor, quick turnaround time and service around the clock…but they can also end up costing you A LOT more money in the long-term.

The trick is knowing when to use these companies. Many businesses start without really defining their marketing direction or overall vision. In the beginning, budgets are tight…and the need for a solid marketing message is often overlooked.

Working with a design "production" company in another country or even in the U.S. requires that you have a clear vision of your marketing direction and are able to communicate that. If you do not know EXACTLY what you want, you will most-likely get something that is not effective or you will spend hours and hours of wasted time going back and forth to refine your concept.

An effective website - one that sells customers - has a clear marketing message, graphics that support your brand and a logical way to capture a potential customer's contact information or encourage them to contact you. Then, you must have a great follow-up program.

Foreign design companies have no idea how to come up with appropriate marketing content. They can create great graphics, sites that load quickly and work well, and they are very professional. But, you must tell them exactly what you want or you will get a worthless website. You see this over and over - websites that look amazing and work great, but have no logical message or clear statement about the company they represent.

Necessary steps to working with a Foreign Web Design Company:

1. Define your brand: It is well worth the money to hire a brand strategy specialist to help you define your brand message, category and promise. This is the foundation of all of your marketing material and will save countless hours and wasted money.
2. Create a message your audience can relate to: Who is your target customer? What inspires them to buy or learn more about your company? A clear, written message on your website can be almost four times as effective as graphics.
3. Have a clear plan: When you approach a foreign design company to create your website, you must give them the specific parameters of what you need. They will need the sitemap, some idea of your brand and the overall look you want, and all of the text you plan to "plug" into the site. You will also want to provide them with special instructions for marketing your site - for example, do you want a pop-up screen with a special offer? Or maybe a newsletter opt-in?
4. Make yourself available: You can't just hand them your plan and expect your project to turn out well. Providing constant feedback is essential.

Tip! No one likes an ugly web site, but what people don't like even more than an ugly web site, is a non-functioning web site. My final cardinal rule of good web design is the philosophy that every web site should look as good as it functions.

In short, if you are willing to take the steps to work with a foreign design company, your results can be great and you can save a lot of money. But if it is too much of a headache or you do not have the expertise, it's best to go with a marketing company that can guide you through the process of developing a solid marketing direction and a website that supports your marketing efforts. You'll save more money in the long run and make more sells.

In 2002, Laura founded VirtualMG.com, a branding and creative agency specializing in website design, advertising, corporate identity, direct mail and marketing strategy. Some past and current clients include Lucas Arts, The Sharper Image, TRW, Xerox, American Airlines and First Interstate bank.

Why You Should Outsource Your Web Design Projects To Greece

Greece has always been known as a place of architectural beauty and a country of historical evolution. But Greece is more than its beautiful sceneries. It has a lot more to offer. This European country has a stable economic environment over the years. It is one of the leading countries that have embarked in the outsourcing industry. To date, Greece has been offering its services to nearby European countries and in America.

Outsourcing your web-related projects to Greece is one thing you should be confident of. Greece has strengthened the skills of its programmers and web designers by providing them with a strong academic education. Technical schools and universities make sure that they are updated with the current trend in the Worldwide Web.

Greeks are not only technically knowledgeable, their creativity and talent in web design is also a prevalent skill. Their flair for art is evident in the beauty around them. Modern and ancient sculptures, famous monuments and magnificent architectural establishments influence its designers' eye for detail and love for simple and elegant style.
Tip! Design for your targeted audiences, ask for feedback before you finalise your web design with your users.

Even if you are in the other end of the globe, communication will never be an issue. Greece has advanced telecommunication tools and broadband connections are everywhere. Greece is never left behind when in comes to modern means of communication. Mobile phones, e-mail and online messaging are only three of the most popular ways of contacting Greece.

Most people won't outsource their project to outside countries mainly because of communication barrier. You might think that you would be greatly misunderstood and wouldn't get what you exactly want. When you hire Greeks, you don't have to worry about this. English is the second language in this country. Almost everybody understands and speaks English. Rest assured that communication would be smooth flowing and you would get what you want.

If you want quality work, then you don't have to think twice on outsourcing your projects to Greece. There is a high standard of work etiquette amongst its people. Plus, even at such world-class efficiency, they have lower rates compared to other countries in Europe and in the United States. Rates are very competitive and would definitely fit right your budget.

Payment processing is hassle-free. Greece has various international banks available to be of service to its foreign clients. Credit card payments are also widely acceptable around the country. You don't have to wait long weeks for your payment to reach Greece, wire transfer takes only 2-3 days to process.

Greek companies are required to be VAT registered. This way, you are assured of the legitimacy of any business transactions you may have. This means you are issued with official invoice that you can add to your company's expense.
Tip! Colors – Although it might seem that colors are among the simplest decisions that you need to make for your web design, once you get started, you may find that it's more challenging than you first thought. Colors are very important to the overall appearance of your website, and will influence people's decisions to find out what your site has to offer, and their decision to return.

Partnering with the beautiful country of Greece may be the best decision you are yet to make for your company. And probably, the best thing about this partnership is it gives you the perfect reason to visit Greece! You can explore a country that speaks of cultural elegance and spectacular sceneries. To experience Greek hospitality is really something to look forward to. Try outsourcing your projects to Greece today, and they would surely get the job done for you, professionally and in a timely manner. What more could you ask for?

Vasilios Tsiavos is the owner of one of the most respected web design firms in Greece, nbh internet services which offers outsourcing opportunities to many businesses in Europe and the US.

Boston Web Design Branding - Brand Identity Guru

A branding company's website purpose is to design websites that will attract attention, give a professional image and support the message you are trying to convey in writing. There are arguments for doing your website design in-house. However website design, search engine optimization and copywriting is a very specialized area and utilizing a website design company can pay big dividends.

It is a cross between graphic design, programming, copywriting, brand building and direct marketing. It is difficult enough trying to find a website design company with these skills, let alone finding the talent in-house. If your website is going to become a major focus of your business, then it could possibly be worth considering hiring a full-time website design company with the necessary search engine optimization and copywriting skills. However, it is probably more cost effective to outsource the work to a website design company.

It is vitally important to hire professionals form a website design company - badly designed websites reflect badly on your business. Even if the design of the website looks presentable - unless it follows the rules of web marketing, image handling, copywriting, search engine optimization and the many other aspects of web development - it will not do its job properly. Which is why selecting a website design company is so important. Presenting your goods and services in the most appealing way that will generate a response from potential customers is a very specialized skill, something a web company should be very good at.
Tip! One of the most important cardinal rules of functional, good web design, is if you have to explain how your navigation works..

By hiring a professional website design company they are able to provide cutting edge website designs that uses advanced information architecture and custom designs. Online marketing begins with the initial concept and design of your website. This is far more than just reflecting your marketing strategy. The design of your website is an integral part of the marketing process. This is achieved by incorporating search engine optimization, direct response techniques, relationship marketing and consumer psychology into your website.

This results in a custom design that will entice visitors back again and again, build a community, develop brand loyalty and nurture a long term relationship that will turn a regular visitor into a valued customer.

Sometimes a website design company is only interested in making your website look good, you should expect higher goals. A good web firm designs websites that not only project a professional image but also serve a specific marketing purpose. This is achieved by combining cutting edge website design from a professional website design company and search engine optimization with advanced marketing and relationship building techniques.
Tip! Make sure the template is only the foundation to your web design building. This may mean that you use the overall structure of the design, but change all the graphics to make the design more personalized.

As you can see - website design is far more than just creating a nice looking design, although that is still a vital element. There are so many components that have to fit together and the website has to do the job of directing visitors through the website so they get the information they need, take the action you want without becoming overwhelmed or lost.

Scott White is President of Brand Identity Guru a leading Corporate Branding and Branding Research firm in Boston, MA.

Brand Identity Guru specializes in creating corporate and product brands that increase sales, market share, customer loyalty, and brand valuation.

This Article may be freely copied as long as it is not modified and this resource box accompanies the article, together with working hyperlinks.

Over the course of his 15-year branding career, Scott White has worked in a wide variety of industries: high-tech, manufacturing, computer hardware and software, telecommunications, banking, restaurants, fashion, healthcare, Internet, retail, and service businesses, as well as numerous non-profit organizations.

Brand Identity Guru clients include: Sun Life Financial, Coca Cola, HP, Sun, Nordstrom, American Federal Mortgage, Franklin Sports and many others, including numerous emerging growth companies.