Design subforum?

[Bagel]

I've been reading XKCD for a while now, and surfing the forums, but never registered until now.

I've notice the coding forum, which is pretty sweet to us web developers, but what about the web designers?

We need an intelligent community to discuss design trends, photoshop techniques, color schemes, etc...

I haven't been able to find a good design/code based forum yet (any suggestions would be oarsome), so why don't we make one here?

Eh?

[Belial]

I like this idea, despite the fact that I rarely-if-ever venture into the technical fora.

However, some people 'round these parts are kindof allergic to adding subfora. That's not a dealbreaker, but even so, is there any forum that this could be *added* to with a minimum of fuss? Change coding into coding/design forum, for example?

[Hammer]

Design and Coding don't really go together very well. I wouldn't object to a Look and Feel subforum where people could discuss web page design, interface design, etc. It's not really an Analytical Engine, but you can put in my mod domain if you want. Unless the Art people think it would be better over there.

[Jesse]

I support this, although I wonder how much traffic it would get since I haven't seen many web designers around. But maybe they are all quiet because they have no forum.

[Gordon]

I might poke my head into such a forum.

[Hammer]

I support this, although I wonder how much traffic it would get since I haven't seen many web designers around. But maybe they are all quiet because they have no forum.

A quick glance through the first page or two of Coding threads shows about half a dozen that would have gone into this forum. CSS questions, layout philosophy, etc.

[Jesse]

Then I am in full support.

[thefiddler]

I might poke my head into such a forum.

Seconded.

That is a technical forum that I actually would probably venture into on a fairly regular basis.

It really doesn't fit under coding, though -- Hammer is completely correct.

[Bagel]

I support this, although I wonder how much traffic it would get since I haven't seen many web designers around. But maybe they are all quiet because they have no forum.

A quick glance through the first page or two of Coding threads shows about half a dozen that would have gone into this forum. CSS questions, layout philosophy, etc.

Exactly, the fora could include design based coding, rather than dev.

So who do we need to talk to, to get this shit done?

[Hammer]

So who do we need to talk to, to get this shit done?

You talk to the people you are already talking to. They'll take it from here, if they think it's the thing to do.

[Belial]

Does anyone have any reason why we *shouldn't*?

[bbctol]

Does anyone have any reason why we *shouldn't*?

Two many subforas is the only on that comes to mind, but I like subforas. They make everything so uncozy.

[MFHodge]

I have no strong opinion either way, I just wanted to point out the following:

The discussion is about a singular subforum being added to the larger plural fora (or forums). The word "subforas" just blows my mind.

[RealGrouchy]

Hodge, you read my mind. Except for the part of my mind that was saying "Man, I really wish someone else would change the topic title to reflect this!" (which I'll do as soon as I'm done with this post).

Also, to me "design" doesn't imply strictly computer-based [interface/web] design--it also implies graphic design, architecture (i.e. buildings), and Interior Design and other froo-froo shit (e.g. "style").

All this to say, the title of the forum should be more specific than simply "design". "Queer eye for the web guy" might not work.

I might poke my head into such a forum.

Yeah, like that's the [b]only[/i] thing you'll poke into such a forum!

- RG>

[Gordon]

Should I put my pink shoes on first?

[davean]

Also, to me "design" doesn't imply strictly computer-based [interface/web] design--it also implies graphic design, architecture (i.e. buildings), and Interior Design and other froo-froo shit (e.g. "style").

All this to say, the title of the forum should be more specific than simply "design". "Queer eye for the web guy" might not work.

Do we want to restrict it so?

[jestingrabbit]

Do we want to restrict it so?

It seems to me that the non computer kind would fit better in High Culture than Analytic Engines.

[Gelsamel]

If the Art and links subforum is split into a dedicated Graphics Design/Analogue Art sections with even places for people to request avatars/sigs (perhaps mods of xkcd comics) for the xkcd fora.

That would be awesome as fuck.

[Hammer]

Also, to me "design" doesn't imply strictly computer-based [interface/web] design--it also implies graphic design, architecture (i.e. buildings), and Interior Design and other froo-froo shit (e.g. "style").

I don't disagree, but are CSS and Feng Shui going to play nicely together on a single Board?

[davean]

I see the different perspectives and the different cultures but the core ideas are the same. I think it would be best if we *could* fit them together but of course see why it might be a bit difficult.

[Bagel]

Can't it just be centered around Web Design?

How many interior decorators visit xkcd?

The forum shouldn't just be visual designs, I think it should be open for CSS, HTML, color troubles, layout theories, Search Engine Optimization techniques, etc... Which is why I think it should go in the technical forums.

IMO, having experience in both, web design is a completely different world than web development.

[davean]

Search Engine Optimization techniques

I sure hope not; my god, search engine optimization is one of the most annoying things around.

[Hammer]

The forum shouldn't just be visual designs, I think it should be open for CSS, HTML, color troubles, layout theories, Search Engine Optimization techniques, etc... Which is why I think it should go in the technical forums.

You lost me when you got to SEO techniques. We seem to be working with "design" as a look and feel concept, which includes usability. You seem to now be talking about a general web site implementation and maintenance forum. Frankly, I am much less interested in a forum based on the latter definition. I'm interested in color theory and layout. I'm sick to death of "keyword theory".

Under-the-hood website coding questions are fine in the Coding board. If you want to have a thread about SEO, drop it in Help Desk.
Warning: If it turns into a thread about how to misrepresent your site to search engines or dump links in places they have no business being, I'm deleting it.

[edit] Davean is faster than I.

[Bagel]

Ok, you guys might not agree with SEO, and yeah, it would be better outside of a Web Design forum.

But, SEO is very important to understand and implement, and I can charge a few hundred extra for it

[Gordon]

Well then, you clearly don't need us! Quick, take your idea and run before we start looking for our cut!

[Hammer]

But, SEO is very important to understand and implement

This is true. So, you might want get the slashes in your weblink in your profile going in the right direction. (Actually, the entire link looks messed up.)

and I can charge a few hundred extra for it

Unless you give it to us, I'm not sure why that's a factor. It's not like there is a shortage of SEO advice sites.

Something else that is important to understand around here are the rules. If you read them, you will discover that you might also want to swing by and post in the Intro thread instead of coming straight to Site/Forum Issues and asking for things. Otherwise, we might decide that you are a bot playing SEO games on this Forum.

[Bagel]

But, SEO is very important to understand and implement

This is true. So, you might want get the slashes in your weblink in your profile going in the right direction. (Actually, the entire link looks messed up.)

Obviously you're not a fan of The Office, google the "url"
http://www.creedthoughts.gov.www\creedthoughts

and I can charge a few hundred extra for it

Unless you give it to us, I'm not sure why that's a factor. It's not like there is a shortage of SEO advice sites.

Something else that is important to understand around here are the rules. If you read them, you will discover that you might also want to swing by and post in the Intro thread instead of coming straight to Site/Forum Issues and asking for things. Otherwise, we might decide that you are a bot playing SEO games on this Forum.

I read that rule after I posted :/ - But I did read the rules. I used to be an admin on a huge forum, I hated assholes like me that didn't read the rules.
I did register to ask this question though.

I hate SEO just as much as the next person, but I still think its important to discuss trends/tips/trickses. If you guys don't agree I'll open up a word document and talk to myself.

Back to the original topic though: This place needs a design forum, because my kind has no place here.

[Hammer]

Obviously you're not a fan of The Office, google the "url"
http://www.creedthoughts.gov.www\creedthoughts

Ah. I see.

[Bagel]

Also, you may not be getting a cut of the extra $ I charge for SEO, but I'll certainly share everything I know so other's can charge extra if they are ever in that position, or use it for the benefit of their own site.

[hermaj]

Something else that is important to understand around here are the rules. If you read them, you will discover that you might also want to swing by and post in the Intro thread instead of coming straight to Site/Forum Issues and asking for things. Otherwise, we might decide that you are a bot playing SEO games on this Forum.

I read that rule after I posted :/ - But I did read the rules. I used to be an admin on a huge forum, I hated assholes like me that didn't read the rules.
I did register to ask this question though.

I'm sorry... why is it that you still haven't done this? Even if you registered simply to ask for a design forum, I daresay if it is implemented you'll be sticking around to use it. You've been asked to post in the introductions thread, and you need to do this. Now.

[Pseudomammal]

Please can has integrated "design" subforum?

The world already has more than enough inane chatter about web design. I don't see how yet another dedicated place to bitch about IE7 would benefit XKCD, or vice versa.

The more general question of how to make things to be used, however, gets surprisingly little coverage. Some of us design for the web, but like pondering or drawing inspiration from typography, graphic design, industrial design, architecture, usability psychology, etc. I really wish more people saw these things as related. XKCD attracts an unusually ~sentimental sort of nerd -- just the people who can appreciate that aesthetics aren't useless, and utility can be beautiful. The web is hardly the only domain where that applies.

[Bagel]

A place to discuss photoshop/illustrator techniques would be great too.

[Gordon]

I hated assholes like me

I hate them too!

I'll open up a word document and talk to myself.

Sounds like you've got yourself a plan, get some pretzels, make a night of it.

because my kind has no place here.

Are you sure we didn't plan things that way?

[Gelsamel]

Considering the expansion the Technical and Culture forums have been experiencing I'm surprised that the Art forum hasn't experienced a similar expansion.

[Bagel]

So - whats the word from the mods/admins?

[Jesse]

Considering the expansion the Technical and Culture forums have been experiencing I'm surprised that the Art forum hasn't experienced a similar expansion.

I've noticed a general disdain for the 'soft' nerdy things like art and literature.

[MFHodge]

So - whats the word from the mods/admins?

Most of the new subfora have been created because there were a lot of threads on a topic that were either taking up a lot of space somewhere else, or weren't getting enough attention because they were drowning.

My opinion is that I haven't seen enough threads elsewhere that would make this new forum desirable.

[davean]

I haven't done it yet because A) there isn't content B) I feel the idea lacks proper focus and direction. People all want there version of this broad topic.