What is the most common graphic program for laying out a website? - HTML Forums

jerrykobes · 01-11-2009, 12:37 PM

I'm learning some front-end web design and I was wondering what program is most commonly used for laying out a website before showing it to a client and coding it. I'm still not at this point in learning some design but I can't help think about it.

The two programs that come straight to my mind are Illustrator and Photoshop, but which one is used when and for what when creating a website. Also, when do you use one with the other. Any information on the topic is greatly appreciated.

danmofo · 01-13-2009, 04:18 PM

Note; i'm no expert, but before i write anything for a new website, i make the layout using photoshop cs3, then slice it into different sections and just put that into my code.

Id think before showing a client it would be pretty easy to knock out a quick mockup of the basic site using photoshop.

Pegasus · 01-13-2009, 04:34 PM

Illustrator is a vector based imaging programme and Photoshop is raster-based. You can use either to create the page, but the Illustrator file will have to be run through Photoshop anyway before you can use it.

Personally, I sketch things onto graph paper and use that to show the client. I can make notes on the back of the page to use when creating the site. I don't slice images from Photoshop to a site. Not if I can help it, anyway. It's easier to redo/revamp later if you're not using images for everything.

rujikin · 01-13-2009, 07:28 PM

I use fireworks CS3. You design it all in pixels so very easy to transfer to website

xtimgx · 01-15-2009, 10:04 AM

I design everything in Fireworks CS3 because it directly works with Dreamweaver so smoothly.