I first came across web design templates in 2007 while working at Blue Cross of Jamaica Limited. As Graphic Designer (Print & Web), I was responsible for developing the website compositions for their website redesign project. I submitted my original designs and also recommended purchasing a web design template which we could then customize to our preferences. Back then I had very little experience developing websites but I did my research and came up with some very good concepts. The project never got off the ground, however I gained a wealth of experience working on the concepts.

Most of the website companies here in Jamaica try to distance themselves from using web design templates, and this has resulted in clients becoming wary of using website templates. However, my background as a print designer has predisposed me to appreciating any tool that simplifies the design process without sacrificing quality and professional standards. The truth is, we all use templates whether we create them from scratch or we buy and customize them.

One of the first things I did when I decided to write this post was googling “template reviews“, as I wanted to check out the template review landscape before I plunged in. The results on the first page were good as it included websites that reviewed the top web design template providers as well as ones that did individual template reviews. I was more interested in the latter as I’m already familiar with most of the template companies, I actually wanted to see how other artists reviewed specific templates – since that’s where I wanted to go. I liked Andreas Viklund‘s website and his post on Template reviews which got some good comments. Like the people who left the comments I believe its a good idea to review templates as well as “remixes” of templates. I will focus on the remix and customization side of things since I haven’t started promoting my own templates as yet.

I’ll be reviewing templates from TemplateMonster, DreamTemplate, ThemeLayout or any other independent provider who designs great templates/themes. I also found a pretty comprehensive review on TopTenReviews website.

Let me know what you think about using website templates…

We finally decided that we would go ahead and create a on Facebook Page as it would be interesting to see how we could integrate our services into the world of social networking and if it would have any impact on what we do.

Of course we are also looking at the possibility of offering Web Development and Social Marketing services to small and medium sized business who are interested in building more interactive and satisfying relationships with their customers by using the tools provided by the above-named social networking utility and other internet resources.

W3Schools

Adobe Resources

Now that Adobe has developed such an eloborate online training program I can access both live (eSeminars) and recorded (OnDemand Seminars) events. The seminars are basically video tutorials on all the different Adobe products and technologies. I have been using this facility for the last year consistently and I am proud to say it has made a big difference. I’m not only able to fully command the applications I new before (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, etc.) but am a competent user of the web and video applications too (Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, Premier, etc.).

Total Training

Lynda.com

Sites like http://www.w3schools.com/ and others have been making a big difference in the way knowledge is accessed nowadays.

Ofcourse, I have complemented what Adobe provides with video tutorials from Total Training and Lynda.com so feel free ro check them out too.

ADS Print & Web is one of Jamaica’s premier independent creative studios. We specialize in providing graphic design, web design, hosting and social media marketing.