Please take a look: http://lyn.guritom.com/

I try to design an online bookstore index page alone but I still don't feel it looks like one. I don't know photoshop except html and css and that is why ALL images are not mine. It's a test page and I think as long as I don't use it in the production site, it's ok. The page is valid HTML 4.01 Transitional. I need more idea on how to get the look of an online bookstore?

Fix that first, then the website.

yes. Photoshop. Images are the main reason for a website looks beautiful... *sigh*

Sometimes you don't need to know Photoshop to have a good grasp in design. Take www.subtraction.com for example, Khoi Vinh only used CSS black, orange, greys and very little images.

That should prove that sometimes, you don't need an all pretty interface for something to work well.

What I think you need most is organization on the website? Because everything looks glued or pieced fitting like a puzzle, the website looks cluttered. There isn't any focus anywhere other than the books.

My suggestion if you don't wanna do so much Photoshop, go simple and play with the CSS.

Cheers.

I used to tell myself that it's the code and it's not about the image. That's a mistake. Images is as important as positioning. Thank you, for broadern my understanding in this field. I guess I have to start those lynda.com CS for web thingy.

ahhh, etsuko got me there
i'll clarify:
To me having working knowledge of photoshop (and ImageReady) will really speed up the design process. I used to design with only a notepad... it was hell. And you'll probably need to photoshop most of the images you use (even on www.subtraction.com ). It's not that i propagate the importance of images over others, but rather the importance of the tool itself.

even with images, the website may suck:
http://www.mph.com.my/welcome/welcome.cfm

images are not the only reason a website looks beautiful, but it certainly helps.

Thanks wantanseller. Appreciate it.

i always have a storyboard to start with ( rough sketches of the overall concept ) then i execute it in photoshop...bare in mind the images and graphics is just a tool to communicate the overall contents...it might help or kill..

your site is basically content driven...the only pictures/images are maybe for your books cover ..etc...

css is a good way to get a gr8 layout with a fraction of file size...then again i might be wrong.

these are my trustee refference when i'm short of ideas,

http://www.linkdup.com
http://www.coolhomepages.com

n-joy and good luck!

This post has been edited by oniee: Sep 29 2005, 01:14 AM

nice links................

the text 'new arrivals' look too blurry.. maybe u should change the alias used to sharp..
'pepatung bookstore' - maybe some logo instead of plain text.
maybe you should centre the whole thing.
and about the part on the left side.. when we hover it , i think it'll look better if it's not decorated..