Posted by drupelmar on May 31, 2011 at 10:04am
Hi there - first post - been playing with drupal for about 2 years.
I have developed a site using only free theme. Now I am at a stage where I need a very professional look.
I am looking for an experienced Themer who can translate a design into an existing drupal frame work.
Tasks would be to theme: calendar, panels, display suite...
Does anybody know an advanced Themer? Or can direct me to someone with examples of their work.
I was thinking of getting a designer and the Themer to work together in a Team.
cheers
Comments
Please give an example of
Please give an example of what you are looking for... Or even your site you are refering to. Am almost certain I we could translate something no problem.
Getting a separate designer
Getting a separate designer and then someone who can then cut their psd file into a drupal theme is pretty common, though not always cheap. It's also worth pointing out that a lot of what your talking about there (calendar, panels etc.) isn't always stuff you can theme in a general way. Most modules that are based on views are going to require specific css per view and that maybe something your going to have to do yourself.
The other major issue with this approach that I have had in the past is that most designers for the most part generally come from a print background and have moved into web design, essentially they are just graphic designers on a new canvas, the problem with this is that good graphic design can often get in the way of good user interface design. I would recommend that if you go down this path you need to have your UI built, debugged and working perfectly before you bring in a designer or a themer.
Yes, exactly as Dale has
Yes, exactly as Dale has pointed out... But not all designers have come from a background as "Just Graphic designers".. Send me your specs via email cmwwebfx@gmail.com or add me to your skype: cmwwebfx
Custom CSS for these elements will be no issue as well as custom views and views theming to get the UI done... Once we chat we can easily work out a wire frame for your requirements.
Thanks Ciaran and Dale, good
Thanks Ciaran and Dale, good advice!
"UI built, debugged and working perfectly before you bring in a designer or a themer."
yeah my site is still under heavy envelopment so might be a bit too early to go full hog into it.
And it looks like that i should really finish UI first.
An other approach what I really would like to is to build a relationship with both Designer and Themer and having only small jobs to start with.
To see if this approach could work. And not really go the direction of: get the psd first then hand it over to the themer. But say I have the UI as I want it - then I would hand over the brief to the Designer and Themer. The Designer and Themer work out a strategy and come back with quotes and work commences in stages. Starting with the front page then working into the site.
I am thinking of having a continues site constantly evolving, because drupal is constantly evolving. So continues work - and I can see a working relationship could be of benefit.
The bottom line: I am interested in quality!
What are your thoughts on that approach?
Do you have any reference sites?
What do you aspire to? Complexity, the perception of, to one person may in fact be not-so-difficult to another. Some reference sites may be helpful.
You may want to consider the budget. If you have a developer and a designer working together, could easily be looking at $10K worth of work.
Scope is also a factor. What browsers do you want to support? Do you require jQuery animation? Whom has final sign-off? Whom is responsible for testing and project management?
That's right 10k can be
That's right 10k can be chewed up quite easily - guess I already put 10k worth of development into it myself but that includes learning some tools. Anyway the truth is lots of people claim that they can do the job - but only a fraction of it is of high standard when it comes to design. Most of us drupelers love the mechanics. How many really have done some formal study in graphic design - I have, only to discover that I am quite average. But now I have the tools to judge and analyze.
To some of your questions:
Yes complexity! along this site: http://citysearch.com.au/tvguide -with similar functionality - not necessarily flash animations in pop-up but kept open for future. and please don't tell me it'll cost me 100k.
Browsers: standard: firefox,ie, safari
css for Mobile device: ifone, android
Project management myself at the moment until prototype/interface developmental is at advanced stage. Then hand over to expert to achieve professional theming and other business goals and requirements could include some redevelopment.
I could do with professional drupal consulting. I am looking for short term and long term solution.