I've been slowing working through the content and structure of http://london-web-design.com/ in the past couple of weeks, and I'm stuck on one graphic to be used on the site. Hopefully someone has a neat-o idea they want to share!

I've been developing the site around the concept that companies looking for a new website will have all their questions answered in plain English, with as little technical jargon as possible. Also, the site will continue to answer some unasked questions they ought to have known. I feel that it's important for me to use simple graphics to hint at what certain pages talk about.

I want "The Stages of Web Design" area to be very concise, and each one will have a graphic at the top each around 560x180. I've got the first one made, and I love it. However, it's the graphic for the second stage that I'm drawing a complete blank.

I think this format is a great way to explain to people, "There are three stages to getting your company's website online, and this is how they go." And I think using a graphic to describe each step is hugely important.

The second stage is Development and Programming. This is the stage where the layout gets transformed from a Photoshop file to XHTML/CSS documents, PHP is written and WordPress is probably installed.

So, if you've got some concepts that may work, let's have 'em! Here are a few general guidelines I have:

• No 3D images or photo-realistic graphics at all (minor drop shadows or other pseudo-3D elements can be OK).
• I'd rather not use a monitor or computer in the graphic, but I can easily change my mind (especially if they're sleek and purdy Apple computers, hehe).
• I kind of want to utilise floral/nature graphics within the image, but if they don't fit, I'm totally cool with that. (I certainly can't seem to make it look good.)
• The blue found around the site needs to be the main color here, and text similar to "Your design is prepped for the web" will be used.

I hope I'm not being to demanding here...

I love that first graphic you've done! I'm thinking you're right to carry on the floral or nature type theme for the next stage, so what about somebody growing things, or tending to a garden, like growing the idea into the actual thing. I'm not explaining what I mean very well, but something like this (I realise this is a photo which isn't what you want, but I just mean from an idea point of view) -

http://www.stockxpert.com/browse.phtml?f=view&id=4281661

Ooh, thanks. Okay, now I'm thinking some type of plant/branch that's coming out of a pot, but instead of flowers, there are some things that look like sheets of paper.

/me switches to my Photoshop space in OS X.

Oh yeah ... Vanessa's got it spot on there!

It's looking REALLY good Ryan!

Okay, I put it up http://london-web-design.com/services/development/

It's a little off balance, so I'll continue to play around with it, but this is what I am looking for.

Thanks a ton, Vanessa!

This post has been edited by Ryan: Apr 17 2008, 09:52 AM

that's a good start! You flower/tree pot needs work tho

I agree, but it's getting there

There, I just tweaked it some more. Should I add some leaves on the longer branch veering off to the left?

How about representing Wordpress with a watering can, rather than a spanner (spanners being less useful, in general, for growing plants)?

**EDIT**

Forget to mention: it looks fab.

This post has been edited by MikeHopley: Apr 17 2008, 10:57 AM

Wooo ... that's good idea Mike

And yeah ... I would add a few leaves on the super long branch ... looks lonely right now

Ta-da! http://london-web-design.com/services/development/

Thanks Mike and Karinne! How's it coming now?

Might be better if it looked like the can was watering the plant rather than watering the word 'WordPress'.

Oh yeah ... getting there.

I agree with vanessa and add some spaying action in there ... some little sprinkles of those document image you have there maybe?

Updated again. I think I'll hold off on the water action for now. This looks a treat!

bah

It looks great!

Splendid!