LostInTechnology

I am not a programmer. I am not a designer. And I don’t think I would like to have those occupations as a full time job. However, people like me (web lovers) must have some skills that allow you to create nice sites, with cool logos.

I have discovered some workarounds that enable me to create semi-professional blogs, websites and logos without spending a ton of money, or learning how to design and program.

Logos

For logos, I like to use two different methods, one that looks quite refined and more professional, and another that’s hand drawn, for a look of warmth and playfulness.

For the more refined look, I use iWeb, creating logos like my Looming Tech logo. Others might use an actual image creator like Gimp, Photoshop, or Seashore, but I’ve found that iWeb is the easiest tool for me. After I have created the logo, I use the Mac screenshot tool (Command, Shift, 4) to take a snapshot of the created logo. Again, this is definitely not the result you would get from a professional designer, but it works just fine for me.

For the less refined look, I draw the logo out on actual paper, and use my scanner to get the drawn logo on to my computer.  After I have the scan, I open up Seashore, a great Mac image editor, to make the logo just right. If I want to add a background color, for instance, purple for the Stretching Cow logo, I can add it easily.

Websites

I’ve covered how I create websites previously, but I’ll just talk for a little bit about it now. In order to create websites without actually coding anything, I use iWeb, a wonderful Mac application that came with my computer. Almost everything is WYSIWYG, and it is incredible easy to create a nice site. If that doesn’t work for you, the next best tool is Squarespace, an amazing web based tool that great for most websites.

Blogs

For blogs, I use WordPress. With my host, Dreamhost, it is incredibly easy to install a WordPress site with a click (which may account for the more than 10 WordPress sites I’ve created this year.) WordPress may not be the best in terms of visual customization without paying money, though. However, I have discovered a really great tool that lets you customize your WordPress site’s facade. Stiqr, which I discovered through MakeUseOf, is an amazing tool that lets you modify not only a WordPress site, but a Blogger or Tumblr site.

Bonus: How to Create a Website Header Image Using PowerPoint

What do you use? Let us know in the comments!

The writer of this post compiles the latest tech news and more at Squealing Rat, and writes about tricks and tips of deception, trickery and survival at Lone Iguana. Find him on Twitter.

Photo: nyuhuhuu