[hues]

From where do you get your design ideas? Is it your own creation or you take inspiration from other designs?

[StarLab]

Typically, ideas are usually dictated to me, then I work around them. I've learned to listen to my clients as re-doing things 3-4 times really isn't all that much fun. :)

[3cellhosting]

I agree with StarLab

What I have found is that most clients do not know what they want so I ask them to list sites they hate and why. This saves me from upsetting them :) it also reduces the duplicated effort.

When I think I know what they do want I find a few sites that come close to operative needs and ask for their opinion on colours, layout etc.

I will then knock up a sample layout and if they like it I slice it up with Fireworks and get coding.

Simple - well, except for the customer bit ;)

[imehesz]

I always pick some design ideas for my customers before I start the work (like 4-6) and they can pick which one they like. If they want to buy the template that's fine by me. But sometimes I have to create a similar site.

However (since, I consider myself as a Linux Friend) I use osdw.org (i hope I can recommend them here!). They never let me down :)

Oh, and for CSS tips I always go here CSSZenGarden!

[shavei7]

it helps when clients actually gives you a list of sites that they like then you start from there...study what's the common factors on the sites, etc etc.

however, if it's my personal site that i'm redesigning, i get ideas just about anywhere. sometimes, the design is only a month old but i change it because something 'struck' me :) it's weird actually that my current layout is about 7 months old now. that's a record

[mozza]

Hmm, i wouldn't say my ideas are 100% original because i do get inspired when i see great designs. Then I will blend my ideas with the great ideas that i see to come up with something.

[hues]

Thanks everyone.
I think we all get inspired when we see great designs. And try to blend them in our designs.
It depends a lot on the likes and dislikes of the client, which gives the ideas. Sometimes what we like as the best design may not be impressive for the client.
As David said, I also ask them to list sites they hate. I also ask them to tell me the color of their choice.

Thanks Imehesz for suggesting osdw.org, this seems interesting.

Sometimes the ideas just come out of my head. But sometimes, I get inspiration from really good looking sites and I make it unique. What I mean is, I make it better, I make it more fit to my theme.

[scoooooty]

Whenever I see a website that I really like the design off I often take a screenshot of the site and save it with the many other sites I like. Then when I need some ideas and inspiration I go to these pictures.

[NetoBs]

I do the same as you scoooooty. It turns quite helpful mix diferent Ideas from well designed websites. And as soon people are inspired its like they can create better than they though they could =)