Ten awesome, grungy rock-n-roll fonts

Two of the latest design trends over the past year have been unique, outstanding typography and grungy website and graphic designs. Although not all trends should be followed, this is one that's caught my attention and has warranted a lot of interest. While doing a lot of browsing on the web, I compiled a list of some of my favorite grungy fonts that are available – for free. Take a look; you might find something you can use in a design concept. If nothing else, just take the time to look at how far typography for the web has come since the days of Comic Sans and Verdana.

1. Old Press

Old Press lives up to its name; it has this nice, old school punk rock feel to it. The eroded print makes it look almost like it came from newspaper. It's perfect for posters or designs that have newspaper elements to them.

2. Birth of a Hero

This font caught my interest because it looks a lot like a font one of my favorite bands uses for their logo. The difference here is that the clean, sophisticated lines are juxtaposed with deconstruction. It gives it this nice grungy look without being overwhelming or looking too dirty. This is one of the cleaner grungy fonts out there – it's sure to catch attention when used in posters, banners, and graphics.

3. Acid Label

Acid Label reminds me a lot of something you'd find on an alternative clothing label. The hatching and speckled displacement is in all the right places to make a really spectacular impact. You won't forget this one easily.

4. Far Cry

While some of the other fonts could be described as punk rock if compared to a genre of music, Far Cry is more reminiscent of 80's arena and glam rock. The way some of the characters are larger than others makes them really stand out and draw attention – it's a bold statement in more than one way.

5. Requiem

Although I tend to prefer sans serif fonts, Requiem caught my eye. It's a strong font that makes its statement – it's grungy but elegant.

6. HVD Poster

7. VTKS Ink

8. Denial

There's something about Denial; maybe it's the backwards N character that drew me in, or the subtle stroke lines around the lettering. This font looks like something you'd use on a stamp – it's bold and loud with an industrial flair.

9. Keyboard Plaque

10. Trash

Trash is one of the most interesting grunge fonts I came across. I love how it looks like it's been cut out of a magazine, with the print smeared. But what really makes this font fantastic is how the letters are at varying angles. It's a real eye- catcher.

Even if you aren't a designer or aren't interested in being involved in designing something, hopefully these free fonts have given you some inspiration for a concept. You can contact a designer, like Codank Web Design, to discuss any ideas you have and set up an appointment to launch your design project into reality.

Web Design vs. Web Development

Over the years, many people have used web design and web development synonymously. When people think of web design (and sometimes even graphic design), they generally think of the entire process of creating the site from the conceptualization of the design to the back end programming and database work. Although there are many web designers who can do these things, web design typically refers to a smaller niche of web development. In order to clear up the roles of web designers and web developers, let's take a closer look.

Web design refers to planning and creating the site as well as the graphic and media elements. This is where web development and graphic design cross; many graphic designers also create the concepts and designs for web pages, using programs such as Adobe Fireworks or Photoshop. Many web designers also know HTML and CSS, and how to write JavaScript. However, this does not mean that web designers are always programmers. As a whole, web design generally has to do with the front end work on the site, focusing on the appearance, the layout, and the first impression.

Web development, on the other hand, refers to the overall creation and maintenance of the website. This can include web and graphic design, but it more often than not refers to work with coding and programming the site functionality; this includes database work, application development, networking, and work with servers - back end work. Web development is a more general term that covers all niches of the Internet and website creation.

When seeking out someone to work on your websites, you should understand the difference and know what you are looking for. In many small scale cases, web design and development are handled by the same person, but for larger scale sites, you should look into hiring a web development company, such as Codank Web Design and Application Development.

About CODANK Web Design

CODANK is a top rated Web Design and Internet Marketing firm located in Charlotte, NC. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality, cost effective custom software development services, delivering a broad range of business consulting and outsourcing services.

For more information, visit us at www.codank.com

How to create a web page wireframe in Fireworks CS4

Even if you don't know how to develop a website using HTML and CSS, you can still give your web developer an idea of what you want by drawing pictures of the layout. You can do this on paper, but for a more precise, clean rendition, you should use tools such as Adobe Fireworks CS4 to achieve the look you want. This is usually called a wireframe - a stripped down, visual representation of the page that only shows the layout, not the individual elements or content like buttons, colors, and images. In this tutorial, we're going to look at how we can create a web page wireframe in very little time using Fireworks CS4.

First, open Fireworks and create a new document by clicking File then New. You can make it any size you want, but I advise making your document a screen size resolution. I've made mine 1280 px wide by 800 px high; you always want your document to be wider to mimic a computer screen. You also want to choose your background color here. If you'd like to make it a custom color, then do so, but if you'd rather let someone else help you figure out the colors or you haven't figured them out yet, then choose white for now.



Usually, when designing a page, I start with the elements that frame the page, such as the header and the footer. Here, we can start by designating space for the top banner and the logo. We'll need to use the rulers and guides to measure out the space. If you don't see rulers, click View then Rulers. Likewise, if you are not able to pull down guides by clicking and dragging from the rulers, then click View, Guides, then Show Guides and Snap Guides. Once you've dragged your guides in place, make sure the Pointer tool at the top of the Tools panel is selected. Then you can hold down Shift to check the measurements between guides.

For this demonstration, I've pulled three guides out and measured 90 px from the top and 50 px on each side (for white space) for the banner and logo area. You can measure any amount you'd like. Once you have your guide in place, select the rectangle tool from the Tools panel. It may be hidden under another shape tool, in which case you should click on the black arrow at the corner of the button.



Now choose your color for the fill and the stroke (border) of the rectangle. To do this, look at the properties panel and click on the color swatches next to the pencil and paintbucket. If you don't see the color you want on the swatches provided, then click on the color wheel at the top of the pop up box to get more options. You can choose any color you'd like, but I generally use neutrals for wireframes. This keeps the focus on the elements of the page. I've chosen to use gray for my boxes.



Next, create some boxes to represent the logo and any other information you want to put at the top. Use the guides to measure some white space around them, so they won't be pressed against the border of the banner or the banner space. Then, select the text tool in the Tools panel and choose a font that you want to type into the boxes. You can use the Properties panel at the bottom to choose the font family, font style, font weight, font color, alignment, etc.



Since we have our banner area finished, we can move on to the navigation bar. For this demonstration, I've chosen to use a horizontal navigation bar at the top. Use the guides to measure out width and height (I've made mine 50 px high with the same width as the banner area). Use the rectangle tool to drag the box out; you can use a different color or shade for the fill if you'd like.



To represent different buttons on the navigation bar, we need to divide it and use the line tool to create dividers. To do this, measure the length of the navigation bar using your guides, then divide it by the number of buttons you want to have. For example, my navigation bar is 1180 px wide and I want 5 buttons. So I need to divide 1180 by 5, which gives me 236 px per button. Use the guides to measure out 236 px, then use the line tool (located above the rectangle tool) to create dividers. To get a perfectly straight line, hold down Shift while dragging the line down.



Next, use the Text tool to choose a font and a font size and type the names of the buttons on the navigation bar. You can use the pointer tool and guides to move the text and line them up.



In a likewise manner, you can use the same guides for the header and the navigation bar to create your footer. Just draw a box within the guides and type placeholder text where you'd want to put your actual text, such as copyrights, the year(s), and the companies or individuals that need to be credited.

Then, use the guides to measure the different divisions of your page. I've chosen to divide mine into three sections. For the first horizontal section, I've measured 160 px from the bottom of the navigation bar. For the second column, I've measured 285 px from the right side of the page. After you've decided how much space you want to give to each section of the page, select the line tool and use the color picker in the Properties panel to select a color. I've chosen a light gray to make it as unobstructed as possible. Then, hold down the Shift key while following your guides.



You can use the rectangle tool to create another placeholder (for an image, text, another element) in the sections, or you can use the Text tool to type a text placeholder. I've chosen to paste some dummy text in the top section. Again, you can choose the colors, the styles, the font family, etc.



For the second section, I've chosen to create some image placeholders. I've chosen a light blue to set it apart from the rest of the elements. Just like with the navigation bar, some math might be involved (if you have precise numbers and images already chosen; otherwise, you can eyeball it). Measure out the width of the second division from the edge of the header area to the vertical divide. Decide how much space you want between each image (and between the final image and the vertical divide) and add it up. Subtract that number from the total width and then divide that answer by the number of images you have (in this case, 3). That should give you the width of each box. You can create one box and then copy and paste it to create the others.



Now, finish adding in your elements. You can use the text tool and/or the rectangle tool to represent text and images/videos/other dynamic elements on your page. Place them wherever you'd like and format that in any way you'd like. The best rule to keep in mind is to give each element some white space on each side and line them up with other elements. The guides will help you with this.



The final result looks good – and it shows how things are laid out without overwhelming stylization. This will give you (or the web developer) a good idea about how to code the page when it comes time. Finally, save your file by clicking File and then Save As.



Now that you've seen how you can create a web page wireframe, you can design layouts and get a feel for how it will look before you start developing your site. You can talk to a design company, such as Codank Web Design, to get help developing your concept and your website.

About CODANK Web Design

CODANK is a top rated Web Design and Internet Marketing firm located in Charlotte, NC. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality, cost effective custom software development services, delivering a broad range of business consulting and outsourcing services.

For more information, visit us at www.codank.com

How to avoid scope creep

We've all experienced it at some point - you start a project with one thing in mind, and it just keeps getting bigger and more expensive and time-consuming as more and more features are added on. When it comes to designing a web page, scope creep can do more than blow budgets and deadlines. It can ultimately ruin the concept with too much jazz and not enough clarity and functionality. However uncontrollable it may seem, there are some things you can do to help prevent that urge to 'add just one more thing.'

1. 
   Understand and communicate the scope of the project. Sometimes, scope creep happens because the project isn't outlined in specific detail. Vague descriptions can cause people to go beyond what is necessary and continue to add features until they run past the deadline. When working with your development and design team, you need to lay out the specifics and make sure they understand what you want. Be sure to check in on their progress frequently and talk to them at each step of the project. Listen and share your concerns - but be careful only to include valid concerns instead of wistful thinking.
   


2. 
   Make an ordered list of objectives and assign importance to each item. Once you've agreed on what to include in the project, you need to make a list describing each step and each goal that you want to accomplish. You need to decide how critical each aspect is to the overall completion of the project and make sure to focus additional time and resources to those items. This will keep you from getting caught up in the small, less significant details. As far as web design is concerned, aesthetics mean nothing if the framework and structure are neglected.
   


3. 
   Construct a schedule and leave room for the unexpected and errors. In the initial stages of development, you need to create a schedule that details when each part of the project should be completed. Give a little extra time beyond your prediction so developers can correct errors and other bumps in the road. There will be mistakes and there will be problems; nothing is ever launched without a hitch of some sort. But if you give yourself just enough room to fix errors without giving too much time to be tempted to add new items, then you should stay on task and complete your project on time.
   

Although you will inevitably encounter some degree of scope creep, if you stick with your objectives and plan, you should be able to keep it relatively under control. When developing your website, you can contact a web design and development company, such as Codank Web Design, to help you through the whole process of planning and developing.

About CODANK Web Design

CODANK is a top rated Web Design and Internet Marketing firm located in Charlotte, NC. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality, cost effective custom software development services, delivering a broad range of business consulting and outsourcing services.

For more information, visit us at www.codank.com

The Importance of Learning Web Standards

Most anyone can learn to create a basic web page using HTML. However, a lot of people who learn how to create webpages only know the basics or the old ways of doing things; they don't know about the latest web standards. Although writing code using old techniques does still work, there are many good reasons why web standards should be followed, and that goes beyond being prepared for old techniques to stop working in newer browsers. In addition to being future proof, you are doing yourself a lot of favors by learning and keeping up with the latest developments in web standards. For example:


It allows you to write more efficient code. Not only are you able to reuse code you've already written, but you are also doing your visitors a favor. By separating structure from style by placing all stylistic CSS elements in an external style sheet, you are able to make your pages load more quickly. Putting the same style elements on every single HTML file means that the browser has to read it every time it loads a new page. On the other hand, using an external style sheet allows browsers to cache the file and save users' bandwidth. The less time it takes to load a page, the more likely your visitors will want to stick around and browse.


Changes and updates are easy when you keep your pages written in plain XHTML and use an external style sheet. Instead of taking hours trying to find all the style elements in every single page - even with copying and pasting - you can make a change in one place and have it rendered throughout the entire site. Structural changes are easier to make too without all those style elements cluttering the document.


Universal usability is ensured. This means that alternate content is provided for people without sight or hearing, as well as people with different input devices. For example, the blind can access information on a web site using a screen reader, but cannot see any images accompanying the text. In this case, alternate text is provided that describes the image. Elements on the page should be properly marked up too. For instance, by placing more than two items, such as navigation links, into a list, then it will make it easier for people with disabilities to navigate.


Crossplatform and device compatibility should also be kept in mind. When following web standards, you make sure that all your bases are covered; your web site can be accessed from any browser and any device. This is where using an external style sheet also comes into play. When accessing sites from mobile browsers, the critical information (the structure and content) is rendered while the stylistic information can be adjusted to fit the screen size and browser. Being compatible with many platforms and devices will also get you higher rankings and visibility on search engines like Google; this is called search engine optimization (SEO).


With all these benefits, it's hard to see why anyone wouldn't want to learn and follow the latest web standards. It may take some time to get in the habit of using them, but it'll be well worth it in the future.

About CODANK Web Design

CODANK is a top rated Web Design and Internet Marketing firm located in Charlotte, NC. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality, cost effective custom software development services, delivering a broad range of business consulting and outsourcing services.

For more information, visit us at www.codank.com

How Cheap Design Is Expensive

Choosing a web designer for your company's website can be a daunting task. With so many options out there, you might not know where to start. However, chances are that you're in the market for the cheapest solution available. Although it may seem economical and effective at first glance, many companies find that they get what they paid for - and end up having to spend more money in order to fix their site so they can have a professional online presence.


From our experience, we have found that clients who picked a designer who wasn't professional ended up spending twice as much money in order to clean up the mess or finish the job. Many cheaper web designers do not have as much knowledge, skill, or experience; therefore, designs can be cluttered or messy, and they don't always serve the purpose desired. Even if it seems outwardly appealing at first glance, when it comes time to update your site or make changes, you might be in for a nasty surprise. Designers and developers who don't adhere to web standards or good structure can write code that is difficult to change, even when it comes to simply updating content. Cheap web designs are likely not to follow web standards or rules for good search engine optimization either. Your site could end up being inaccessible to customers due to issues with universal usability or because it was buried under many pages of results in a search engine. Problems like these can cost your company a lot of money to set right. There is no way to compensate for the lost time or the lost business.


As the mistakes become more and more apparent, businesses have to look for other designers to fix it. If they make the same mistake of hiring someone for a price that seems like a steal because they aren't as experienced, then they run the risk of continuing in the cycle until they finally do find someone knowledgeable. By this time, the company has spent more money than they bargained for, and more than they would have if they'd contacted a respectable designer or company in the first place.


With these things in mind, if you are in the market for a website, then do your research and get to know the skill level of your designer before agreeing to work with him or her. Companies, like Codank Web Design, are the best place to start your search. So don't go the cheap route and end up with a website that will cost you time and money; go with someone you know is reputable. It will save you much grief later.

About CODANK Web Design

CODANK is a top rated Web Design and Internet Marketing firm located in Charlotte, NC. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality, cost effective custom software development services, delivering a broad range of business consulting and outsourcing services.

For more information, visit us at www.codank.com

Templates vs. Custom Web Design

When it comes to launching a website for you company, a template might seem like the best way to go. After all, many templates are free, and others seem ready-to-go with little cost and little hassle compared to making the site yourself or hiring someone to make it. Quick, easy, functional. That's what you might think at first, but there are some things to consider before you decide to use a template for your company's web site.


The first thing you should realize is that you have limited customization options with templates. Although you can make some changes, it can be difficult to do, especially if you have little or no experience with HTML and CSS. Some templates have so many strangely named files that you'd be lucky to even find the correct one, much less make a lot of major aesthetic changes.


That brings us to the next point - originality. With limited customization options, and with so many businesses out there looking for a "cheap and easy" solution, you will end up having the same design as another company. Your company will blend in with the crowd instead of standing out. Your website speaks for you and your company; visitors will draw conclusions based on your web presence. Remember, you want to be as memorable and professional on the Web as you would be in person. You want to make a good impression.


The final, and most important point, is that you will have to go in and make changes to the coding. Templates do not contain meta data about your company so making sure your site is optimized for search engines is your responsibility. Not to mention templates do not always conform to web standards, such as universal usability. This means that you will have to have the knowledge, skill, and tools to know where to look and how to change the coding. It can end up taking more time than necessary for a less than stellar result.


Although templates may seem like a quick and easy solution, they can end up taking more time, money, and effort. Hiring a web designer or developer, like Codank Web Design, to create your site is beneficial to you in the end. It will be done right the first time. So if you want your site to be accessible, visible to search engines, and uniquely attractive, a custom web design is the way to go.

About CODANK Web Design

CODANK is a top rated Web Design and Internet Marketing firm located in Charlotte, NC. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality, cost effective custom software development services, delivering a broad range of business consulting and outsourcing services.

For more information, visit us at www.codank.com

Web Design as a Business Investment

Having an online presence is important for businesses to succeed in today's competitive environment. Many people use the Internet to shop, to compare companies and prices, and to search for products and information. The good news is that having a web presence costs less than having a physical presence, and it allows you to reach a wider range of customers. However, if poorly built and maintained, a web site will frustrate users and result in the loss of visitors and sales.


At this point, you might be tempted to look into free or cheap templates. You might wonder why it matters how the web site is created as long as it looks nice and seems to work. However, considering how many free templates are not up to snuff with web standards, you might find yourself spending much more money and time fixing the faulty coding. Web standards are in place to ensure sites work the same across browsers and operating systems and are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. This will prevent you from alienating a group of users - and quite possibly a good percentage of customers. A well designed web site is also easier to maintain and change, saving you time and money. Above all, remember that your web site speaks about you and your company; you want to make a good impression.


Now that you see how important proper web design is, you might be wondering when you will have the time to set a proper site up. The good news is that you don't have to - Codank web design can do it for you. You provide the business information, the concept, and the content, and we work to make your dream site a reality. Our team consists of highly trained and experienced individuals who will work with you and listen to your desires and concerns. Codank will provide you with a site that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but accessible and highly visible to search engines (SEO). In addition, maintaining your new site is a snap using our content management system. You can put up new information just like that. So contact Codank, Charlotte NC website Design Company, today for a consultation , and you can relax knowing your web site is in good hands.


About CODANK Web Design


CODANK is a top rated Web Design and Internet Marketing firm located in Charlotte, NC. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality, cost effective custom software development services, delivering a broad range of business consulting and outsourcing services.

For more information, visit us at www.codank.com

A New Year, A New CODANK Charlotte Web Design

With the recent rise of Web Design companies in the Charlotte area, one company has worked very hard to stand out from the rest. Established in 2007, CODANK Charlotte Web Design and Internet Marketing Company has dedicated itself to delivering top-notch service to the surrounding area.

A commitment to outstanding Search Engine Marketing, Web Hosting, E-Commerce, and Internet Marketing - CODANK Charlotte Web Design Company offers superior web development portfolios for all of their clients.

Not all Internet companies are able to provide customers with visual efforts that shine through their websites. With the support of CODANK Charlotte Web Design, every client is presented with an impressive web design that conveys an effective user experience needed to draw in that desired traffic flow.

CODANK has grown into one of Charlotte’s most incomparable full-service companies within the last two and a half years. Ready to explore new ventures, CODANK is very excited about the New Year.
A brand new year means a brand new opportunity to provide our clients with exceptional work. In 2010, CODANK promises to continue transforming business strategies into tailored Internet solutions that meet every company’s marketing needs now and in the future.

During the New Year, CODANK Charlotte Web Design and Internet Marketing Company is excited to introduce our new customer portal – CMSenabled. This highly thought-out Content Management System is a user-friendly tool made specifically with CODANK clients in mind. CMSenabled will allow our customers to not only better communicate with us but also receive Search Engine Optimization updates, easily pay invoices, view project progressions and request necessary changes to their websites.

About CODANK Charlotte Web Design

CODANK is a top Charlotte Web Design and Internet Marketing Company located in Charlotte, NC. The company is dedicated to providing a broad range of web design services. CODANK specializes in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Graphic Design, Online Marketing, and Web Design and Development.

For more information, visit CODANK Charlotte Web Design and Internet Marketing Company at www.codank.com

CODANK Charlotte Web Design and Internet Marketing Company

Delivering a broad range of business consulting and outsourcing services, CODANK Web Design and Internet Marketing Company is one of Charlotte’s top rated design firms.

Established in 2007, CODANK has dedicated itself to providing clients both locally and nationally with outstanding professional service. The company targets either small to medium businesses or motivated entrepreneurs who don’t mind the satisfaction they receive from affordable designs.

CODANK Charlotte Web Design and Internet Marketing Company offers top-notch services that include:

Web Design and Development – Web Hosting, Project Management, Content Management Systems, E-Commerce, Web Applications

Graphic Design – Logo Design, Brand Identity

Internet Marketing – Internet Consulting, Email Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Search Engine Marketing

CODANK’s success is contributed to its inventive team of web specialist, creative designers, writers, programmers and marketing professionals that know how to get not only physical marketable results but online results as well.

If you are interested in learning more about CODANK Charlotte Web Design’s development process or have a question about their services, please visit www.codank.com

SSL, TLS, and HHTPS: What This Means For You

Every Internet user has had concerns about security at some point in time. It seems, though, that most are more concerned about programs stealing their information by downloading themselves onto their computers than they are concerned about freely giving their information away. They are usually worried about the latest virus, spyware, trojan horse, worm, malware, or adware while there are numerous web pages that take in valuable information without protecting it. It is very uncommon to find someone who does not protect their computer from all these mysterious, dangerous software but it is very common to find one who quickly trusts a website with their credit card or other information. I say all of this to make one point: securing a website is just as important, if not more, than securing your computer.

SSL/TLS is short for Secure Sockets Layer and Transport Layer Security and it is basically the most efficient means of providing data integrity for you and your customers. HTTPS is the prefix that signifies a website that uses SSL. What this means for you is that all forms of communication between the client and the server are safe. It could be anything from sending an e-mail address to forms that hold valuable financial information. The short explanation of how this technology works is as follows: the client and server “agree” on a means of encryption, then encrypted data is sent, and finally the server uses the information to decrypt the files and they are safe in the control of the rightful owner.

If all of this seems like mumbo jumbo to you, that’s perfectly fine… normal even. The main idea to understand though is that SSL is very important, mandatory even, for a website that deals with any kind of forms or other data sent over the Internet. Not to mention the added safety that your customers feel when their browser tells them they are on a secure site and that nobody can take their information. After all, your customer comes first and the absolute last thing you want is to in avertedly spread their valuable information.

I hope this brings a better understanding of why we use SSL/TLS, what it means, and why it is important to bring it to your website. It is vital for websites that deal with valuable customer information to be secured. Some of you might be saying “well great, something else to slow my website down”. Well fear not, securing a website takes very, very little extra time. It is extremely likely to be completely imperceptible if anything.

About CODANK Web Design of Charlotte
CODANK is top rated Web Design firm, and Internet Marketing Experts located in Charlotte, NC. We are dedicated to provide the highest quality, cost effective custom software development services, delivering a broad range of business consulting and outsourcing services.
Here at CODANK, we understand that web design can present complex issues for our clients. That's why we work closely with you to develop a custom solution that will fit your every need. We take great pride in our ability to analyze each individual situation and apply the most appropriate, proven technologies in order to achieve the goals and objectives of the initiative. We offer full application design and development services, world-class e-Commerce web development, and custom content management solutions to name a few.
All of these products and services are backed by the most important asset CODANK has . . . employees. Each individual works diligently in an open teamwork atmosphere, to bring our clients superior products that deliver great results while providing friendly and responsive customer service. CODANK is your one-stop shop for a custom solution tailored to your specific issue.
Contact us for a free quote today!
For more information, visit us at http://www.codank.com