architect here....website design...How?

[anton]

If the only advantage to using Flash over HTML & Photoshop was that people can't download images, then why are the number of Flash-based sites growing exponentially every year? There are dozens upon dozens of benefits to Flash; not the least of which is far more interactivity and dynamics than HTML.

 

Having a silly intro that must be suffered through - or searching for the SKIP button - isn't the fault of Flash, but the result of a pure design decision. Flash sites don't need an intro whatsoever. Loading times are also 100% the result of design decisions.

 

You're problem isn't with Flash, but with the designers who use and/or abuse the program.

 

The biggest problem with flash is SEO. Most of the search engines will not index your content thus your site is almost invisible to the people that search the web for similar services.

 

With javascript and libraries like MooTools or Jquery you can achieve almost the same level of interactivity that you were able to with flash and the content can be indexed by search engines.

[archkre]

Visit and try Artisteer 2 or Xsitepro: those are very friendly and intuitive last generation programs!

For us, 3D people, are a piece of cake, the learning curve is 0.05!

I am surviving these recession days doing commercial/ marketing sites (like the ones in my signature) and the days of Dreamweaver are gone for me!

Edited September 10, 2009 by archkre

[bmcgonigle]

The biggest problem with flash is SEO. Most of the search engines will not index your content thus your site is almost invisible to the people that search the web for similar services.

 

With javascript and libraries like MooTools or Jquery you can achieve almost the same level of interactivity that you were able to with flash and the content can be indexed by search engines.

 

This is exactly why a pure flash based site is currently undesirable for anyone looking to utilize SEO, organic or otherwise.

 

If your looking for a flashy (pardon the pun) presence with your contact info and portfolio then flash very well may be your solution for now. But if you see yourself doing more with your site like tutorials, articles etc then you should really consider a html site with flash headers/banners or an html based site.

[Bwana Kahawa]

I made a point of teaching myself HTML with CSS and PHP (originally using Notepad!) and haven't looked back - between that and Photoshop, you'll have all you need to create a decent website. The other advantage is you end up with a new marketable skill on top of the 3D stuff. I'd only go with Flash if your design dictates that you need what it can do.

[SandmanNinja]

I made my website with only Notepad and a list of HTML commands.

While I do not like my Image Gallery, I do like the rest of it.

HTML and JavaScript is a good combination.

I use Flash for internal content only.

 

I decided a long time ago to learn the code/HTML and not learn how to use a program that makes such code (like FrontPage, etc). I think it's a better skill to have.