Truth be told I am by no means a programmer. That’s right, my design skills, even my web design skills, are 100% artsy-fartsy!

That being said, I’m always looking for painless, inexpensive ways to better my knowledge for the web design side of my business that doesn’t involve going back to school or learning multiple computer languages.

I think I have found a viable solution: Thesis, a WordPress platform by DIYthemes, LLC.

While some hard-core web programmers my balk at my suggestion, I consider WordPress and Thesis fantastic tools for the everyday computer user and business owner. My personal thoughts on Thesis is that it is a superb tool for those who have neither the time nor the money to program their own website, but who still want to keep up their web presence. At $87 for a single, personal website and $164 for unlimited use on personal domains (prices are for Thesis 1.6; may increase once Thesis 2.0 is released), Thesis is a real bargain. Purchase of Thesis also includes access to their members only Answers and Forums for all your help needs.

The Design Blacklist on the Thesis framework

My own site, The Design Blacklist, is run on Thesis, and I have been extremely happy with the results. There are plug-ins and customization options for just about everything. My content goes up in a snap. And, the overall platform is extraordinarily malleable.

Basically, you start with their suggested layout and a white background. After a few quick tweaks on the back end and some uploading of your personal graphics, violà! You now have a custom theme.

Does this mean that Thesis can replace all your web programming needs? As I tell every client: buy what you need!

Thesis is a useful tool, but if you are a huge company that needs a large web presence, or a site with very specific programs and interfaces, then go for the gold. Hire a good graphic designer and web programmer who can build all your custom tools. If you are not a Fortune 500 and you don’t need a million fancy what-nots on your site, consider Thesis (or even one of the thousands of free WordPress themes available). If you are sitting on the fence and are not quite sure if Thesis is right for you, consider the 30-day money back guarantee from DIYthemes. Buy it and give it a try; if you don’t like Thesis, simply return it.

You might be pleasantly surprised by what Thesis has to offer.

The following is in response to a question I received from a previous article: Photo-what?! A basic guide to photo editing programs. Thank you, B. Oceander, for prompting me to research your inquiry.

Dear B.,

Thank you for the question. Let me preface my entire response with the caveat that I have not used either GIMP or Paint.NET, but your inquiry intrigued me and I set out on some serious investigation to see what answers I could provide.

If I understand your dilemma, it seems like you have been utilizing GIMP sufficiently for your needs, but it has only recently (last few months) been giving you some glitches. First and foremost, bravo to you for taking the initiative to utilize freeware programs on the market. You are definitely a savvy consumer and I applaud you!

Now, down to the nitty-gritty. GIMP, as freeware, appears to be one of the best on the market. GIMP has a fairly established reputation and has been around the block for a while—since 1995 to be exact. Their programming team has gone to great lengths to keep up with Photoshop despite the fact that they do not have Adobe’s big budget. Ars Technica’s 2.6 and 2.6.4 reviews are fairly glowing even though they mention some minor issues. Those minor issues, however, could prove to be what is causing your current hiccups.

One setback for GIMP is the limited color depth. If you are trying to work with higher bit images, GIMP recommends using CinePaint right now until they integrate more with GEGL. The GEGL project is what allows GIMP to use higher color depth and basically fancier bells and whistles on some tools. GIMP is hopeful that their 2.8 (and eventually 3.0) release will integrate more with GEGL. Right now I would make sure you have the most current download so that you can utilize the current GIMP-GEGL interface.

Another point of interest is GIMP’s supported platforms. Many computer users are switching over to Windows 7. However, the programs we all know and love are still working to catch up with the new platform. GIMP’s list of currently supported platforms are: GNU/Linux (i386, PPC); Microsoft Windows (XP, Vista); Mac OS X; Sun OpenSolaris; and FreeBSD. Unless Windows 7 was an oversight, it might not be completely compatible. This also goes for all other platforms outside their list. Lots of platforms can seem close to each other, and they may even run our favorite programs, but eventually we hit that invisible wall where our system just doesn’t know what to do anymore.

If all else fails, consider this: GIMP was written and developed on the UNIX platform. While the makers of GIMP exude confidence that “basically the same code runs on MS Windows and Mac OS X,” this might be one source oopsie. It is my basic understanding that when a program is transferred from its native platform to a new one it doesn’t necessarily translate. It is somewhat like taking a French sentence and translating it to German. Sometimes you get one word wrong and then the whole thing just doesn’t make sense.

In any case, GIMP has released the help files for 2.6, which might help narrow down your culprit.

Enough GIMP, let’s address Paint.NET. Originally created in 2004, Paint.NET was billed as a higher-end, free replacement for Microsoft’s Paint program. The program has evolved quite a bit in the last few years, but it is still a far cry from the major players. The unfortunate fact is that while Paint supports higher color depth, it does not support PSD files, lens correction, or a few other key tools. I also notice that Paint is extremely limited on color modes. It appears that LAB and Adobe RGB colors are not supported; while Indexed, Grayscale, CMYK and HSV are only partially supported. This could prove very frustrating when trying to work on an image. Paint is also only available for the Windows platform.

If you are absolutely frustrated with GIMP, but not ready to shell out the big bucks for Adobe, Corel or the like, I recommend giving CinePaint a try. It is free and has a lot of the same tools as GIMP—in fact CinePaint resembles GIMP in its user interface. However, CinePaint does not have the Noise Removal and Lens Correction tools. Another unfortunate setback is that their Windows version is currently broken, but if you are a Windows user I recommend sending them a polite email. You’d be surprised how far you can get (and get what you want) by politely nudging programmers.

An interesting tip that most people don’t know about is that you can get a free 30-day trial of most Adobe products. If you have a big project coming up and need all the bells and whistles that many freeware programs lack, you can simply plan your project around your Adobe trial. I have recommended the Photoshop Elements trial to many clients before with absolute success. It is a great way to test Adobe programs free for a whole month and compare their product to your current setup. Corel also offers free trials for many of their programs as well!

While I cannot outright compare user interface of one program to the next, or tell you how each one acts on a particular system—simply because I have not given GIMP or Paint.NET a whirl—I can give you this advice: even Photoshop gets frustrating! Yes, there are days when I want to beat it silly because it just isn’t responding to me like it did yesterday or three months ago. I may sound crazy, but I firmly believe that like humans, sometimes programs have bad days too. I’ve learned that on those bad days to just submit a help request to a couple forums and walk away for a few hours.

Eventually my computer and I come to some sort of agreement and I can start work again.

On occasion I have been asked by clients to recommend a good photo editing program. When considering a purchase like this, it is best to break it down into three basic questions: 1) what are you using your photo editing program for?; 2) how much time do you have to spend learning your program? and 3) how much are you willing to spend?

When I work with a client on photo correction and manipulation, it is because 1) it is more cost effective to have a designer work on their material, or 2) they have a seriously in-depth project that requires custom photo builds. With this in mind, do you need to hire a designer for all your photo editing needs? Most definitely not.

There are a plethora of basic photo editing programs out there for all ranges of skill levels. The best advice is to find the program that first fits your needs and second your budget. You do not need to run out and get the most expensive program with the most bells and whistles simply because it is there on the shelf!

Bluntly put: if you do not have the need for all the bells and whistles, or you don’t have the time to learn how to properly use them, don’t buy them.

Adobe® Photoshop CS4 screenshot

I primarily use Adobe® products, so I’ll speak from that platform. Adobe has a wonderful page that breaks down their photo editing programs in terms of what your use/skill level is. For instance, I fit into the “Graphic designers, web designers, and artists” category, so Adobe recommends Adobe Photoshop CS4.

If you are a “photography enthusiast”, you would use Adobe Photoshop Elements 7. This is still a fantastic program for the regular shutterbug, and it happens to be a much less expensive option. While you don’t have all the 3-D capabilities, brush and shape options, and confusion mumbo-jumbo of the designer’s programs, you have the exceptional simplicity of being able to maneuver your way around a usable platform that will do exactly what you want with your photo albums and memory books.

So that’s the industry secret. You don’t need to buy the farm to get good quality, basic photo edits. Just find the program that is right for your needs.

Whether you are an individual or a business, I work with you to provide the perfect finished photo for your needs. In editing your custom photo project, I work with you to ensure that my designs meet your requirements and exceed your standards. You also receive a CD of all digital files, the corresponding copyrights and a thorough explanation of each file so that you are able to use your media with confidence.

As your personal designer, I walk you through each step of the design process as well as leave you with the knowledge and materials you need to take your finished photo into a productive and successful future. And, as an added promise, I am always available to answer design questions should you require my services.

Photo Correction

• Custom photo correction, editing and manipulation

Whether you are an individual or a business, I work with you and your programmer to provide the perfect design for your needs. I understand that today’s web media is always changing. In creating your custom design, I work with the programmer of your choice to ensure that my designs meet their requirements and exceed your standards. You also receive a CD of all digital files, the corresponding copyrights and a thorough explanation of each file so that you are able to use your media with confidence.

As your personal designer, I walk you through each step of the design process as well as leave you with the knowledge and materials you need to take your finished web media into a productive and successful future. And, as an added promise, I am always available to answer design questions should you require my services.

Web Media

• E-books
• Email campaign design
• Web ads
• Web media planning
• Website design

Whether you are an individual or a business, I work with you and the printer of your choice to create the perfect printed material. My fees include researching your printer to ensure that I pick the correct pantones so your media prints with your chosen colors. You also receive a CD of all digital files, the corresponding copyrights and a thorough explanation of each file so that you are able to print your media with confidence.

As your personal designer, I walk you through each step of the design process as well as leave you with the knowledge and materials you need to take your finished print media into a productive and successful future. And, as an added promise, I am always available to answer design questions should you require my services.

Print Media

• Billboards
• Brochures
• Business cards
• Calendars
• Envelopes
• Flyers
• Greeting cards
• Magazine ads
• Magnets
• Newsletters
• Newspaper ads
• Posters
• Rack cards
• Rip business cards
• Stationery
• Stickers
• T-shirts

Whether you are an individual or a business, I work with you to provide the perfect finished identity product for your needs. In creating your custom logo, brand, or corporate image, I work with you to ensure that my designs meet your requirements and exceed your standards. You also receive a CD of all digital files, the corresponding copyrights and a thorough explanation of each file so that you are able to use your media with confidence.

As your personal designer, I walk you through each step of the design process as well as leave you with the knowledge and materials you need to take your finished identity into a productive and successful future. And, as an added promise, I am always available to answer design questions should you require my services.

Identity

• Logo design
• Personalized print and web media design and planning
• Small business and corporate image and brand planning

A greeting card layout designed for Andrew Flusche, Attorney at Law, using photography by Sarah Danaher of Ampersand Photography. Sarah is an extremely talented local photographer who graciously let us purchase this photo for Andrew’s summer greeting card project and allowed me to pull together the layout for the card.

Custom 1/6 page ad done for Business Playce, Fredericksburg, Virginia’s best coworking facility!

A revision for the artists’ website contest. We were asked for more creative submissions.