Suggestions: Directed rather than complete random design
Am I missing anything? Any volunteers? Anyone see something similar in another CMS?
Thanks!
M 😉
Hi marclaporte,
I hope you can do this for Tikiwiki, indeed.
I posted some ideas — from the perspective of a non-techie — in another thread. I would suggest the folllowing.
Instead of a randomized design, you should aim for targeted design. This would reduce the permutations from infinite randomness. Most likely, people would not go through so many permutations, if the choice is too random and it does not result to a desired goal, after trying another random layout.
For example, how about including some preferences checklist:
(1) Skeletal layout preference — single column; two-row single column (i.e., header, main section) three-row single column, etc.
I have seen this done manually, but one of the challenges in a websign using pure CSS, not tab tags, challenged the designers to present the same set of information using various general skeletal layout formats. At present, there seems to be some semblance of flexibility in Tikiwki, but in reality it is quite rigid. It would be a great help if you can decouple this rigidity in the Tikiwiki, with your program.
(2) Color scheme: monochromatic shades or "rainborw" choices or plain color (white, black, etc.) background. [This may require presentation of the colorwheel or better the color table.]
(3) Fonts and Size restrictions.
(4) Main background: white vs dark could target the direction of the "random choices" presented, as this will affect the color of the fonts used too.
(5) Navigations and navigations sections preferences
I know it is easier said than done, but, as the user restricts choices, there is a process of fine tuning to narrow towards the eventual page layout chosen. It would be a good idea to have a "store" system in your site so that users can store and pick from previous choices.
I do not think that is possible right now with the http://www.strangebanana.com/generator.aspx
Instead of submission of a logo, the best would be to have a logo generator — using also the scheme outlined above, and for the resulting choices in the logo creation help further narrow the choices for the main page and the footer.
cgc0202