I set a global styling through the customizer feature for themes at dashboard->pages&themes. Then i set specific stylings/designs/layouts for page type defaults and after that for individual collections.

--ron

I design the site in illustrator/photoshop first. Take the elements and build the site in Dreamweaver, making sure all the CSS is good and it all works online before I import into a C5 as a template.

This process works well for me.

The best way to design is to populate a base empty design with the content and then style the content. Design for the content don't shove the content into a design. Admittedly this is not always possible or feasible.

Thanks that's the way I decided to approach it. Place the content first in each of their respective pages and then implement a new style sheet. I like C5 and have decided to make it my main CMS but feel like I'm cheating somehow. . who cares!

I use a general "framework" C5 template with various layouts that work for me. This aids in speeding up workflow across various projects.

However, yes, do content first and then create the elements in photoshop/illustrator. I have mixed feeling about the slice and dice method however. Sometimes I do it but I often find that it's more trouble than it's worth in the long run.

Here's one of my templates I use for development. It's not perfect but it mostly works for me.

-mario

Wow, thanks everyone for the responses, it's very appreciated. I'm slowly getting to grips with C5 and will have a look at Mario's general template (thanks Mario)

May have to start another topic but does anyone use a grid system?

Thanks again

Kappi

I don't think there is one set way that always works. It's based on what you're trying to accomplish for that specific site. I'm still playing in my first couple of test c5 sites, but so far the following process seems to work well...for me:

- design in illustrator/photoshop
- develop a base-theme in c5
- tweak that theme and provide alternate layouts.

At the end of the day it just comes down to what you are comfortable with.

I tend to design in illustrator first as I give proofs to my clients first and if they make changes its just a lot easier.

I work at a design company and they don't pay any attention to what I do as long as it looks right and works the way they want it too.

So yea they design first and then I hope and pray I can pull it off.

Concrete 5 is so great that I usually can pull off the designs with a little bit of help.

I agree with dojodesign's comment too. If the client needs changes before they approve of the design. its a lot easier and quicker to make the changes till they are happy.

This is also what I do. Prototyping/designing comes first, the content gets added in later.

This is because I'm really picky as a designer. And I usually have an idea of what the content will be like beforehand.

In the ideal situation I can design out every page, actually. Though I only do this as much as is practical.

Basically, I find it much easier to "style" things in photoshop first, and then visually transfer that into CSS (slice and dice, but it also applies to typography). This way I can see how things are interacting design-wise across the whole site—or theme.