Who needs a web designer when you can generate designs yourself? It only took a few reloads to produce an appealing design and it’s a heck of a lot cheaper, but I doubt it will make much of a wave in the web design industry. There are too many skilled designers making elegant designs. For a quick design though, it’s a great solution.
After flashing through about 20 pages which showed varying shades of hot pink and purple I saw two that were actually pretty nice. I read his FAQ and he clearly states that a high percentage of them are just plain ugly, the others are mediocre, and then once in a while there’s a good one. Funny thing, I saw one that was strikingly similar to Tangled-Web.
I think it’s a great idea, especially for those just starting websites and unsure of what layout or color scheme to choose, but it won’t be replacing web designers anytime soon. When I designed ahoyhoy it took about a week to finally get a color scheme that I liked. It’s kind of like shopping for a car, you know which brand you want, now you have to choose the features and color. Strangebanana makes that process a bit easier. Good post Dan.
» Comment by jason on May 23, 2003 @ 7:10 amThat’s pretty cool. I wonder how it works. Forgot it, I don’t want to know. I have to spend my day combining a bunch of SQL queries into one giant one. There’s only so much my brain can take.
One of them looked like an 80s preppy outfit gone wrong- pink and green. Eeech!
» Comment by Renee on May 23, 2003 @ 8:43 amThis is just a first stab at generating web designs though. It’s possible that someone else will take this idea and create an even better generating tool. I don’t think it could ever replace web designers, but it could certainly cut into their business.
I also wonder how it works. Maybe he’ll release the source code.
By the way, Renee wins the prize for making the 1000th comment on my blog. I don’t know what the prize is though. Suggestions?
» Comment by dan on May 23, 2003 @ 11:31 amA million U.S. dollars sounds good to me!
» Comment by Renee on May 23, 2003 @ 11:43 amI have an idea! A lifetime supply of chapstick. That’s right… One tube of chapstick.
» Comment by Mel on May 23, 2003 @ 1:33 pmchapstick sucks. Carmex rules! And I already have 3 jars. I’ll never run out.
» Comment by Renee on May 23, 2003 @ 6:24 pmRenee: A check is in the mail. (Not necessarily a check that I sent, nor one that is going to your address, but I’m sure that somewhere, there’s a check in the mail).
I could have gone for the chapstick (or Carmex). Too bad you already have a lifetime supply.
» Comment by dan on May 24, 2003 @ 12:00 am