Monopoly Anyone?

So how do you start? If you are in square one, how do you start? I want to design a website. I think I know what we want, so now I have to try to put my ideas on paper or into this little box with a keyboard. It’s a daunting task creating something from nothing.

So here I am standing in the Monopoly “Go” space (I like the top hat) waiting for my turn to roll the dice and hoping that when I start going around the board that I find success and maybe gobble up a few properties on my way.

Well I’m not really the top hat but I am standing in “go” trying to start my journey around the web designer board. I’m trying to learn all I can about what makes the various programs tick. I am somewhat computer savvy, I know my way around quite a few programs, but this is a whole different board game. I have to be part artist and part computer hacker. I have to be my “work” self and my “personal” self at the same time. I know that sounds weird but let me explain.

My work self is a person that is very analytical. I program databases and make spreadsheets for a living.  You would think that I would get XHTML code fairly easily, and I am getting it, but it's been slow.  I finally got a book on how to write the code and it is actually eye opening. I wrote my first code today using the different tags and I can't wait to get co the CSS programming so I can put some design into it.

I am writing this blog as my first HTML coding and might throw in a table just to make it a little more challenging.

My personal self loves to create.  I’m a musician, graphic designer, and artist.  I know my way around most of the Adobe Creative Suite. I enjoy recording and editing music and video. I am becoming fascinated with cinematography and how cameras work.

Anyway, here is a list of tools E-Money and I are currently working with/learning:

• Dreamweaver CS3
• Photoshop CS3
• Illustrator CS3
• Fireworks CS3
• Aptana
• Finalcut
• Visio

I'll provide more updates on how we are interfacing with each and every one of these tools as we continue our progress.  In the meantime, we just have to continue putting ourselves in the "Go" mindframe.  Just like a game of Monopoly, we are reading and learning the game rules (and appropriate softwares) to get a sense of how the game is played, and if we want the pieces to move, we have to start rolling the dice.  So step back and watch how we throw these bones... 

(photo courtesy of aMAYzingoO)