August 2006
Start with a new file of 800 x 600 pixels. Then create a pattern for the background.
New layer. Create a rectangle then use the Knife tool to create a cut.
Duplicate the lower cut and drag down slightly.
Use the Blend tool and Specified Steps and enter 3.
New layer. Create an ellipse and feather it. New layer. Use the Pen tool to create rays of the sun then make the layer 17% transparent.
For the logo I created lettering with a good size stroke weight and no fill then duplicated and filled with red and stroked with white. Next I created a house and used Warp Options to elongate the house and give it a cartoon like look. Finally I put in a simple shadow.
Now I chose to create a top and bottom menu where both menus will be repeated on each page. I selected a glyph to insert in between the menu selections for the top menu items.
For the interactive button, I created a banner with rectangles, then added an extra anchor point in between the ends and used the Direct Selection tool and the Shift button to pull it inward. I next added text and converted it, and added stars for an attention getter. The graphic in the back was added to draw attention to the button. Next Warp Options was applied.
I duplicated the banner and put it on a separate layer below the current graphic. There I applied just a stroke in bright green so that when the user hovers over the button, it becomes highlighted.
A graphic was designed for members to log in to the site and will be programmed and activated in another program.
To draw in the public, a box was created that will show the latest winners.
An area in white is created to put information that can change from day to day. This is the basic design. Each item is on a separate layer so that it is easily changeable. Animated graphics can be added at the top, and that is why the area to the right of the logo was kept clear.
Copyright (c) 2006, Jacquelin Vanderwood, All Rights Reserved
