| < | 2005-04-19 @ 1:54 p.m. The Designers |
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Did I hate your template?
Then I most likely linked you here. It's a pretty simple list explaining to you what I see at each designers website, and what they offer to you. Take advantage of it. If I tell you to go look for a new template don't waste your time doing google searches for "diaryland templates." Look no further! Once upon a time (just a few months ago) the diaryland designing world had a good thing going. A group of people (some internet related, some by real life) began a site called Beautify. Their site listed their friend's design sites and was an altogether awesome resource. It fell apart, though, when the site lost its hosting things stopped. Like any good thing it came to an end. Some of the people can be found, others can't so in the mean time this page is being regularly updated seeing as some of the best designers are gone. The following sites I will guarantee will give you a good template:
[Diva Designs]
One of the oldest design sites on diaryland. Her stuff is hard to navigate (you have to look at them based on what she decides to title them, and then click to open a new window/preview). But she's got some good templates. Some seriously questionable ones, but some really nice ones too. It's a matter of personal opinion.
[Evil Gnome Designs]
Evil Gnome Designs. What could be better. Their old site I paused on putting up here because it had some up and down times as they learned to be the best designers they could be, but they totally got their act together, along with a new site! Both designers rock, with specified but pretty templates, there's nice image links too, so you can easily browse and choose. Pimp, no?
[J Designs]
Some of her layouts I sometimes find a bit uninspired, but she's got some talent and when she wants to make a template, it's fabulous. Nice image links too.
[Lazyman Designs]
Took forever to track down this kid because the site was so up and down. Offers quite a range of templates, as well as some generally well designed goodness. Customs are easy to get your hands on and he's got a great new grunge style about him. Quite appropriate work. Pardon the dust, he's on break and working on the site, but most templates are still available.
[Lizard Designs]
Lizard, while she has had her up and down days, is a great designer with the most miscellaneous designs. Have nothing in mind but want something pretty? Go for it.
[MK Design]
MK is a recent discovery of mine, and here’s your source for any kind of semi-harsh, very nouveau kind of template. There’s lots of pop-art here, and lots of well designed (but specific to taste) templates. Make sure you check out her old geocities stuff. {Currently not being hosted, but I hope it'll come back}
[Migraine Designs]
Liz, of Migraine Designs, has an eye for creating some of the most dense and interesting templates I’ve ever seen. She’s got you covered from communism to false teeth. Literally. On a sad note, the page has closed, even though she still offers her templates (just sans any kind of technical support). Le sad.
[Ms. Dicks]
Ms. Dicks offers up very intricate designs, with many small features about them which make them special. Her templates are various and not suited for everyone—they tend to aim themselves at a certain audience. Make your best effort to travel to her "classics." {On the rocks for a few months now, it seems as Dicks may have taken a turn for the worse too}
[Not-That-Ugly Design]
One of my first designs stolen—I stole from her. She’s got a great sense, and some great templates. Again, a small selection, but she’s the goddess of all things coding.
[Old Migraine Designs]
Liz was making beautiful layouts a long time ago. It has wonderful thumbnails (that will take a second to load) and in general some really really good design work. Not always solid or xhtml valid, but hey, who cares anyway? Keep in mind there's no tech support here, though who needs it.
[Pacific Sands Designs]
Slightly harsh, very resolute, mostly simple templates with lyrics from great bands. She loves sublime and small text boxes and I've really never seen a design of hers be a failure. She offers free customs (for now) but is a busy girl and may not get back to you too soon. She's a fabulous self-taught designer who has photoshop wrapped around her little finger. (Also, she tends to code in one font, if you don't like it, it's super simple to change).
[Pink Designs]
She has some of the most graphically interesting layouts I’ve seen in a while. Not completely pop-star ridden and she has things that’ll satisfy more than one person. They’re gorgeous, and well done.
[Retrode Design]
Celebrity templates for good celebrities! Actually, this site's just simply inventive and has some of the best uses of fun fonts that I've ever seen. Love it!
[Star Fuckers Design]
Searching for celebrity templates? Look no further. I really don't love celebrity templates, but she designs well. Search around, no index with thumbnails, but clicking is easy (and she has skins!).
[Sazziest Design]
The selection has always been small, but has always been nice. Her templates are specified (no meaningless ones here) and the site is incredibly easy to navigate (click on "linkware" to see templates).
[Unique Design]
While the designers of today seem to have a thing for Harry Potter (ugh) it's refreshing to see some new talent out there. In the very least this site is prolific.
[Uptight Design]
We’ll call it neo-pop. It’s a very resolute, very well designed, very pretty set of sites. Lots of pop-esque images, and even though selection is small, quality is high.
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