"Designing with the Stars", Take Joe-I-Can't-Design/Code-Crap and make him/her design... Options

[*Duchess of Dork*]

This came up because I was banging my head against the wall trying to figure out ways to graphically contribute here (other than my silly icons), so I posted the following Backstage and thought I would bring it up here as well to see what folks here in the Community thought of it:

I am so ignorant when it comes to creating a layout. I almost feel that as the only HeadStaff that cannot do this, we should have some type of "Dancing with the Stars" type thing where someone takes a person that can't dance, well, in this case, do a layout, pair with them and at the end of the show they can do a killer layout!

After a little encouragement, ranting continued:

Who knows though, it could be fun to see folks paired up with some of our infamous designers (such as Rachael, Carrie, Kristina (although I know she's very busy right now), Kathleen, Ryan, et al). Could even put up AIM transcriptions of the star designer trying to coach the learner on how to design (if so desired).

Any thoughts? (Oh and sorry for pointing certain super designers out, I know there are more than those, but they are the first to came to mind that morning).

[*mona lisa*]

BUMP!

Hmm.. Something to think about--would it be best to start off with a specific type of layout, e.g. the common two column, and then progress to a different type of layout in say, DWTS part 2? This way, the starlettes would be able to learn more than just basics since this is going to be a very lengthy "contest" and would be difficult to try to teach everything the stars know.

And taking Kristina's ideas and expanding them:

First Round: Creating Basic Headers
---> Basically, learning to manipulate the pictures into a proper header that COULD be used on a website. Manipulating: Simple blending, changing colors, adding textures, adding brushes, and how NOT to go overboard. Teach dimensions, resolution, dpi, basics.

Second Round: Creating complex Headers
---> Involves lots of pictures and focuses more of picture placement. Lessons taught in round one will most certainly come into play here. Basically, making more complex headers that you spend more time on. Teaches proper repetition. How can repetition be proper, you ask? Oye. Much to learn you do, young weedhoppa! Adding on, possibly trying out different styles--cut-out collages, blends, abstract, all that jazz.

Third Round: How to incorporate the headers into a site
---> Making it flow with the rest of the webpage, figuring out if ONE COLUMN or TWO COLUMN code would fit best. OH! Color scheme. Making sure the site has a great color scheme that flows with the header and isn't too bright or tacky. Figuring out colors for text, links, etc. Tip: use colors from within the image/header as they will "flow" best with the overall layout.

Fourth Round: Coding! The basics of coding, simple HTML and CSS: how to place images, wrapping text around images, using images as links, opening links in the same frame or in a separate window, perhaps in a window with a certain dimension/size, how to use CSS for setting text styles, link styles (hover, italicizing, changing font size/face/color, etc.).