While some designers feel limited by Twitter’s background image specs, I do not miss the tiled animated GIF backgrounds so popular on MySpace. If Photoshop isn’t available to you, check out www.FreeTwitterDesigner.com. This web-based tool gives you a lot of neat drag and drop options to create a custom Twitter design. You can even upload your own images. When you’re done, just save your image and upload to Twitter.
TypeTester.org is an easy to use online tool that helps you set up your site’s type. Work with three columns simultaneously to test fonts, sizes, styles and color combinations. Your changes show up instantly!
How many times have you stared at a font wishing the name would pop into your head? The font identifier tool at www.Identifont.com can save you a lot of frustration. Say you have the logo for “Widgicorp Inc.” but you can’t quite identify the font being used. Type in the letters you have to go on, then answer a series of questions. I’ve found Identifont to be pretty accurate. Now all we need is Identicash to find some money for buying that font!
Thematic is a free, simple framework that allows you to customize a WordPress layout without programming. Install the theme then configure to your heart’s content. Once your layout is complete, add images and colors to make your site your own.
