I know a unique, professional look is key to a successful forum. I'm an okay designer, but not at all a good coder. Is there any professionals, should I get into doing more forums, that I could tell the general color scheme to and they would do a professional theme?
Yes, there are many professional web designers that will do custom requests. For many, however, it depends on the forum software you are using. Should it be vBulletin, I recommend Kalina Web Designs.
I think it would depend on the functions you need. You can have a great site design and the minute you add code it can go to crap. The best way I have found it to browse sites that use the same software and code mods and then ask the site owner who did the work. That's what make these forums so great. Asking each other who does what. I've gotten custom work from vB designers Miner vBskins Joomla JoomlaShack
when working with joomla, i would recommend rockettheme.com. i licensed about four designs by now and used every one as a basic template and customized it myself so you wouldn't recognize it on first sight. Works excellent and they are coded very good. Updated periodically and a great support forum with extensions and code snippets.
For a custom forum designs I'd recommend Kalina Web Designs (as Savage mentioned above). I've had them design me skins on two of my forums at reasonable prices and have been very satisfied with the results.
I used Themes by Design. Thet did a good job keeping a simple format. What bugs me is the fact that I don't like relying on others...I want to know how to do this myself.
That's always best. But, in my opinion, some people are just better suited for it than others. Me, i can come up with an okay design, but I'm much rather have someone come up with something better (even if it costs me a pretty penny).
no no. I did have a co-designer, but he's been sick for a few months, so it's back to just me. I was referring to all of us designers here.
Thanks for the mention Tom - I've done quite a bit of custom design, including custom vB styles that I'm quite proud of - a lot of them are not in my portfolio which I seriously need to update - but then again - I'm lazy until you fold a few hundred dollar bills under my nose - because I seriously love the smell of Benjamin Franklin - I swear sometimes I've smelled him and wow ==> just hiacynths and honey suckle. Jacquii.
Peggy is the only designer I recommend right now - AdminAddict Forum - View Profile: Peggy If you need a community setup, talk to Brandon at vbulletinsetup.com
Thanks Arny I'm going to be getting into the vBulletin Theme business once 4.0 comes out. Should be an exciting time.