Designing my HTML Email

So we're moving right along in our web design class... and our second project deals with designing an email in HTML for a client. First thing was to sketch out a wireframe of our idea. I used Illustrator to quickly map out some boxes and spacing ideas. Here's the initial layout I had in mind.

That tan color you see closely resembles one of the colors used in the client's logo, so I want to repeat that color scheme in the email. I'm finding a "Donate Now" button online in a different and brighter color, so it'll stand out a bit when the reader scrolls down the page.

Hunting Down That Perfect Template

Perusing the web for a half hour, I'm already getting the feeling that I'm going to have to design my own header eventually, as I'm not finding exactly what I want when it comes to my subject: how to make better home movies.

So here's what I've found so far that's at least in the ballpark:

DIRECTOR

Nice little director's chair in the corner, and the background works, but I'd want to change that light blue stripe with the tabs and go with something a little less jarring.

SPOTLIGHT

I like the filmstrip and red curtain touches, but I'd like to expand that center column a bit more - there's a bit too much empty space on the sides that could be better utilized. I'd also want to change and resize the title, as this current one's a bit on the meek side. On the flip side, the header's a bit cluttered with things that aren't entirely on topic.

MOVIE THEATER

I'm only showing you this one for the cool filmstrip column on the right. I'd love to use that in my finished product. As for the rest of this template... well, I'd rather stick with dark colors. Plus, that header's not working for me - that scary cowboy face has to go.

MOVIE TIMES

This one's got potential for showing video clips, which I'll very likely be doing with the pro blog. After seeing some of the more interesting headers, this one's very plain, so I'll have to spiff it up a bit.

NEWSSCOPE

I'm really liking the layout of this one - the video boxes could work nicely with the topics I'd be covering.

The Pro Blog Name Possibilities

Now that I've gotten a big thumbs up on the direction I should take the pro blog (how to take better home movies), I've gotta come up with a snappy and effective blog title that'll bring in the masses.

Let's toss a few out there and see what people like:

1. HOME MOVIE MAKEOVERS

It's a play on the "Extreme Home Makeover" deal. I purposely avoided using the word "extreme" as that word's been used FAR too often in the last ten years. This title could work better with the post-production of your video... more on the editing of it after it's been shot.

2. CAMCORDER WHIZ

This could focus more on how to shoot better, lessening the problems with editing later on. Plus, I only saw a total of 7 results of the phrase "Camcorder Whiz" on Google, so this could work. Other possibilities close to this could be "Camcorder Magic" or "Camcorder Class". On the flip side, would having "camcorder" in the title exclude those people who use iPhones and the like to shoot their video?

3. TAKE BETTER VIDEOS

Right to the point. Quite a few places online already uses this phrase in various ways, so it wouldn't be a unique or catchy name... probably a pass on this one.

4. VIDEO SKILLS 101

A tutorial angle to this name... also, this phrase is practically nonexistent on the net. This could be a solid one.

So, any winners in the bunch? Comment please, and let me know what you like or don't like.

The Big Professional Blog Topic...

Hmmm... what to do, what to do...

Originally I was thinking about doing something trivia-related, something pub-quizzy, something that would make you ponder and pontificate on the various miscellaneous and arcane information that pops up in our everyday lives.

But then again... could I make a decent buck at it if I needed to? Could I get a following of readers outside of the group of my pub quiz regulars and assorted hangers-on?

Well, probably not. Got to think bigger. Think of a real need... something that I could contribute on a daily basis that would not only get people interested, but coming back for more.

Well, I do happen to know a little bit about shooting video, as I've done that for 15 years. And I do know, from transferring tons of other people's home videos to DVD, that a LOT of people could really use some pointers on how to shoot video.

So there's my angle, my niche, my topic. Simple, effective, and something that would attract a lot more people to my professional site than any list of trivia questions could attempt to do:

How to shoot home videos. Effectively. Productively. And most of all, make it actually watchable to people who aren't your relatives.

So, for those of you who happen to read this... would a how-to-shoot-video blog appeal to you? Let me know what you think.