Hostbaby
Hostbaby is the sister division of the famous, CD Baby, one of the largest online retailers of CDs by independent musicians. Hostbaby provides web hosting catered to the music industry, allowing musicians the ability to have a website without all the web work. While we recommend creating custom sites for clients, Hostbaby provides a great service by allowing their members the ability to have a professionally designed site that fits their budgets.
The major draw is their "wizard" templating and content management system for which these designs were created. Unlike a typical client project, we have no access to the actual XHTML pages because these are all unique to all of their members. We created the theme, graphics, and the CSS that controls the page layout, regardless of the specific web page and content involved. Identity Developments got involved with Hostbaby in developing stylesheets because it is our core specialty and developing the CSS without being able to touch or tweak the XHTML code further refines our design skills.
While each of the designs may vary based on the overall look, feel, colors, and graphics, they share some key features. Once the basic look is designed, alternative layouts are created in regards to navigation, allowing their members to choose between a right side or left side navigation, as well as vertical or horizontal configuration. All of the designs are also checked across multiple browsers and both the Windows and Mac platforms.
Overview of services provided to Hostbaby:
- Developed "Halftones" CSS template designs
- Developed "Scenic Overflow" CSS template designs
- Developed "Overflow" CSS template designs
- Complete CSS development for templating system
- Multiple layout configurations & designs
- Complete browser & platform validation
{click on images for a larger view}
 "Halftones design sample page for Hostbaby.")
See the “Halftones” designs.
 "Scenic Overflow - Bog design sample page for Hostbaby.")
See the “Scenic Overflow” designs.
 "Overflow design sample page for Hostbaby.")
See the “Overflow” designs.
