I need suggestions for creating sophisticated web UI, such as nav banners, drop downs, search boxes (with debossed/inset shadows) menu tabs that look great (not tacky) -- like the site, see attached.. the nav bar with subtle grads & shadings, cool search inset, and subtle rounded corners with shadows. Also the 2nd image attached showing a very slick login / Register debossed buttons. Any ideas how this was achieved? What are you pros using at present, Eye Candy? or are you doing it all manually in photoshop? TIA
Fireworks is a little more tuned for this sort of thing than Photoshop. 'manual' example: There really isn't a 'make it look good' button.
Sophisticated design doesn't come out of a box. Could you likewise ask what musical software is best for writing a good song? It's the melody in your head that makes a good song. Like wise it's the aesthetics you possess that make for good design. The program merely allows you to put it on the web.