10 Web Design Tips - Part 1

Wednesday, September 26th, 2007

Categories: Web Design

I recently noticed that my Web Design category on my blog was severely underpopulated, especially for someone whose day job is to be a Web Designer. I’ve decided to compile useful tips (in no specific order) that are useful to any web designer out there. Since this list can go on forever, expect follow-ups.

1 - Don’t Restrict Yourself To a Boxy Design/Layout
Even though layouts are developed within using boxy formats (div containers and *sigh* tables), it doesn’t mean your design should be as well. A example would be Copyblogger’s website design. Notice how some elements are not contained in the layout (the envelope and RSS icon) and how some elements seem to defy the boxy layout (the sticky note on the upper right).

2 - Observe Guidelines
Know what guidelines you HAVE to follow before you start your design. It’s very frustrating to have to redesign or reformat your work after it’s been perfected in its existing form. An example would knowing how tall and wide your website should be.

3 - Think Of Your Background
Your background is an important, yet sometimes overlooked, element of your design. Will it be graphical? How will you handle basic design principles such as contrast? All too often people get dimensions for project, design within those dimensions and quickly throw on a background when it comes to development. Your background deserves more attention then that. Also something to note is how your website flows into your background.

4 - Know What You Like
Carefully observe websites that you enjoy and why you enjoy them. Being able to narrow down and pinpoint exact reasons you like websites help you with designing your very own.

5 - Know Your Competition
This is something you’re no doubt going to be dealing with if your website is for a client. Feel comfortable going above and beyond what others are doing in your website’s niche. Know why they work and why visitors stick to their site.

6 - Know Your Customer
This includes your employer and your audience. How would they deal with an abnormal website format for example? Would they be part of an age-group that don’t enjoy intricacies and surprises? Please note that designing for your customer should come before designing for yourself.

7 - Keep A Mental Note On Image Size
Even though we’re nearing an age where broadband access is country-wide, there are still many people that don’t have fast connections. Keep those users in mind if you’re considering large headers or content designed uniquely using large images.

8 - Content Design Is Web Design Too
The content is just as important as a header image. The last thing you want do do is end up throwing CSS styles on <p> tags without giving your font color, font choice and font size some thinking. Well laid out and designed content is essential to retaining visitors.

9 - Exit the Mindset of Web Design
As a great exercise for yourself, try some designs that don’t follow the norm of website design. Pretend your designing a painting or a print piece. You may surprise yourself with the results and get some great, innovative ideas. This is somehow related to the tip 1 but goes much deeper then that.

10 - Basic Design Principles Apply To Websites Too
These principles are (as I’ve been taught): Contrast, Balance, Repetition, Proximity and Unity. If these are the elements that make great paintings and advertisements, why should you omit them on a website?

I chose not to go too in-depth on the 10th tip as a kind of cliffhanger for the next set of tips. Be sure to subscribe and come back next time for Part 2.

UPDATE Part 2 of 10 Web Design Quick Tips can be found here.