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10 Essential tips for a web designer |
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One of the toughest challenges facing any designer is the web page. There are perhaps millions of pages in the World Wide Web all jostling for attention. The question that is foremost is how you as a designer can make a difference.
Study the subject being featured. Visit as many sites
as possible that cover the same as well as related topics.
Make a list of what works and what doesn't. Avoid using
a design that is going to be uniform with others. Unless
your pages are distinctive they are not going to work
- Try and avoid run of the mill things like page counters,
java text scrolling, flashing images, GIF images,
signs which say "we are not ready." Or, too many illustrations
or animations, black grounds or fade ins.
- Create a design which coveys in a stylish way what
it has to. Instead of using downloaded illustrations
use original ones.
- Avoid things like heavy files or graphics. These
will slow down your pages. GIF is better than JPEG
files.
- Think of the target audience and subject being
addressed when designing. The overall effect should
be that of exclusivity.
- Avoid incorporating download plugins. While Flash
is innovative and fun you will loose viewers if you
don’t provide an HTML alternative.
- Design the pages so that they are not more than
50K.
- Remember the rule of thumb; a web page should not
have more than three screens. And, ensure that the
viewer does not have to scroll horizontally.
- Test your website pages with several browsers. Make
sure they open quickly and completely. Do a reality
check by asking a cross section of users to check
the site. Usability checking will bring to the fore
any mistakes made.
- Don’t use backgrounds with tiles or patterns
it makes the design fussy and decreases readability.
Avoid frames they make the pages difficult to book
mark.
- Determine accurately the rules of creative design
and ensure that you apply them. If you have links
make sure they work. Limit page content. Pay attention
to search engine optimization. Ensure that the design
follows the content and is not a separate element.
Maintain archives. Use innovative fonts and titles.
The content should follow basic elements of style
or a style sheet.
When designing the web page think about the site as a
whole not each page separately. There should continuity
in design. Include a site map for easy navigation. Pay
attention to imparting knowledge, include information
on the subject of the site, give tips, make available
how to articles as well as publications on the topic.
The site and pages should be interactive without being
a nuisance, so links must be well thought of and of practical
use.
Keep in mind at all times the 5 golden principles of design:
balance, rhythm, proportion, dominance, and unity.
About the Author:Paul Wilson is a freelance writer
for Web
Design, the premier REVENUE SHARING discussion forum
for Web Design including topics on web designs, html and
css, web marketing and ecommerce, web graphics and multimedia
and more. He also freelances for premier Free
Software Download site. |
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