What is website design

Website design, considered as a whole, includes:

  • graphic design [colours/graphics/typography]
  • architecture - site sections
  • interface behaviour - forms and other interactive aspects

We are not going to look at the last two items here - but you can read about the technical elements of design if you want to.

Website graphic design

It is important that the look and feel of your website is harmonious and appropriate. You will need to consider:

  • Layout: number of columns, placement of different page elements, effects under page resize
  • Typography: fonts used, relative sizes and spacings
  • Colour and images: emphasise elements, showing site sections
  • Navigation: main 'menu' for site - location, colours

[N.B. We have created some layouts to illustrate the effects of bad design - the relevant links are toward the bottom of that page - prepare to have your eyeballs shattered!]

Generally speaking, your graphic design should enhance the textual content, not overwhelm it - unless of course, you are a graphic designer or visual artist, in which case the graphic design IS the purpose of the site - and even then you will want to have clear contact details as a minimum.

Starting the graphic design

There are all manner of starting points that might lead to a good design. You may have existing artwork - a company logo, or brochures. You may have a technical illustration, or photograph or illustration, maybe some physical artifact, or even a colour scheme. Other websites can act as inspirations - though of course, we will not copy someone elses design!

The actual content of the site will clearly have an impact - some sites need a very plain but elegant interface, while others just cry out for a bold, eye catching design.

We can do this work in house - or retain an external designer according to need.

Alternate styles

There are a number of different layouts or 'skins' for this site: company, rainbow, child, calm, stormy, austere, high contrast and more...

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