Design Tips

I've noticed over the years that when I start a new web design project I've developed my own process. I imagine that most designers will say the same thing. Sure we might all follow certain principals, but I've discovered that I usually think about three things:

1. The initial concept/creative idea

2. Usability

3. Secondary design such as colors, images, etc.

I'll open up a new Photoshop document (usually at 1024 px size or greater since the majority of internet surfers are at that resolution or higher) and basically just start placing elements on the page (logos, images, menu items, etc.). This is what I like to call the "collage" phase. Often times I revert to this if that initial concept hasn't come to me yet, but even if I have a concept in mind, I like to try different placement of elements to see what works best. I often compare it to interior design of a room - you move the furniture around to see what the best placement and "flow" is.

As I'm creating and moving elements around the page, I'm thinking about two other things: how will this translate to an actual webpage (for example, can I make it 100% css, how will I "cut up" the page, etc.) and how useable the site will be to visitors. By this point in a project I've either researched or learned more details from the client about their specific target audience. This is important information to know when building a site because a site targeted to children will be completely different than a site targeted to adults, and so on.

If a client doesn't have a specific color scheme in mind, I may try several different ones to see what works best. With color and imagery (photos) I review the target audience details one more time as this plays a major role in how the design will appeal to the majority of visitors to the site.

Of course after the initial design is shown to the client there are often rounds of changes and revisions to get that "perfect" look. Here is where I combine my experience with the wishes of the client. A good designer will know how to, what I call, "tread the line", and be able to explain professionally to a client why one of their ideas might not work or how to incorporate something the client wants and make it work in a design. No one likes to be told they have a horrible idea, but I generally like to steer well clear of things like blinking animated gifs, white text or a black background, and other general no-no's.

This is a really simplified explanation on the thought process involved when first started to design a new website. Every project worked on is unique and the more you design, the more experience you gain on how to handle different projects and clients. In time, you will develop your own process that works, but don't forget to incorporate the basics (design principals) and consider the usability of your finished design.

Sherry Holub received her degree in design from UCLA in 1995. She is now the Lead Designer and Creative Director at Southern California firm, JV Media Design. Sherry is also a member of the NAPP, AIGA, the International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA), and Cambridge Who's Who.

// posted by gng @ 1:29 PM 0 comments