What Is The Purpose For Your Site?
I had a meeting with a client a few weeks ago and I shocked myself completely. The client requested that I design a Flash intro for his site. Before I could think twice the words had already come out of my mouth. "Why do you want a Flash intro for your site?" I asked. His response was t...
Type : Design Principles
Level : Beginner
Added : Nov 10, 2004
Towards Next Generation URLs
For many years we have heard about the impending death of URLs that are difficult to type, remember and preserve. The use of URLs has actually improved little thus far, but changes are afoot in both development practices and Web server technology that should help advance URLs to the next generati...
Type : Design Principles
Level : Professional
Added : Nov 10, 2004
Gray Text Revisited
In a previous article I argued that the reason why gray text is used more and more on the web is because it looks better than black text from a distance, and since designers do not really read the text on sites they design, they prefer the visually better looking alternative. I also offered a soluti...
Type : Design Principles
Level : Beginner
Added : Nov 10, 2004
Give Your Graphics A Professional Look Without The Price
Graphic design is an intimidating subject for many Internet entrepreneurs. However, most of us must learn some basic design techniques to avoid the high costs of hiring a professional graphics designer. You can create your own graphics that can look just as nice as some of the professionally crea...
Type : Design Principles
Level : Beginner
Added : Nov 10, 2004
Fonts for Business Writing: Choosing Between Them
Choosing a font is something that most of us give little thought to. After all, most fonts are more or less the same, right? Let's face it, most writing is presented in a stock-standard font like Times New Roman or Arial. Why is the choice of font important? There are many differences between ...
Type : Design Principles
Level : Beginner
Added : Nov 09, 2004
Writing Right for Your Website
Back to basics. Forget funky design, good writing is the key to a clear and intuitive website. Are you losing business because of your website? More and more customers are logging on to the Web to decide where to spend their money because it is quick and convenient, and they can jump from site to ...
Type : Design Principles
Level : Beginner
Added : Nov 09, 2004
How Important Is The Look 'n' Feel Of Your Website?
The look 'n' feel of your website is important. However, it is less important than your text-based content. In most commercial websites, the role of the traditional graphic designer is relatively minor. The role of the information architect is central. The role of the editor and author is critical...
Type : Design Principles
Level : All levels
Added : Nov 09, 2004
Keep It Simple?
In the past few years that I have surfed the net, I have seen websites that use designs that are way too complex for ordinary web surfers. Complex designs are those designs only the designer can understand and navigate through. I am also not to keen on designs that use a lot of graphics for the sole...
Type : Design Principles
Level : Beginner
Added : Nov 08, 2004
Web Design Blunders That Can Cost You Lost Profits
It's hard enough to bring people to your little corner of cyberspace, and once they're there, you have just a few brief seconds to catch their attention. A simple click-of- the-mouse and your site visitor is gone! Keep as many interested prospects on your site by avoiding these blunders: ...
Type : Design Principles
Level : Beginner
Added : Nov 08, 2004
The 7 Major Steps For Improving A Web Site
I recently gave a presentation to a group of web designers dealing with what I call the "Seven Steps to Achieving the Next Level" -- getting development teams to a point beyond their current practices. Our research shows that almost every design project we see today can readily apply these seven t...
Type : Design Principles
Level : Beginner
Added : Nov 05, 2004
