Design and Function

There are quite simply millions of websites on the internet so designing a site is more important than ever if you want to stand out in a competitive world. Web design is the process of designing and creating sites and can be the most crucial aspect of whether online visitors leave or stay so it certainly pays to get it right.

The process of website design involves planning the layout, colour scheme and overall look of a website. It’s definitely not just about looking great though and concerns the functionality of the site and how easy it is to use the site. You’ll want to improve where it ranks in a search engine and know where to place adverts effectively. While a creative flair will be necessary for the design aspect, a solid knowledge of computers and programming will also be essential for the functionality requirements. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills and a logical approach to design are all key requirements for anyone thinking of getting involved in this area. For Web Design Leeds, visit northstar-website-design.com.

Before the internet took off in the 1990’s, graphic design was a similar discipline. The layout of a website is the way in which graphics and text are placed. This information needs to found at a glance and be consistent. Colour choices will depend on who you are wanting to attract to your site as the colour scheme will present the personality of a person or brand and so makes quite an impact on the overall design.

Photos, logos or icons are all graphics that can be included to enhance a site. They should be cleverly placed so as not to interfere with the speed or presentation of the site and this is what a professional website designer will be able to advise. Any graphics should also be relevant to the theme and content.

Text should always be useful and used to enhance any visual graphics. The way in which the site is structured should be totally geared towards the user experience and have straight forward navigation and menus. Interactive elements to engage the visitor are also a good tool, such as comments boxes or opinion polls. There is no harm in seeking feedback if it can further improve your site.

Art is defined as ‘the process or product of deliberately and creatively arranging elements in a way that appeals to the senses or emotions’. Isn’t this what we want to achieve with website design? However, this kind of design goes further than art in the sense that it also provides a clear function, as a method of communication with which to conduct business.

There are some incredibly artistic websites out there and with constant advances in technology, there is no doubt that websites can be beautiful and contain many elements of artwork. After all, art is a very personal thing and they do say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder so you may see some sites that look like a work of art to you.

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