Graphic Design For The New User
To design and publish a website is easier, now more than ever, with modern software. These easy-to-use tools give simple, intuitive, graphical interface that takes the place of those cryptic computer codes. But a simple interface doesn't ensure production of a good site. For those who disregard careful web design, the usability and simplicity of such programs makes it simpler to create unreadable, lousy, and unusable sites. This article gives basic instructions for good site design that applies to any web design software bundle.
The first rule of thumb for graphic design is to design web pages that are easy to read. Many people have visited sites with fancy, complex backgrounds only to find that the text and the content was unreadable against the background. The text color should be highlighted by the background through the use of opposing colors, such as black and white. Where a fancy background is desired, text blocks should be offset with by a background consisting of a single, opposing color.
A small text block should not dominate the page. However, the text should be large enough that it is readable. Links should possess a color that is different from the other text. The text body looks best when the headlines are centered and both sides of paragraphs justified. Modern internet browsers support justification formats, but older ones may disregard the format and will align the test to the left side. However, a page with fully justified text formatting is very appealing to most visitors.
Easy navigation of the web site is the next subject of these graphic design guidelines. In order for the site to be considered accessible, each page should be accessible in no more than three clicks from the site's starting page. A menu system or table of contents is important for maintaining a site's organization and accessibility. To this end, frames are useful for keeping the visitor anchored to the main page's table of contents, while the content itself is presented inside a second frame of the main page.
A web site should be easy to find. The use of carefully chosen keywords sprinkled throughout the site will make it easier for search engines to list the site appropriately according to the subject matter. A properly listed site will be easier to find by people using search engines. Many search engines provide forms for search engine submission. Using these forms will also help the search engines find and properly categorize the web site.
By using modern software tools and following these guidelines for good graphic design, the novice web designer can create a site that captivates a wide audience and presents the content in a clear, appealing manner. With practice, a beginning web designer can even prepare themselves for one of the many professional web design jobs available today.
The most important thing to remember about using graphic design to create a web page, is to keep it easy to read. The proper use of keywords is critical to making a web site a popular web site. Search engines also provide forms for search engine submission which will further help the search engine serve your site to people who are seeking sites on a particular subject. These design guidelines, with help from up-to-date software, will help a web designer create a site that will interest the audience. After getting a little experience, a web designer can work toward applying for web design jobs that are available.
Published September 24th, 2008
Filed in Ecommerce
