Amateur Designers

I found an article by Jennifer Kyrnin about the Basics of Web design at about.com. It summarizes a list of proper applications of design elements when building a web site. It is a friendly reminder for those who started feeling too confident about their HTML and CSS skills. Although it's plain language, it helps you to keep the balance between impressive and effective design.

Jennifer breaks down the elements into graphics, layout, fonts, advertising, and remembering your readers. She emphasizes the “think small” mentality of the web. Graphics should be small and relevant to its content without becoming a distraction for its audience. Kyrnin recommends standard layouts, showing her preference for the three-column format. White space is also important, comparing this to the success of newspapers; which explain Kyrnin knowledge and relationship with the printing industry. When it comes to typefaces, as most of us know, standard font families are the way to go. However, she also mentions the use of Serif for headlines and san serif for text, explaining that the low resolution of the screen blurs the kerning which could make serif fonts hard to read, contrary to prints where serif are preferred for text.

In terns of advertising, they should not dominate your design. Designers have to treat advertising as any other element and these need to be relevant to their content. It is important to remember that if your site is about video games, users are more likely to click on ads that reflect their needs.

Last, designers have to test their pages in different browsers and operating systems unless there are planning to be viewed by a group that shares the same capabilities.

All these considerations alleviate the process of designing a web site, and allow the artist to focus on the purpose of its nature, a versatile interactive media.

With all due respect.

Single Page Website Design

THE BEST

As I was going through the 30 Outstanding Single pages @ http://www.webdesigndev.com/inspiration/30-outstanding-single-page-website-designs, I found some interesting layouts that need special mention before going over my favorite site. One of them was the Fish Marketing which I came to appreciate for its concept and slide show presentation. Another one that I found interesting was Think Green, where every element of its design was well-thought, from the color palette to the text block divisions cleverly animated. However, when it comes to the best out of these 30 websites, I chose the Deluge Studios, a site that stands out for its simplicity, easy navigation and accessibility. Deluge is a design company that provides web, interactive as well as print services. In its one page layout, the designers present a slide portfolio below the navigation bar in Our Work area. On the Right a standalone gray column describes the company’s background and their work process. The color choices are green and different gradients of stone gray. The subtlety of its earthy colors suggests the wash away concept of the company’s name; which directs the viewer’s eyes to the good art work and relevant information. Everything seems to be a click away. I tried my two favorite sites in different platforms with standard screen size, Deluge appears to display better in both systems. It does not have long scroll downs to hassle with, and there is always a back to top button that brings you home. On the very top there is also an etc sub menu that opens down a list of links to very interesting sites and news, and at the bottom of the page you will also find a cool flash version of the site. All these components make its accessibility a plus and DelugeStudio a successful design.

http://www.delugestudios.com

THE WORST

From all the sites I struggled with Stoodeo was the most painful. I won’t take away the artist skills for illustration which is ok, but where is everything else? It must be a very Avant-garde style for an obscure secular clientele. There is not Company information, no samples of her work (with the exception of the work in progress site), no artist biography, or e-mail. If the site is still being built it needs an apology statement somewhere at least. The design is completely centered and heavily weighted on the top. Discretion and secrecy seem to be guaranteed with her service, it sounds more as the nature of other type of business, although the only site she is currently working on is a religious theme. Don’t get me wrong, based on the colors used, and illustrations she seems to be e very sweet girl but her slogan and statement are conflicting. All this can be easily improve by adding some sidebars and a navigation system, the good thing is that at least she has a style.

Another on the list: Jiri Tvrdek and the scrolling up and down tree.

With all due respect.

Oskar

Web comments

www.nrp.org is a site that reflects the idiosyncrasy of its business. The National Pubic Radio home page, a digital version of a front-page newspaper layout, gives the audience an overlook of the news and other interest this public service provides. This information is shown in different categories easily found in its navigation bar: Home, News, Arts & life, Music, Programs, Listen, Hourly News, and Podcasts. All of them located on the top for easy access. This site also keeps consistency throughout its pages by using a grid system that is established mainly of three columns divided by the hierarchy of the headlines and the quality photography. This application breaks down the page in different blocks enhanced with multimedia elements such as slide shows and clean illustration designs. At the bottom of the page there is a summary of the other pages with quotes and attractive links that persuade the viewer to continue exploring the unlimited source of information and cool audio archives. The color application is mostly black and white, which is reminiscent of a newspaper, perhaps to with identify with it’s demographic. There is not a clear use of contrast on the layout except for the music page. Colors are more predominant and images overpower the whole design, however this is done with subtlety.