Web Design Concepts

Before you begin:

So you've decided to build a website. Good for you! Designing and building a website can be a very complex process depending on your goals and expectations but it can also be a whole lot of fun!

Design on the Internet has definitely seen some distinct phases since its conception. In the beginning there was very little to no visual design on the internet - it was simply a reproduction of text with default backgrounds, standard type colors, and underlines to indicate hyperlinks. Along came the introduction of graphics, including icons and background images. The icons replaced some words and background images were usually tiled across the height and width of the page.

These days the visual design of a website has become more important. Now we look for clear navigation, atmosphere, organization, hierarchy and clever design concepts. Just like in any other discipline, there are guidelines used to teach students about graphic design. If you think you are lacking in visual skills, remember - skills can be learned.

If you were going to write a book, or an essay, or report, the first thing you would do is to write an outline. The same thing goes for a website. You need to develop a solid structure as the backbone of your site. It is easy to get carried away by "designing" first. Content shouldn't be made to fit into your design, your design should complement your content.

Site Specifications:

Using a checklist like this will help you to determine the technical goals of your website and keep you organized as you are building your website. You do not have to address everything on this list as it is quite comprehensive but it is a good place to start.

1. User environment:
   

   • Browser's and minimum versions
   • Mac compatibility
   • Plug-Ins
   • Colour Depth
   • Screen Resolution
   • Accessibility
   • Droppings allowed (cookies)
   • Connection speed