There are certain aspects of web design that you should make absolutely sure you are getting right. Here is a short list of the most important ones: Web Design Vitals: Logo Position Is your logo positioned in the upper left corner? This is the most valuable branding real estate on a website. It is just like putting your name on the top of your homework in middle school. It's a bonus if you displayed a short description or tag line with you ...continue

Sometimes the simplest idea is also the best. The winner of the BetaCup Challenge was announced this week. The BetaCup Challenge was a contest sponsored by Starbucks (along with others) to find a sustainable alternative to the ubiquitous disposable paper (or worse) coffee cup. The winning idea wasn't a coffee cup at all, but rather a very simple tool with the goal of motivating people to bring their own cups to places like Starbucks. The idea? ...continue

Perhaps it is the way creatives are wired or the difficulties of collaborative projects, but too often creatives have a file management system that is…..well, “creative.” Organization is often not one of our strengths. Yet keeping advertisements, stock photography, designs, proofs, versions, illustrations, and production files organized will maximize your efficiency and your ability to collaborate with all the members of your team. If th ...continue

The average WordPress user has no idea how much power is actually in a WordPress-based website. Every aspect of WordPress is fully customizable. If you are anything like me, then you have looked and looked for the perfect WordPress theme only to discover that your perfect theme isn’t there, so you settle on a close second. Why not modify that second-choice theme? WordPress themes are very easy to change if you know the basics of what to look ...continue

A 2006 study found that viewers made subconscious decisions about the quality and credibility of web pages in just 1/20th of a second. In this blink of an eye, viewers did not have enough time to read text or even recognize photos, but instead were reacting only to the site’s layout. Even when the participants had more time to look at the site, the research found that they only attempted to reinforce this initial conclusion. This study under ...continue

Last week we talked about the importance of typography and some things to think about when choosing and using type on the Web. This week we'll talk about various aspects of using type for print pieces. • Leading Leading (pronounced led•ing), also known as line spacing, refers to the space in between lines of text. The term dates back to the origin of the printing press where press operators would place strips of lead in between text block ...continue

If text is your message, then your use of text is your tone. Typography is the art and technique of arranging type, type design, and modifying type glyphs. In fact, the aesthetic you create through the use of typography often goes further in creating an atmosphere of professionalism, credibility, and organization than the content of the text itself. This article and next week's will be focused on helping you achieve better results in your designs ...continue

Where do I find a web designer? How do I ensure I’ve found the right one? How much will it cost? Last time we discussed many of the essential steps that are too often overlooked when starting any web design project. Now that you have considered these important steps, it is time to start looking for a web designer. In this article I will show you how to weed out the wannabes and find the right designer to make your project a success. Whe ...continue

Part 1: Purpose & Preparation Do you have a great idea for a website? Can you already picture it in your head? Are you ready to find a designer to build it? STOP! Before you post an ad for a web designer, take a few minutes to answer a few basic questions and do a little bit of homework. This article will make your site a success by defining its purpose and preparing you to meet with prospective designers. What is the site’s purpose ...continue

Web design is like most things in life: just when you think you have it all figured out…you’re wrong. Many of the web design beliefs we have held for years are no longer applicable. Here are three design myths that may surprise you. Myth #1 – “The Fold” “The Fold” is a graphic design term that refers to the upper half of the front of a newspaper. It is commonly used on the Web to reference the area you see on a website before ...continue