Designing a website involves more than slapping some HTML tags onto a page! The basic principals of design are the same for print design or website design. The elements of good design also apply, whether you are interested in graphic design services or fashion design, and these basics will guide you in laying out the different elements in an effective, eye-pleasing way.
To put it simply, the building blocks of designs are the elements that are used to make up every page or interface you design. Once you understand the five basic elements you will be able to put together more creative and stimulating web pages for your online home business. The graphic designs you attempt need to be eye-catching and of course, your web graphic design should have the earmarks of a professional. Also, making your website user friendly and adding some “eye candy” is extremely important, as you are competing with thousands of other websites to get visitors.
Lines help delineate spaces around elements on a web page and can be vertical or horizontal, and the line work increases the understanding of the design. They can be used as borders around elements, dividing lines between elements, contours around elements and decoration in website design. One of the most versatile elements is shape; they can make up any enclosed area in the design. Most of the shapes you see on web pages are rectangular or square, but you can use images, lines, color etc. to create other shapes.
The other major elements of a design are texture, color and direction; all used in graphic design as well. Texture on web pages is visual, but you can use artificial or natural textures to create an effect in your design. Color is the design element that a web designer is most aware of, but color is not a requirement of any design. Most often, it is best to create the designs without color and add it later. Direction gives your designs a sense of motion across the page. The better sites will lead you through the design so that you see what the designer wants you to see. Of course, it is always a good idea to sketch the design on paper first and then transfer it to the web publishing software.
If you plan to be a good designer, then when you see that blank web page do not just throw random images or graphics on it and hope for the best. A good website design is well thought out, long before any actual additions to the pages are made. This enables you to see how well everything you have in mind will blend together, in order to create a great, user friendly, interactive website.
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