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Web Design 101

Tips for Do-it-Yourself Web Design & Graphic Design

We see it all the time. The do-it-yourself ad with text that is bold, red and ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. Not to mention underlined with everything on the page being emphasized this way.

This seems to be everywhere. ABC Gutter Cleaning may very well be true professionals at gutter cleaning – but they are not professionals at communicating it… visually or verbally.

Here’s the point… when it comes to marketing and designing business communications, it’s worth outsourcing. It’s a long term investment and will greatly impact your reputation and impact on consumers. If you are serious about your business, and competing for the long haul, you’ll do it right from the beginning.

 

However, if you absolutely must do-it-yourself, you may want to consider the following tips when designing your communication materials:

  1. First and foremost, figure out what you need to say – and who you are saying it to.
  2. EMPHASIS – Give your message structure (NOT chaos) through emphasis.
  3. CONTRAST – Using the right contrast can really impact your message and add interest. Contrast can be accomplished through size, color, bold to thin lettering, etc. For example:
  4. BALANCE – A balanced design has equal visual weight throughout the elements on a page.
  5. ALIGNMENT– Keep your elements lined up (type, graphics, photos, etc.)
  6. FLOW- This is the order that the eye follows throughout the page. Your reader will read through your page in the pattern you have designed.
  7. REPITITION – Repeating an element in your design gives it unity and ties it together.
  8. IMAGES – invest in professional photography. Even if they are stock photos. Images play a key role in your message and have a big impact.
  9. COLOR – Color choices should enhance and compliment your message. They should reflect the industry your are in, and follow the tone of your message.
  10. TYPOGRAPHY – Stick to 2 fonts only. Don’t add any more than this. Typically, your two fonts should contrast (don’t pick fonts that look too similar!) As a rule of thumb, if your header font is a bold sans serif font, then body text should be a non-bold, serif font.

While there are always exceptions to the rules - it’s best to stick to them as closely as possible.

By: Michele Catania

Sources:
* Tips 1. - 10. : Basics of Design - Layout & Typography for Beginners by Lisa Graham