Sunday, October 19, 2008

What is Web Design ?


Web design is the creation of Web pages and sites using HTML, CSS, JavaScript and other Web languages. Web design is just like design in general: it is the combination of lines, shapes, texture, and color to create an aesthetically pleasing or striking look. Web design is the work of creating design for Web pages.

Many Web designers don\'t have a background in graphic design when they start working on pages. But you can still learn the basics of good design. And these tips will help you to think like a graphic designer.

Just because the Web is a visual medium doesn't mean that the basics of style that apply to writing can't apply to Web pages. When you're designing a site, these gentle reminders can help.

Most people, when they start building Web pages, don't spend a lot of time thinking about the reasons why they use various techniques. Learn to be more scientific in your Web designs.

When you're reviewing your site either to create it for the first time or to redesign it, you should use this checklist of design attributes to make sure it's both good looking and easy to use.

Top 10 Tips to a Great Web Page

Make Your Site Valuable to Your Readers
There aren't any magic pills to create a great Web page that everyone will visit again and again, but if you follow these ten tips your site will be more popular and easier for people to read.


1. Know your audience, and keep them in mind when you write.
If your Web pages are frequented by people with slower modems then designing a page that looks best over a T1 is not a successful strategy.

2. Keep your pages short.
If you minimize the scrolling, chances are, your readers will get your message. A good screen size is 640 pixels wide by 480 tall.

3. Use tables of contents.
According to Jakob Nielsen only 10% of users will scroll beyond the first screen of text. If that first screen has a table of contents viewers will click on the links to the explanatory text.


4. Keep images small.
Large images annoy people. If it takes too long to download, many people will never see it, as they will have browsed somewhere.


5. Use Web colors.
The browser-safe color palette will ensure that most people will see your page and images in the colors you intended.

6. Avoid lots of text.
People don't read the Web, they skim it.

7. Check your spelling.
Use a spell checker, either in your editor or on-line.

8. Keep links current.
Check your links often to make sure they are still valid. Using a link checker speeds up pages with many links.

9. Annotate your links.
If a page is good enough to link to, then it's good enough to explain why you like it.

10. Put contact information on your pages.
The Web is interactive and dynamic, and you should welcome comments on your pages. Also, if there is a broken

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