| You can not hope to specialize if you don't have your | | | | excited feeling. A website is a dynamic entity, so |
| basics right. After all what you build on a shaky base | | | | maintaining the balance becomes all the more difficult. |
| is doomed to shatter. Let me illustrate three very | | | | Your screen may view it perfectly balanced in |
| basic, but often undermined principles of web design. | | | | 1280x1024 but someone's 800x600 screens may |
| It will give you an idea what to look for when | | | | throw it totally off. It is always a good idea to use a |
| browsing templates or portfolios and will help you | | | | tool or plug-in to view your design in different |
| distinguish between good and bad work. | | | | resolutions before you purchase or deploy the site. |
| Contrastthe most important tool to highlight areas of | | | | Common solutions to help you overcome balancing a |
| the site is contrast. Without the correct application of | | | | site including using the "float" attribute and centering |
| contrast a site often appears haphazard and difficult | | | | text or objects. If you want to achieve a |
| to read. By using the correct amount of contrast in | | | | symmetrical look be careful not to just center all |
| your fonts, backgrounds, objects and styles you will | | | | elements. You will end up with a boring or flat design |
| incorporate a much more professional looking design. | | | | that they are not eye-catching and look extremely |
| Despite what most people think contrast is more | | | | amateurish. If you are attempting to create an |
| about difference than it is about colors. Use | | | | asymmetrical design then remember that it's into just |
| whatever tools you have to make text contrast | | | | about piling everything onto one side, you must still |
| including text tricks like bold, caps and underline | | | | create a feel of balance despite the fact your site is |
| where necessary so that your page has obvious "hot | | | | not symmetrical. You can do this either by placing |
| spots" for people to review. A great example of this | | | | smaller items opposite large items or even by pitting |
| is hyperlinks inside text. Always set your style to | | | | images against text or solid, dark colors against |
| underline and change the color of hyperlinks | | | | transparent or light objects. |
| (preferably the default blue) so that people's eyes | | | | Rhythm |
| are drawn to them inside blocks of text. Use color | | | | Rhythm is sometimes called repetition and is a vital |
| contrast between menus, logos and the main part of | | | | part of constructing a website as it helps your |
| the page so that people can easily break these | | | | website flow between pages. It gives your visitors |
| components up inside their minds. Be careful not to | | | | an easier and more fulfilling browsing experience as |
| over do it though! High contrast pages are difficult to | | | | the brain will recognize the repetition in the template |
| read (white text on a black background or purple and | | | | and focus on the new parts of a page. This is very |
| green are complete non no) so remember to | | | | important as if you keep disorientating the visitor |
| consider practicality before creative expression. | | | | they will quickly become fatigued and are likely to |
| Balance | | | | leave the site. Moreover, if your have successfully |
| The most important factor in a website design is the | | | | associated the website appearance with a brand then |
| way the elements of a design are balanced on a | | | | marketing have a whole new area to explore. It also |
| page. The abstract layout will instantly convey a basic | | | | means a redesign will have a big impact on the site in |
| message about your site. Symmetrical or simply | | | | the future, a service that will likely swing back round |
| balanced sites will create a calming tone while | | | | to you if you did a good job in the first place. |
| asymmetrical or complex designs will create an | | | | |