Unveiling the Secrets of Effective Web Design: A Designer's Perspective
Feb 11, 2024
Whether you're a graphic designer stepping into the world of digital design or an experienced digital designer aiming to refine your skills, there are fundamental design principles that every web designer should adhere to. This article explores the essential core rules to follow when designing for the web. Whether you're creating designs for handoff to a developer or planning to undertake the build yourself, sticking to these principles will significantly streamline the transition from design to a fully functioning website.
Before we dive in, it's crucial to acknowledge that not every designer follows the same approach. I'm here to share my insights and experiences as a designer with a keen emphasis on usability and functionality. The websites I craft, whether for personal projects or as a digital designer at an agency, prioritise both visual appeal and user-centric design. While individual methods may vary, these principles align with the practices commonly employed by experienced designers.
Select software specifically created for web design
First things first, choose your software wisely. When it comes to web design, it's crucial to opt for a tool specifically designed for the task. This means saying goodbye to Photoshop, Illustrator, and even XD when it comes to web design. Figma stands out as the go-to tool in the market for web design, recognised as an industry standard in the digital design world.With incredible features like auto layout, styles, variables and much more, Figma not only streamlines your workflow as a designer but also enhances your understanding of website functionality from both a designer’s and a developer’s perspective. If you haven't already, download Figma, get acquainted with the tool, and start your learning journey. There are numerous Figma tutorials that can help you learn, but I personally recommend checking out the videos on their official YouTube channel to begin with.
Establish a solid design system
Once you’re ready to go with Figma, the next step is establishing a robust design system for your project. This system should encompass text styles, spacing variations, colour palettes, and any other specific styles relevant to the brand you're working on. Web design demands more than just piecing things together casually - a solid design system is key when designing for the web. It helps to influence our creative decisions, allowing us to craft a cohesive design with structure and consistency, ensuring nothing appears out of place or confusing to the user. I kick off each project with a customised base template, ensuring a tailored approach for every client. Having a base template and foundation to build upon means more focus on the actual design and less on the setup of the project. In addition to this, utilising the styles and variables features in Figma will make editing your project a lot easier, meaning if something has to change within your design system, it’ll automatically update throughout the entire project.
Design with accessibility in mind
Web accessibility is vital for ensuring all users, regardless of their abilities, can navigate digital content. Designing with accessibility in mind fosters inclusivity and helps to create a positive user experience for all types of users. When establishing a design system, it's crucial to choose specific brand colours and typography styles that won't hinder users' ability to take in or engage with the content. This involves avoiding potential colour clashes and selecting typography that remains legible to all users.
Prioritise responsiveness and functionality in your design approach
When you’re ready to start crafting a website, it's essential to consider the various screen sizes it may be viewed on. This means not only designing for desktop but also for mobile and tablet, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable user experience across platforms. When designing a website it’s crucial to consider how each section will react in terms of responsiveness. Keep in mind that appearances may differ between desktop and mobile, so it's important to envision how elements will adapt to various screen sizes.
Additionally, you have to consider potential differences in functionality between devices. For instance, hover effects may not translate well to mobile or tablet screens, given their reliance on touchscreens rather than cursors. This doesn't mean excluding these effects on desktop; instead, factor in how functionality will be perceived on mobile and tablet devices.
Understand the importance of optimised media
When it’s time to add content to your designs it’s important to have images and graphics that are optimised for the web. Optimising images and graphics is a key part of creating a website that works well and looks great. When websites are filled with large unoptimised media, it can make a site slow to load, which isn't great for user experience. In the digital age where attention spans are limited, a slow-loading website can drive users away. Optimised media not only helps pages load faster but also can boost a site's visibility on search engines. Images and graphics are easily optimised in Photoshop (images) or Illustrator (graphics) by reducing the size if required and exporting solely for screen use.