Graphic Design vs. Interactive Design

Can a graphic designer design a website? Of course!

But there are risks involved when someone who thinks in terms of paper and inches starts creating designs for screens and pixels.

In this article, we’ll look at what makes web design so different, and we’ll talk about what to look for in a site designer.

Usability

Ever clicked on a brochure or a business card? I didn’t think so.

On the web, your visitors take an active role in their own experience—meaning that if they don’t enjoy the experience, they’ll take action and leave.

A user-friendly site provides clear pathways to tools, products, or information. It communicates in the target audience's language, and it doesn't leave visitors frustrated, confused, or lost.

Take load time for example. Many designers get so caught up in creating fancy-schmancy landing pages that they forget the user. If your web page takes too long to appear—or if it fails to update users on loading status—you’ll lose visitors.

Think of it this way: if graphic designers are warriors in the battle against ugliness, web designers are warriors in the battle against ugliness and confusion.

Accessibility

This goes hand-in-hand with usability: make a site more accessible, and you’ll make it more user-friendly.

Accessibility is also a key area of difference between print and interactive: a graphic designer might not consider how a print piece will work for blind people, but a web designer must think about how a site will work for every potential visitor.

It’s not only possible to make websites accessible to people with disabilities—it’s often mandatory, as in the case of many government projects. And it should be. The web is an extremely useful tool for those with physical impairments.

And keep in mind that accessibility serves all users: in the words of Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, “accessible design is good design.”

Ease of Updates

Every print piece is frozen in time. Once it rolls off the press, the text on that paper will be the same forever.

The Internet, on the other hand, is all about change. Interacting with an out-of-date site is like talking to a wall: it feels futile, lonely, and downright silly.

To make sure your site continues to feel current long after launch, your designer should forego the cutesy, clever, or trendy in favor of the clear, classic, and lasting.

Important considerations might include text vs. graphics, links vs. buttons, horizontal vs. vertical navigation, or the need for standard fonts (critical for dynamic text).

And, with content managers like Mighty-Site putting updates into the hands of site owners, web designers must create templates and style sheets that will continue to look great every time you update content, add pages, or change images on your site.

Search-Engine Friendliness

If you’re concerned with your rank in search listings, you need to choose a designer who'll help you speak to search engines.

Some of the elaborate, flashy sites we see these days are in fact invisible to search robots.

A good interaction designer won’t let this happen: she’ll respect your SEO needs and create an attractive, content-ready design that search engines will love.

Browsers and Monitors

It’s true that computers and Internet browsers evolve quickly, but don’t forget that consumers are slow to change. We all know that guy who bought his monitor back in ’96 and still swears by it in 2008. In fact, around 8% of all web users still have their screen resolution set to 800x600 pixels.

A website that launches today might be viewed on hundreds of different screen types, in any of 4 major browsers. This means that words will wrap differently for different viewers, colors will fluctuate from one monitor to the next…the list goes on.

It’s hard to plan for this level of variability. But an experienced web designer knows how to handle the challenge.

That's why at Orbit, we check every web design on a variety of monitors and test site functionality across all major current browsers and platforms. It’s an essential step in effectively catering to online audiences.

To view the original article in its entirety, copy and paste the following link into your browser: http://www.orbitmedia.com/pages/april_2008/146.php. Please feel free to link to this address from your own web site.

About the Author

As a principal and strategic director at Orbit Media Studios, Andy draws on his knowledge of marketing, usability, and interactive design to lead strategic planning for the firm and its clients. Orbit specializes in web, print, and video design & development. Orbit Media Studios.

Published At: www.Isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=250841&ca=Internet

Graphic design – ultimate marketing tool

Being interested in developing their business online, a lot of successful people have used specialists in web design to establish a name in the field, presenting the target audience with professionally designed websites, full of valuable and accurate information. Along with image promotion and brand presentation, a carefully created website has the sole purpose to provide a flourishing business, growing continuously.

Experts in graphic design have used their skills and creative talent for years now, creating websites customized to specific business needs, contributing at the same time to the development of the Internet. Using complex techniques and resorting to groundbreaking technologies, they provided their clients with a powerful online presence, surpassing without a doubt the competence.

Each step of the web design process is carefully analyzed and specialists make sure that they deliver only the finest product possible. They are a team, working closely together with various colors, logos and prints into designing websites that will exceed their client’s expectations. With the help of trained technicians, they make sure that they follow and use innovative components, beating the actual standards of quality and showing once more their talent.

For graphic design specialists, creating a website is more than a job. They appeal to whatever it takes to ensure the client of definite success, using efficient solutions and offering ongoing customer support. In terms of web design, there is a constant demand and it must be fulfilled. Armed with tons of talent, creative thinking and increased commitment, they are able to promote a certain product or specific services, demonstrating a high level of proficiency.

There are two main reasons why so many businessmen are interested in web design. They are looking for a functional solution to save time and resources, while desiring to increase productivity. Such people are fully aware of the widespread of the Internet and they wish to use it to their own advantage. A graphic design team can provide them with the answer to all their problems, turning people towards the specific website and helping them to find out all they need to know about available products/services.

The first impression always counts and this is why one needs to have a website perfect to every little detail. If the prospective customer like what he/she sees, it is more than likely he/she will come again. By revisiting a website and becoming a faithful browser, you ensure the growth of the business and benefit from great services. With web design specialists making your site, you can be sure that your customers will be more than pleased.

The concept of graphic design has been long studied by experts in the field and today new discoveries are still being made. The basic idea is that the creation of a unique website for a specific business certainly follows market trends and ensures future development. Their techniques and programming experience are used on purpose so as to maximize the productivity, induce cost savings and deliver high-quality products.

Among all the marketing tools and strategies, the Internet is definitely one of the smartest. Specialists in graphic and web design are always ready to produce a website for you, enhancing your image and supporting your business. Whatever your needs are, they are always by your side ready to serve you and be of assistance. You too can benefit now from the amazing technology of the Internet, with the help of a dedicated, experienced team and their incredible area of expertise.

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About the Author: Come to our website and benefit from the support of an experienced team in web design. If you are looking for creativity and competitive services, then you are where you should be. Latest technologies and all the brightest solutions for graphic design await you; just log online and check us out. Choose our company and we will offer you only high-quality services.

Graphic Design in San Jose

Your website is representation of you and your company. It is the window through which you can communicate to your prospective customers, present yourself to the world at large to have an insight into your company and make it look attractive and professional not only to your customers, but many other people who influence your company and your business.

Therefore the web designs that you choose for your website also goes a long way in building your image and the identity that you want to create for your company. Web design is the most essential part of your website and a lot of your image building and communications depends on it. And because your website means so much to you and your business, you would want nothing but the very best designs for your website.

At webdesignnr10.com we have some great graphic design in San Jose. San Jose graphic designs are renowned the world over for their unique style and ability to present data succinctly. Due to the clarity and flow that they provide you in presentation of your information, your targeted customers and website viewers can quickly move through your data and understand what you want to say, without missing a single point that you are making.

The graphic designs in San Jose are made keeping into consideration your target customers and potential website viewers. And not just them, we at webdesignnr10.com give you designs that are suitable and in accordance with your business and your company. With the help of the graphic designs that we give you, not only your website would stand out amidst the all the clutter in the competition, but will strongly express your views and what you have to offer to your customers leaving a positive impact on your customers.

At webdesignnr10.com primarily concentrates on the internal structure, the external structure and the usability of designs that would help you in presenting the information in the best possible way. What you say is important, but how you say it is more important. Your web designs should look professional so that what you say is taken into consideration and given importance. Our graphic designs in San Jose do make your data look important and besides that are adequate enough to present your data. The look and feel of the designs is such that it gives a feeling of contentedness and completeness to your viewers.

A good web-design is an essential structure for your website. It is one of the key components for your website to be successful and one can not ignore its importance.

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About the Author: I write the article about www.web-design.nr10

Graphic design in Oakland

Graphic designs in Oakland are very famous and most popular as they provide the website not just attractive and enrapturing designs, but also help the readers peruse through the website more easily. At webdesignnr10.com, we are offering some of the best graphic designs in Oakland that are bound to make the readers of your website get attracted to it and read it, but also keep them coming back to the website for more information and updates.

A good design is as important for your website as marketing promotions for your company. If the designs of your website or any of its pages are not catchy enough, then it is almost impossible to retain reader interest. Graphic design forms the backbone of visual communication. just like we human wear beautiful clothes and accessories to gain the attention of people around us, similarly to distinguish the website of your company from that of the competitors, it is very important to dress it up with good graphic designs. Again, like we have specific clothes and outfits for various occasions and reasons, in the same way web designs differ for various kinds of target audience. Colors, patterns, formats, style, everything changes with change in target audience.

Oakland graphic designs have a plethora of options. We have graphic designs for all kinds of target audience. Our expert designers will show you just the Oakland graphic designs which are meant for your target audience. We do not confuse you with web designs of all sorts and show you the range of designs that are not just specific to your target audience but also compatible with your company and the nature of your business. The seasoned web designers at webdesignnr10 can produce effective designs with the various tools like colors, schemes, typography and graphics that produce excellent impact on your target viewers.

A good web design should not only be helpful in generating interest among viewers and target audience, rather should also be easily downloadable and search engine optimization ready. Even though internet connections these days are quite fast, a website should be such that it can be downloaded in minimum time. This would not only keep the readers’ interest alive, but they will also keep coming back to your website for more information and updates.

At webdesignnr10.com we make designs that are search engine optimization ready so that you don’t have to face problems later. Not only web designs, at webdesignnr10.com we have more services to offer, one of them being search engine optimization. So now you can get the beautiful and attractive web designs custom fit for your target group and also get them search engine optimized.

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About the Author: I write about web-design.nr10

How to win new graphic design clients and keep old ones coming back

Everybody likes to see big fat pay cheques coming in, hell some of us even deserve them from time to time but what makes a client keep handing over the readies over and over again and how can you as a lowly graphic designer among a sea of equally unidentifiable no-marks hope to secure new graphic design or website design contracts? Best read on my friends as we give you the insider knowledge to equip you in this never ending rat race to swindle your fellow man

A winning smile costs nothing
Think back over the last week or so and see if you can remember anyone giving you the time of day in the street, a simple 'good morning' or a cheery smile from a beautiful stranger as you go about your daily routine. It didn't happen did it? Why? Because you've got a face like a bag of spanners, you're walking around as miserable as sin and you're giving off bad vibes. In short your whole lousy operation stinks. So how do we turn this around? Next time you have a new client down to the office for a meeting, go up to them and plant a big sloppy kiss on their forehead. You never know they might turn around and sign that big 5 figure sum graphic design contract.

It's not all about the money
Sometimes, the old adage 'a dog is for life - not just for christmas' rings chillingly true. If you've ever considered or contemplated suicide based on the fact your clients have been leaving in droves and the only regular graphic design job you've secured in the last 3 months is a flyer design for 'disco Stu's' 70's night down at the church hall - on a wednesday night, then it's high time you looked at yourself square in the mirror and worked out why. Bad breath? Crooked teeth? Inability to stop yourself scratching your privates in public? No, the real reason your clients are leaving you high and dry is because you're too mean. Throw in a few freebies, offer to cook your client a lovely lasagna dinner for two, buy them a kinder surprise. Anything to curry favour that isn't going to break the bank is worth its weight in gold. And that's a fact, fact fans!

Dress to impress
Anyone who was anyone in the eighties will remember 'power dressing'. 6 inch stiletto heels, shoulder pads set to stun and low cut tops with peep hole bras. By and large businessmen today are reluctant to go back to cross dressing in order to win that all important contract and prefer to go along the tried and tested route of wearing dull grey slacks and loafers. Remember Elton John didn't get where he is today by dressing like the boy next door.

Brainstorm until you haemorrage
If you can't work out why you're losing money hand over fist and your client base has dried up to a thin wafer like crust, get your team involved and crack some skulls! Sometimes the best people to tell you where you're going wrong are your terrified and hate filled staff. Jim over in scanning has been sat there feeding off his resentment for not fulfilling his life for the last 10 years. Use him - he's got a brain up there hasn't he? Margaret the lady who comes by the office to sell sandwiches - again, could she be put to better use sat in the spare room paid to think up a marketing strategy to win over your rivals clients? If not think and think again until it hurts. Remember its your ass on the line here. Above all remember 'skull cracking' is fun and if a few eggs get broken in the process, hey that's life in the fast lane buddy.

Delegate, don't vegetate
We've all done it at some stage. Tried to cope when our world is falling apart, attempting to juggle the accounts, the graphic design work you have in and trying to bone up on web design for beginners in order to make ends meat. Here's a tip. Don't bother. That's right you heard. Research has shown that the best way to overcome a problem or situation is to sleep on it. If you've just about had a basin full its time to hit the sack and forget about it. Take it easy, kick back and have a beer. Feels good doesn't it. Don't forget to always have someone on hand who can cut the slack when you've lost the plot. A right hand man is someone to offload problems onto at a moments notice and then slink back to your chair safe in the knowledge he probably isn't going to quit his job any time soon what with a new baby at home and a mortgage hanging over his shoulders. Too many graphic design managers just do't know when to distribute the work. Remember the immortal words of Homer Simpson 'If a jobs worth doing well, don't bother"

Right, you're now armed with some invaluable insider information to get things back on track. Don't screw up and you'll do just fine. Now get out there and nail that son of a gun.

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About the Author: Mindtap graphic Design Resources is your single point entry into the UK creative industries. We are looking to create a unique site where you can access information on UK graphic design, UK logo design, graphic design tutorials, graphic designer careers, graphics software, graphics tutorials, graphic designers, logo creation, freelancer resources, graphic designer jobs, employment, web page design, free graphics, website designers, artworkers, graphic clipart and any other associated graphic design resource.

Elements of Graphic Design for Your Website

by: Kelly Paal

We’ve all seen them. Poorly designed web sites that make you cringe as soon as they load. But how do you keep your website from becoming, well, ugh. You could hire a professional web designer, and that’s expensive, or maybe you already hired a professional, or someone who claims to be professional, and you don’t like what they’re doing with your site. It all comes down to the K.I.S.S. principle; keep it simple stupid. And you’re probably asking well what does this really mean for web design.

Here are some basic graphic design/web design principles that you can use on your site:

1. Background, be careful what color you use for the background of your site. Yes I know that you’re trying to get noticed, but really they’ve already decided to look at your page so why does it have to be orange? Seriously though, consider how long you want people to be on your site, half an hour, one hour, more? Whatever the time chose your background color and then sit in front of your computer and stare at it, for awhile. Is the color easy to look at? Difficult? Does it make your eyes water? Does it make you calm? If you can look at the color for about fifteen minutes without a problem you’re okay.

2. Text, related to the above be careful what text color you use. Follow the rules above for determining a text color. It should be easy to read, and look at.

3. Font, no more that three fonts on the entire website. I mean that! A big mistake that I see a lot of times is the use of more than three different fonts, it get’s hard to read no matter how neat you think it looks.

4. Font size, no more that three font sizes either. Now I don’t mean three font sizes for each of the three fonts you’ve chosen. I mean no more than three fonts with a total of three sizes throughout the entire site, and if you can get by with less even better. It will simplify your site.

5. Scrolling, this is a big one literally. I’ve been on too many sites where I had to scroll down so far that my computer beeped at me. This is really important on your main page. Keep it very sparse, generally any information that someone has to scroll more than one full page down for will not be read.

This is only a start of course but it’s a start and it is on these issues that I see so many problems. Always remember that simplicity is best.

Copyright 2004 Kelly Paal

About The Author

Kelly Paal is a Freelance Nature and Landscape Photographer, exhibiting nationally and internationally. Recently she started her own business Kelly Paal Photography (www.kellypaalphotography.com). She has an educational background in photography, business, and commercial art. She enjoys applying graphic design and photography principles to her web design.