Simple web designs are effective because they're easier to understand. Surprisingly, they are what's considered as beautiful these days because they generally look clean, well put-together, and sometimes unique. It's not as easy as it sounds though.
Many experienced web designers and developers actually find it challenging to simplify web designs. Due to limited content, one must stick only to the most vital elements; while maintaining a pleasant aesthetic vibe. A top New Jersey web design company offers these helpful tips for those who wish to 'cut down':
Many experienced web designers and developers actually find it challenging to simplify web designs. Due to limited content, one must stick only to the most vital elements; while maintaining a pleasant aesthetic vibe. A top New Jersey web design company offers these helpful tips for those who wish to 'cut down':
1. Focus On Just One
This may seem obvious enough, but plenty of web designers ignore this principle. Before beginning any project or when re-designing an old website, one should ALWAYS have a clear grasp of what should be the main idea behind it. Is it a product's main quality? Will it be the company's mission? Similar to photography, there should just be a single object which would be considered as the main focus.
This can be achieved through a number of ways, such as:
2. Visual Hierarchy Is Key
Note that plenty of users today are in a hurry or usually on the go. This explains why most of them are impatient, and expect to find what they are looking for as quickly as possible. Keep these traits in mind when building a website. Visual hierarchy, or the manner in which content are arranged on a page, is very important.
After determining the main focus of a website, a web designer can now start adding in elements based on that concept. Hierarchy depends from site to site and doesn't have to be linear - so long as it looks seamless. The intelligent use of white space, color, text, size, and grouping is vital. Group same elements together, or show importance with proper spacing. Get creative as long as the main focus of the site is ever-present.
3. Trim and Snip
Sometimes, a web designer must sadly decide to scratch off a few things. This is often called 'de-cluttering'. If could happen during production, or after the entire project is finished. This takes careful discernment as well as objectivity; in some cases, unbiased third party opinions too. One of the easiest ways to de-clutter is to begin with a list.
Study the proposed design or the finished work and write down the elements to be removed. Ask questions like:
This may seem obvious enough, but plenty of web designers ignore this principle. Before beginning any project or when re-designing an old website, one should ALWAYS have a clear grasp of what should be the main idea behind it. Is it a product's main quality? Will it be the company's mission? Similar to photography, there should just be a single object which would be considered as the main focus.
This can be achieved through a number of ways, such as:
- making the focal point bigger than the rest of the web elements;
- giving it a different or unexpected pop of color;
- placing it somewhere strategic like in the middle or on top of a page
2. Visual Hierarchy Is Key
Note that plenty of users today are in a hurry or usually on the go. This explains why most of them are impatient, and expect to find what they are looking for as quickly as possible. Keep these traits in mind when building a website. Visual hierarchy, or the manner in which content are arranged on a page, is very important.
After determining the main focus of a website, a web designer can now start adding in elements based on that concept. Hierarchy depends from site to site and doesn't have to be linear - so long as it looks seamless. The intelligent use of white space, color, text, size, and grouping is vital. Group same elements together, or show importance with proper spacing. Get creative as long as the main focus of the site is ever-present.
3. Trim and Snip
Sometimes, a web designer must sadly decide to scratch off a few things. This is often called 'de-cluttering'. If could happen during production, or after the entire project is finished. This takes careful discernment as well as objectivity; in some cases, unbiased third party opinions too. One of the easiest ways to de-clutter is to begin with a list.
Study the proposed design or the finished work and write down the elements to be removed. Ask questions like:
- why does this need to be taken down?
- what purpose does it serve?
- is it there for practical reasons or merely for show?
Prioritize those that truly support the main focus of the website; but don't go overboard in simplifying the design either.