Graphic Design Tips for your Website
Think before you start.
List the goals of your website.
Know what type of audience you are targeting.
Make a flow chart and a rough plan of your pages and their content.
Keep your design simple.
Your layout and graphics should set the mood and complement the message of your text, but they should not distract your viewers from your main goals and content.
Limit your colors, font styles and text formatting. A busy-looking page is stressful and confusing to the reader.
Leave some open space on each page so the eye has a chance to rest.
Establish visual priority.
Decide which things are the most important on the page and have them stand out by making them larger, bolder, or by leaving more space around them.
Don’t make viewers scroll to reach important content. It should be placed within the top viewable portion of the screen as much as possible.
Organize and refine your layout.
- Group all related text and elements together and connect them visually.
- Pick a consistent text alignment and stick to it throughout the website. Align your text with other visual elements on the page.
- Your design plan, graphic styles and color scheme should also remain consistent. For example, use the same font, color, and type size for all headlines and another size or color for all subheads.
Make sure your text is easy to read.
- Use contrasting colors for the font and background. Dark type on a white background is easiest to read.
- Body text is usually 10 or 12 points, depending on the font style, and headings are usually between 14 and 24-point sizes.
- Limit the use of italics or type with all-caps, as this is difficult to read.
Make sure your site is easy to navigate.
- Make your links clear and easy to recognize. They should look unique from your text and their style and location should be consistent on every page.
- Your readers should be able to find what they are looking for within three clicks; otherwise they are likely to give up the search.