The idea of web design & development has been around for nearly as long as websites have existed. It used to have a much simpler meaning because website production used to be a much simpler procedure.
When you compare the original website, which came out in 1991, to present websites, you can truly see how much webpages have evolved. Today, establishing and managing a website is more difficult, and involves an ecosystem of responsibilities and skill sets.
For designers, it might be tough to determine specifically where you fit into this ecosystem. This article describes the essential parts of the website building process, presenting a clear picture of your role, the roles of others, and the skill sets involved.
Web design and development is an umbrella phrase that describes the process of developing a website. Like the name suggests, it requires two key skill sets: web design and web development. Web design determines the look and feel of a website, whereas web development decides how it performs.
Because there isn’t often a firm line that distinguishes the two roles, the titles are often used interchangeably. As the web continues to expand, so do the roles.
Elements Of Web Design
In his book, The Politics of Design, the legendary designer Paul Rand noted, “Design is a problem-solving activity. It gives a technique of clarifying, synthesising, and dramatising a word, a picture, a product, or an event.”
Web designers are continually fixing difficulties for their users. Websites should make it easy for people to get where they want to go and do what they want to do. A disgruntled user is less likely to linger around, much alone come back to a website.
Layout: The layout is the arrangement of a website’s header, navigation menu, footer, content, and visuals. The layout depends on the website’s purpose and how a web designer wants the user to engage with the website.
For example, a photography website would priorities huge attractive images, while an editorial site would priorities text and letter spacing. The headings in this page are a basic example of visual hierarchy. They swiftly let you, the reader, know what this piece is about.
Navigation: Navigation lets a user go from point A to point B utilising navigational tools including site architecture, menus, and search bars. Simple, effective navigation helps consumers access the information they’re seeking for quickly and effortlessly.
Color: Color gives a website individuality, makes it stand out, and shows the user how to take action. The colour palette could be determined by a brand’s existing identification or by the content of a website (like how this plant website uses tones of green) (like how this plant website uses hues of green). A consistent colour palette helps add order to a website.
Examples Of Web Design
The following examples include an agency website, an ecommerce site, and a personal portfolio. Each serves a different purpose, but they’re all easy to use thanks to straightforward navigation, fast loading speeds, and clear layouts.
Partners & Spade
Partners & Spade is a New York City–based branding studio. Their website design is interactive without losing simplicity. You know exactly what they’re about as soon as you visit their home page, and it’s easy to find their contact info, work examples, client list, and location.
