Even though the subject is only lately gaining formal recognition, web design is different from print graphic designs, its rules and principles are different and this is important to remember. This blog is all about designing for the web, and here are a few general principles that differentiate design for the web from other types of design.

Unlike the emphases in regular graphic design, web design is all about the pixels and maintaining sharp and clean images that are easy on the eye. This means:

1. Maintaining Textual Clarity:

As you lay your texts on the web page, consider the type of anti-aliasing technique you’re going to use. Each setting has a different reaction to different resolutions. I usually use the ‘Sharp’ setting that forces some of the pixels to align but occasionally distorts the font when displayed in smaller settings.

2. Lines:

Browse through the different free Flash templates at MassiveTemplates.com. You’ll notice that often there is a thin line dividing different sections. Often this is a thin gray line, not much wider than a single pixel. This trick mimics the sharpening filter effect. By emphasizing the division between two areas of a page makes both parts appear sharper and more separate, making them easier to read.

3. Colors:

The colors you use will also have a great influence on the clarity of the content on your page, particularly if used wisely. Using contrasting colors between the background and the objects in the foreground will emphasize the foreground. There are of course varying levels of contrast, but I suggest you play around with it. Good backgrounds are often the plainest, in shades of gray without too much noise.

4. Noticing the Details and Aligning Your Objects:

God is in the details they say. I’m not sure about the spiritual aspect of this statement, but in terms of web design, I’m pretty sure that the saying is right on the mark. After you finish your web design and you’ve placed all the objects on the page, start cleaning up the design. Make sure your objects are aligned to the level of a pixel. This fine tuning might seem redundant to you but it induces a cleanliness that is grasped intuitively, even if you can’t quite place your finger on the change. Taking these small details into

Working With Light & Shade

Use gradients to create depth and shadows in your design. One of the main differences between designing for print and designing for the internet is in the amount of depth and shadow you can and need to incorporate in your design. What I mean is that if you were to design a brochure, it would be absolutely reasonable if you used only straight, flat colors. Your design could still appear beautiful and complete. You could use other tools such as the specific type of paper glaze that creates the effect of depth or complexity. You don’t have those added value materials when you’re working for the computer screen. This doesn’t mean that you should add depth and gradient to every single element on your web page. Once again, I would like to emphasize that minimalism is often best, and using an effect in moderation often leads to a much stronger effect.

There are other ways in which you can create depth, such as adding a little bit of shadow, bevel or highlights to your work… particularly to texts. This will lead to a softer, rounder, more interesting design without screaming gimmick at the world!

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