How to create design
The Webdesign is often the most important for visitors. You can create a Web in high quality on technical level, with a large content and a good topic. If the visitor isn´t interested in this Web at first sight, your work can be waste.
The Internet hasn´t been about looking for information only. Many people are visiting the Internet on accout of the bore or waiting for something interesting. They don´t seek a concrete answer, but the inspiration only. An uninteresting Web is left very quickly.
But you want to offer the information to your visitors and readers (I mean, this is the reason for Web creating). Firstly, you have got information, secondly, you are looking for the way of its providing.
The philosophy of the Web design is about looking for composition between technical level (connectivity, of course) and design possibilies (mainly in graphics). This idea is not any discovery and your first Web will show you the same way of thinking.
Basic rules
The main views (remember it):
A) think of your visitors - the group of destination is the most important
B) seek an actual theme - this Web is about mathematics, that one is about a gallery presentation. Write, what people want and need (the layout of the 1st web is without tables, the layout of the 2nd one is created by tables and frames).
C) use short and simple sentences - the aim of each sentence has to be evident. Rules for content: header - max. 8 words, sentences - max. 15 words, paragraphs - max. 70 words, document - max. 500 words. The visitor´s meaning is important, no yours!
D) communicate - use the subject "you"
E) joint your Web with other Webs - themes are similar and helpful
F) use competent headers, page names, pictures for visitor´s interest, buttons, background
G) control and fill in your web all the time. Testing is very important - navigation link structure, for example.
Importance
According to statistic statement we can say, that:
1. the content and its connection with other Webs is the most important
2. hypertext links are clear and destinated
3. reading connectivity
4. lower interest in animation
Another aspect
Modern website is created on this base:
A) the visitor´s role is the most important
B) page connectivity - technical level
C) effect of the web - in commercial sphere
Page construction
The visitor is fastidious and he likes old customs. He expects that the navigation is clear and simple, on his favourite place.
You can find interesting experience - some component units of Web design are repeated according to these rules:
1. the page has a name, a logo, a position (on the top, on the left - most often)
2. the navigation is on the left of the page (mostly) - a column, a frame or a layout
3. the main window is the largest, information and pictures are aligned
4. the right column isn´t necessary, but you can use it for next hypertext links
5. the footer isn´t necessary, but give attention to the end of the page
6. the contrast between text and background is very important - all the time! The custom is dark text on light background but it depends on your destination and feeling.
7. the links are clear at first sight - even in text
8. don´t underline a header or chapter names - this attribute is for hypertext links only
9. use 256 colours if it is possible (RGB)
10. give attention to the size of the screen
11. typography and its deeping - use simple-known fonts. I use Sans Serif fonts (Verdana, Helvetica, Arial). Serif fonts - Times New Roman, Courier New (somebody can prefer it in printing). Some Linux browsers don´t support fonts of Windows - you could be disappointed.
12. think of browsers on your Web site
13. don´t fear of looking for information and advices in the Internet all the time. Many Web sites can help you - some manuals and FAQs.
If you want to provide information above all, the content will be more important than the page design. You can use many Web sites as your model. I have it, too. I prefer simplicity, oveview, and page connectivity. But you can prefer graphics, animation (Flash, JavaScripts, provocative background or no traditional layout).
All Webmasters have their style for web creating. It isn´t a mistake, I mean, the good idea and experience should be transferable. The standards W3C are very important - many Web sites are created with mistakes and without systems.