"Crash & Burn! It's the only way to Learn!"
(my motto for anything except driving/flying...)

The first thing about Web Design is don't start with the computer or some Web Design software program. In other words - get away from that keyboard eh!

Get a pad of paper out and start putting down your thoughts. Then create a "Flow Chart" of your website.

From there you will be able to start making a world class web site like mine *cough*.

But seriously, get your pen and paper out and start letting the ideas flow. Then sort them into logical order, and presto! Your blueprint of the website!

And the second thing is to view my Online PowerPoint Web Design Seminar slides for a good overview of the parts and functions of a web site. (I know - I'm so vain about it...)

1) Keep it simple. The power of good design is in its simplicity. Define the essence.

2) Don't be seduced by form versus content. The designer concerned with content is more likely to make a meaningful contribution than the designer who is primarily concerned with form.

3) Make sure you clearly identify the problem that needs solving and that you are not simply icing the cake. The final appearance is only the icing.

4) The most important aesthetic consideration is transmission speed. If it takes too long to download, go back to the drawing board.

5) Learn to communicate and collaborate with all the key Web professions: engineering, production, editorial, commercial.

6) Remember it always takes twice as long as you think it's going to.

7) Finally, some good points to remember in designing:

• Make it good - it's gotta look like someone spent time on it!

• Make it simple - it's gotta be easy to move around and understand!

• Make it relevant - it's gotta be fresh!

• Make it involving - it's gotta have interaction with the reader (i.e.: contests)

• Make it believable - it's gotta be real...no "promise the moon" sales pitch!

© Copyright 2004 T.McLaughlin & Associates