We have compiled a list of web design related blogs which we read and thought we would share them with you. You can either download the OPML file and import all of the RSS feeds into your reader or just click through from the links below.
A portfolio is a showcase of work, the portfolio site itself can also create a blank canvas to allow a designer to do whatever they want with it, and here is over 40 examples of beautifully put together portfolios!
Horizontal websites are quite rare, but when done properly they can really make a website standout. So we have put together a compilation of 11 horizontal websites which are beautiful to look at and navigate.
Twitter Profile backgrounds are a great thing, they allow you to add a unique touch to your twitter profile which will help you separate yourself from everyone else, so what we have done is collect 37 which we found creative and hopefully they will inspire you to add your own personal background.
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Now, if you’re a web designer you might not appreciate the bluntness of this truth:
Web design is subservient to content
But, understanding what web design is, you’re not offended because you know any kind of design (architecture, graphic design, fashion etc.) is about communication and function. Design that fails to communicate or fulfil its functional requirements is decoration and will not be successful.
You know the 5 critical aspects of a website, in order of importance, are:
Starting with quality content, the site must then meet functional requirements, ensure usability and visibility. Only once this is achieved can or should the appearance be decided.
A successful website is one that communicates effectively with its target audience. And what’s our primary means of communicating? Words. Copywriting is essential in effective communication and it’s no accident that the vast majority of online content is the written word.
Attention-grabbing headlines and ad copy, creative and memorable marketing messages, NLP and engaging web content, killer sales copy and strong calls-to-action… these all place different demands on the design.
In other words, web design is dictated by content and therefore by copy. Everything from the number of pages, structure, semantic XHMTL and onsite SEO to the layout… Copy should also have a huge influence on the appearance as both must work in harmony.
Photoshop is the final stage in a long design process — before you reach for it ensure you’re designing to maximise the value of the content, not producing pretty but ineffective decoration.
John Broughton is an SEO copywriter at Vivid Copy and you can find more of his copywriting articles on Escaping the Word Cage.
