1. Design Basics
What is the most important thing on the page?
What is of second importance? Next?Use size, weight, and color to establish importance. It enhances readability and visual interest
(makes it easier communicate information on the page).Used well, it organizes the page and is easier on the eye. White space is your friend. A cluttered page is unpleasant to read. Keep it simple (I can't stress that enough!) A grid is an invisible set of vertical and horizontal guidelines that defines where to put things on the page. It can have two or more columns vertically. Two or three columns for a simple grid, more for a more complicated, flexible grid.
Create and use a grid before placing anything on the page.
It allows you to maintain a consistent layout, organization, and look
throughout your site. It also makes your job easier and the viewer happier!It gives the page a planned, cohesive look and ensures consistency
throughout your Web pages.You use your grid to align objects and type. With an established grid, you can use the first page as a template
for the rest, cutting down your production time.Typography is simply the selection and arrangement of type. The purpose is usually to communicate and organize most effectively - make the page inviting and easy to read. Unfortunately, HTML doesn't offer any real typographic control. Worse yet, the viewer chooses their viewing typeface within their browser. Your best bet to bring some typographic interest (and control) to the page is to create your headlines as "artwork" and not try to wrestle with the limits of HTML. Here's some basic typographic tips:
Typeface designs have feelings. Use the type itself to express thoughts:
strong and bold, business-like and efficient, or elegant and delicate.
What is appropriate for the particular job?Type has color: big heavy type looks black next to small, delicate type.
Tight letters looks darker than spread out letters.Don't mix more than 2 typefaces: choose for contrast, they should look
obviously different.A safe bet is one serif face (letters with lines or curves on the ends:
like Times or Palatino) and one sans serif (without serifs: Helvetica or Futura).
SERIF
SANS SERIF
Now, on to. . . 2. Web Design Tips
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