Lime Dezign UK

What makes a good design

The Admin — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:53:00 GMT

A lot of people can recognize good design when they see it on the web. But most people don't really know what makes that design good.

How do you define "good design?" Is it subjective, like your favorite flavor of ice cream? Although there is some subjectivity within good design, there are artistic principles that good design is built from. Here are a few that form the foundation of good design.

1. Proximity

Because items that are in close proximity to one another become one visual unit, items that are related to one another should be grouped together. Laying out related items on a website page this way helps the eye associate the information and enables the viewer to mentally categorize the information easily. The flip side of this principle is that items that are not related should not be placed in close proximity to one another.

The purpose of the principle of proximity is to organize information in a way that enables viewers to quickly and easily comprehend. When information is organized, people are more likely to read it and respond. People are also more likely to remember information that is organized.

How can you determine if items form a visual unit? Squint your eyes and look at the page on a website. Now count the number of times your eye stops as it views the page. On a page that is using the principle of proximity well, your eye will stop three to five times. In other words, there will be three to five groups of information for the eye to comprehend separately.

2. Alignment

You've seen website page layouts where the text and graphics are placed wherever there happens to be space. The effect is messy, with no impact. Nothing should be placed on a page arbitrarily. There should be a visual connection between each item on the page. When items are aligned, it creates a cohesiveness that the eye appreciates.

The purpose of alignment is to unify the website page. Imagine a well-organized kitchen. All the pots and pans are stored in the organizer, the fruit is nicely displayed in a basket on the counter, the spices are all on the rack - everything is in its place. A page layout needs the same thing.

Look at a website page that you feel is good design. Now focus on the main visual element. Where does your eye go from there? Do you see how other elements are aligned with that one main element both vertically and horizontally?

3. Repetition

Good design repeats some aspect of the website design throughout the site. It's this repetition that makes all the pages in a site look like they belong together. Color scheme, graphic elements, typefaces - all of these elements should be repeated - used consistently - throughout.

The purpose of repetition is to create consistency and to add visual interest. Repetition creates a professional, polished look that the eye is drawn to. When a website design uses repetition and is consistent, it is more likely to be viewed and read.

Here are some ways you can create repetition beyond simple consistency in typefaces and colors: Use some element in your logo as a major graphic element in the design. If you are using a ruled line, make the line more interesting visually by perhaps making it with tiny dots or dashes, then repeating the line element throughout the design. Create patterns that are repeated throughout the design. Take a small element and place it somewhere on each page for a whimsical look. Just be careful not to overdo the repetition, or viewers will be annoyed rather than pleased.

4. Contrast

The principle of contrast states that if two items are not the same, then they should be different - very different. Contrast creates an organizational hierarchy of the information and graphics on a webpage. When using contrast, you can't be a wimp! The contrast must be strong to be effective.

The purpose of contrast is two-fold: to create interest on the page, and to organize information. A page that is interesting to look at is more likely to be read. And contrasting elements will help a reader understand the way the information is organized.

Contrast can be created in many ways. You can contrast large type with small type, a serif font with a sans-serif font, bold with light, smooth texture with rough texture, a small graphic with a large one, a dark color with a light one.

A design that integrates these principles will automatically gain a professionalism and polish that it would otherwise lack. Next time you stumble across a website design that makes you say "wow", check for these principles - you'll find them quietly working to make that design a good one!

Testimonial - SJT America

The Admin — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:48:00 GMT

Lime Dezign was helpful from the outset. Not pushy or trying to sell, but offering suggestions and advice on the best way things would work.
I was a little apprehensive at first, but they helped us through each stage, and put up with our many demands, explaining in simple, clear language when required.
I couldn’t recommend Lime Dezign enough, and will definitely be using them for future projects.

Simon - SJT America

Small Business Website Design

The Admin — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 12:00:18 GMT

It is important that any small business website design portrays the right impression of your company and presents your company as a professional, competent business. To achieve this your website must convey such an image and will only do so if it is professionally designed.

Selecting the right website design company is an important factor when starting a new site. Essentially it will be the start of a long relationship, so you need to feel at ease with your website designer and ensure they will be available when you need them.

The majority of our clients are uk small businesses, individuals and sme's.

We have helped them set up new web sites, often from a conceptual idea or the back of a cigarette packet!!!!.

It's one thing knowing you need a website, but another matter trying to find the time to decide what it should look like and what it should contain - That is where we come in and take the burdon of design and development away from you.

Website design for small businesses is our core offering and we have a range of solutions available for the small business owner, so if you would like any advice, guidance or information please feel free to contact us for small business advice.

Website Redesign - Should you?

The Admin — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 11:38:33 GMT

Websites are the most cost-effective way to promote and conduct business. But how do you know when the time is right to redesign your website?

Here are some points you should consider before embarking on a website redesign.

How do you rank against your competition?

Your website is the first impression someone has of your business, and your visitors will be conducting some online comparisons. Does your website look dated next to your competitor? Has a competitor recently redesigned their website to stand above you in both search engines and viauality? Staying one step ahead of your competition is always a good idea.

Is your website still valid?

If your website is more than a few years old, there is a good chance it was designed and developed with non-standard code. Websites with standards compliant code are easier to maintain, rank higher in search engines, have increased accessibility and ensure design uniformity. Check the W3C Validator!!!!

Is your websitescalable?

Today number of legacy technologies have been set aside in website development. The risk to you, the website owner, is that you will be unable to find people to develop your website. If your website is running on one of these older technologies now is the time to update.

Is your website more than simple information?

Early websites were strictly informational. Today a website has much more functionality. Contact forms, mailing lists, forums, blogs, reviews, calendars, rss feeds, audio and video - all of these (and many more items) are becoming commonplace on websites. Having such features will both keep your website current and give visitors more reasons to return.

What is your website for?

Besides technology and visual concerns looking at obvious items such as website goals is important. The days of having a website to merely have a website are gone. Today websites focus on return on investment and serve as a tool for converting visitors into customers and clients.

Visitor feedback?

Every day your visitors tell you is useful on your website and what is redundant. Website stats and analytics give you this information. Look at your stats and analytics and see if you are meeting your visitors needs. This information is invaluable when considering a redesign.

To Summarise

Websites and the technologies behind them change rapidly.

New technologies improve how your website is built (both from a visual and technical standpoint) and make it easier to manage. By considering the points above you will be able to determine if the time has come to redesign your current website and make it work harder for you.

Web Design - The Oak Glasshouse

The Admin — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 21:59:53 GMT

The Oak Glasshouse Company wanted an effective classy looking website with a minimum budget. We designed the site with a straightforward but effective style that would associate the brand with their website. By keeping non-required functionality to a minimum we were able to design the website within budget.

Web Design - Computer Doctor

The Admin — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 21:48:45 GMT

Computer Doctor wanted a site that ranked highly in the search engines and that had an effective design to complement their business profile. We designed the site with a subtle style that would associate the brand with their website. We also optimised the design for Google and SEO

Web Design - Manfors

The Admin — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 21:45:02 GMT

Manfors required a site that would provide information instantly to its customers. They wanted a simple anf effective website design that would bring customers directly to it's products rather than searching for them. We designed the site with a single customer sakes message in a very competitive market.

Web Design - GEF

The Admin — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 21:31:00 GMT

Great English Fireplaces asked us to create a site that had a subtle and contemporary design while at the same time conveying a strong web presence. The site included image montages, search facilities and SEO.

Web Development - SJT America

The Admin — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 21:27:00 GMT

SJT America asked us to create a site that had all the functionality of its competitors plus added functionality from an admin perspective. We designed the site with a strong brand image and SEO. We also incorporated a management system, user control panels and account management systems to allow users and customers their own SJT America experience

Web Design - Pink Parrott

The Admin — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 21:10:00 GMT

Pink Parrot came to us wanting a functionally rich website with a minimal startup cost. We provided the customer with a bespoke design and functions that allowed users to swap items online. We also integrated the site with a popular online payment facility so that members could buy and sell items that they did not want to swap.