| The main purpose of any website is to | | | | colours and is therefore not a great choice to |
| communicate with its visitors and how each visitor | | | | design restaurant or food web sites. Rather use a |
| experience the web site will largely depend on the | | | | combination of red, orange and yellow. |
| actual visitor, i.e. a teenager will be more attracted | | | | Texture is anything that gives a specific feel being |
| to a new funky website, than a more mature | | | | it in the background or in imagery or even in the |
| person, who is just looking for the actual | | | | fonts used in the text. A rough texture may be |
| information in the content. | | | | more suitable for web sites that is used for |
| However there are basics that must be adhered | | | | outdoor activities or safari travel websites, where |
| to in web design to make the web site pleasing to | | | | as smooth, silky texture would be great for |
| visit, easy to navigate and that will leave a lasting | | | | weddings, ladies clothes or baby web sites. |
| impression on the visitor. These are: | | | | The core purpose of all web design is |
| - Layout, | | | | communication and therefore typography plays a |
| - Colour, | | | | very important role in this. Many web designers |
| - Texture, | | | | do not think about typography as an important |
| - Typography and | | | | part, however if you look at magazines and the |
| - Imagery | | | | numerous different font styles and sizes used, |
| Using a balanced combination of these 5 elements, | | | | the importance of typography cannot be stressed |
| will allow a visitor to: | | | | enough. There are numerous obstacles in using |
| - Enjoy a pleasing design, but that will allow for | | | | typography on web sites, one which is that a |
| easy access to the actual content | | | | visitor may not have the specific font loaded on |
| - Move around the website easily with intuitive | | | | his computer and will therefore not see the exact |
| navigation | | | | font. This can however be overcome by placing |
| - Recognize that each page belongs to the web | | | | such "exotic" fonts in images. |
| site | | | | When it comes to imagery the points to keep in |
| When it comes to layout, the main aim must | | | | mind is to ensure that they are relevant to the |
| always be to use the golden ratio or as it would | | | | content, they must be interesting and they are |
| be used in web design is the rule of thirds. The | | | | appealing to the visitor. Relevant images can add |
| page is divided into thirds and navigation, content | | | | interest to any web layout and also enhance the |
| and imagery is then placed in these different | | | | content of the site, but these should also be |
| sections to allow for a more pleasing layout. | | | | interesting and appealing so that it emphasis the |
| Colour plays a very important role in web design. | | | | content and ensures that the visitor is hooked to |
| Colour associations are one of the most | | | | the content. |
| important aspects to take into consideration for | | | | In summary, if the basics of web design, layout, |
| example red is always associated with love and | | | | colour, texture, typography and imagery are used |
| thus no one will design a Valentine's web site in | | | | in a balanced relationship with each other you |
| green or blue. Similarly green is associated with | | | | should have a web site that will be aesthetically |
| nature and blue symbolizes openness, intelligence | | | | appealing and functional to your visitors ensuring |
| and faith. Blue is not part of Nature's appetizing | | | | more visitors to your web site. |