Success in the World of Internet Communication

Success in the world of Internet communication

 Standfirst:

“The world is but a canvas to the imagination,” said Henry David Thoreau, American writer and philosopher. Today his words are as true as ever. In the world brimming with natural beauty, centuries of remarkable art and nearly unlimited human creativity, the possibilities of design are boundless. And with the Internet at your fingerprints, it is easy and convenient to communicate your ideas to the world

 The main means of communication in the 21st century is the Internet. People search it for information, inspiration and business. That is why the role of web design has become so crucial in today’s world. Nearly every business and company has a website, even individuals buy their own space on the net to share their passions and knowledge with others. Therefore, being able to create a website which is attractive artistically and serves the purposes of a client is a skill website designers have to master. 

There are both commercial and design principles that need to be considered when creating a website. It is advisable not to rush it and take time to think things through carefully.

In terms of commercial suitability of a website, it is important that you define the purpose of your website. Implying that you wish for it to support your business, company or organisation, you need to know your audience. Who do you think will visit your website and what they are looking for? Whoever your target audience is, you need to meet their needs and interests in order for your website to be successful. Also, make sure that your website is not difficult to use, as people’s IT skills vary.

Another aspect which has to be thought about very carefully is the content of the website. It should meet the audience’s needs and, to make sure that it does, it is useful to test your idea on a focus group. As soon as you define the needs and interests, think about how you’d like to organise the site, what links you’d like to include and how to call it. 

      2

Now, let’s take a little bit more technical approach and talk about dos and don’ts of a successful website.

Dos:

• As mentioned, above, you should have an easy navigation, so that even the first time user of the Internet does not get lost.


• In order to make the visitors come back to your website, set up a forum, a chat room or a blog. Allow the users to express their opinions (forums and chart rooms) and let them get to know you better (blog). This will keep them involved and curious about what is going on in your virtual world. 


• You can also provide some fun for your audience. Why not make a little quiz, game or a puzzle? It’ll keep the users entertained while learning about your offers. They will remember your site better and probably come back to it again.


• Also, a very important point to make is to update your website frequently. The information you provide must not only be accurate, but it would also be good that you add on something new there regularly, so that a returning visitor can discover something new about your business, hobby or anything else you want to feature there.

Now, having said a lot of dos, let’s find out what you shouldn’t do.

Don’ts

·        It is not advisable to have a splash page – an opening page with a “click here to enter” link. It does not convey any information and can discourage people from going further to get info.

·        Avoid putting unnecessary adverts and audio on your website, as they may distract the visitors from reading the content of the website.

·        Try to come up with an uncomplicated website address that is easy to remember and type in.

3

When you define all of the above aspects, it is time to think about the graphic look of your website. Many people think that creating a punchy site is simple, but they forget that web design is an art in itself. It is not just putting a few links and pictures together. It actually is, or should be, a skilful process of synchronising colours, balance and proportion to name just a few. It is, therefore, worth investing in professional web designers to take care of your website. They will create a page according to the design principles, which are the key to a visually attractive web page. These principles are:

Balance

An eye-catching website has to be stable visually. In order to create a well balanced composition, all the objects on the page must be given appropriate weight and force.

Rhythm

Every web page has its rhythm. It is created by a repetition or alteration of elements. Rhythm is there to create a sense of movement, and a good Internet site should be dynamic and vibrant.

  Proportion

This refers to the size and scale of the elements contained within a website. Proportion builds a relationship between these elements, giving an impression of unity and harmony.

Dominance

This influences where the eye goes first when looking at the page. It is used to give emphasis to certain elements of the design by determining the visual weight of the composition and establishing space and perspective. 

Harmony

This concept describes the association among the individual parts and the website as a whole. It ties the composition together and makes the whole page pleasant for the eye.

      4

  Rule of thirds

This rule, which is popular in photography, can also be applied in web design. Its purpose is to locate the most interesting elements of the composition off the centre.

Visual centre

What follows from the above is that the visual centre of web page is not in the middle, but slightly above and to the right. That’s where all the important info/photos/links should go.

Colour & Typography

Finally, the last thing playing a vital role in the look of your website is its colours and typography. The fonts should reflect the character of the page and the massage it conveys. The colours should also be applied with the purpose of the page in mind. If it is a business site and you want it to look professional, use blue. Yet, if it is a website of a  local florist, orange or pink would seem more suitable, as they are warmer and more intimate.   

These are the universal rules of creating a piece of art, whether on a canvas on in the digital world. And they do apply to a whole range of different areas of commercial market. They are relevant in advertising too and whenever you see a brochure, a poster or a flyer that draws your attention, you can be sure that they were designed with all of the above in mind.  

End

 Copyright©2008 effectPROJECT                                                                                                                                       

Bibliography:

• Books

-         Lawson, B., How Designers Think; The Design Process Demystified, The Architectural Press Ltd, London, 1986

-         Oldach, M., Creativity for Graphic Designers, North Light Books, 2000

• Internet

-         McClurg-Ganevese, J. D., The Principles of Design, 13 June 2005,

-         The Principles of Design, [online],

-         Baby Steps to Web Design,

Copyright © 2008 effectPROJECT