5 October 2004
Basic Web Design Principles
Being able to design a decent web page doesn't require innate talent. But it does require an understanding of basic design principles. We'll talk about the principles outlined in Williams & Tollett's The Non-Designer's Web Book.
We'll critique some web pages together as a class, and then break into small groups to formally evaluate others.
Readings on Basic Web Design Principles
For class, please read Chapters 5-8 of The Non-Designer's Web Book.
If you want to go beyond the basics, you can try these:
In-Class Exercise: Design
Working with 1-2 other students (you may not work alone, and you may not work in groups of more than 3 people), go to The Viola Site. Look over the site, and then evaluate it based on the basic design principles laid out by Williams & Tollett:
- Alignment
- Proximity
- Repetition
- Contrast
Summarize your group's opinions of the site, and provide some suggestions for how the site design could be improved. (Post that information as a comment to this exercise; be sure to include all group members' names.)
choosing color schemes
Having trouble picking colors for your site? This might help.
Use it to find basic triads of colors. It helps. Really.