Layout
The layout of your website will impact its usability and functionality. When choosing a layout there are no rules, but you should keep in mind a few principles. Consider the audience you are targeting and do not use a layout that is too stimulating. This could distract from the message.
Shapes and spacing
Shapes
Use of graphic elements can be used to seamlessly integrate text with images and improve the overall appearance of a site. Combining colours and shapes to direct your visitors’ attention and improve your site flow is a great way to attract their attention. For Website Design Northants, visit https://wtbi.agency/what-we-do/website-design-development/northants/
Spacing
The use of space is essential to the creation of visually appealing and easily navigable websites. In some way, every element of your design will include spacing. Be sure to keep your spacing consistent across different elements.
Whitespace must be used correctly to create a design which balances text, graphics, and photos. Consistent spacing can make it easier for your visitors to navigate your site. Modern web designers are very conscious of the concept of whitespace.
Images, icons and video
Images & Icons
In just a few moments, amazing designs can convey a great deal of information. Using powerful icons and images makes this possible. Select images and icons to support and reinforce your message.
Video
Designers are increasingly integrating videos into their web designs. Videos can be used to help users understand or experience a message in a way that text and images cannot.
Be sure that your videos do not compete or distract from other elements. Video autoplay can be annoying to visitors, cause page loading times to increase, and disrupt the user experience. This can also use up mobile data, distract visitors from important content and increase bounce rates.
Summary
This article sets out key visual elements of web design. It covers choosing a layout suited to your audience without being overly stimulating, using shapes and colour to direct attention and improve site flow, and keeping spacing and whitespace consistent for easy navigation. It also covers using images and icons to convey information quickly, and using video carefully so it doesn’t slow page loading.
Questions this article raises
- How much whitespace is too much before a page starts to feel empty?
- Does autoplay video actually hurt conversion rates, or just user annoyance?
- How should a site’s layout differ between desktop and mobile audiences?
