Web design principles

One does not need a degree in web designing to design a web. Following the four basic principles of web design, alignment, proximity, repetition and contrast can help an individual design a web page that is comprehendible by his/her audience. The four principles of web design helps to provide a professional and clean appearance to a web page. The audience will be able to identify the web page’s purpose and navigate through the page more conveniently.

Alignment is the biggest problem when it comes to web design. Most people try to make their web page look different by adding text or images all over their page. They would add text on the left margin, add an image, and then flush to the middle or right. This makes the page appear too messy because the text is not organized. It is imperative to choose only one alignment and use it throughout the entire page. The safest alignment to choose would be center since it makes everything symmetrical.

The principle of proximity is choosing what two items should relate on the web page. These two items are to be placed near each other to let the audience know that they are related. However, the web designer must make sure that the items are appropriate for one another. For example, the title “Dinosaurs” should be closer to “Tyrannosaurus Rex” than “Cheetah.” As a web designer, one must know his/her material and what elements that material are related

Repetition is important to make each page of a web page look like it belongs to the same person, company or site. The same colors and layout should be used all throughout the web site. This help the viewer know his/her way around the website without having to learn a new concept on every page.

Contrast helps catch and keep the viewer’s attention. A change in the font, for example may make one thing stand out more than another. However, contrast is not necessary when continuous text is being presented, such as a novel or article. A contrast in continuous text would interrupt the viewers reading.

The use of color is one of the most important elements in web designing. Some people are afraid of using color schemes that they have seen before. However, there have not been color schemes that have not been used. Therefore, one should use any color scheme that they feel will parallel with their site. Hence, the colors chosen should give the site an overall feeling or personality where the site’s images have predominantly the same colors as the site.

Reading Basic Design Principles allow me to critique my own web page. I have to adjust the alignment of my page again because my texts are not all lined up together. Additionally, the colors that I have chosen does not set the mood for my paper. However, I did do a good job at proximity and repetition. It is not difficult to determine what items are related o my web page. Additionally, the same colors are used and the navigation buttons remain in the same area as the one on the previous page. All in all, my web page is going very well but after reading Basic Design Principles, it can be improved a great deal.