Category Archives: Design

10 Top Principles of Effective Web Design

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Similar to the expression “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, effective web design is assessed by the users of the website and not the proprietors of the site. Numerous components affect the usability of a website, and it is just not about its functionality but as well as the structure or how great it looks.

Web sites that are not well designed have a tendency to perform inadequately and have sub-optimal Google Analytics metrics. So what makes a good web design?

Below we discover the main ten web design principles that will make your site pleasing, simple to use and efficient.

1. Purpose

Great web design always takes into account the requirements of the users. Are your web guests searching for entertainment, information, or some interaction? Your website pages need to have a definite purpose and to satisfy a particular requirement for your website visitors in the most compelling way possible.

2. Communication

Individuals on the web want quick information, so it is necessary to communicate clearly and make your information simple to read and digest. Some effective strategies to incorporate into your web design include: sorting out information using headlines and sub-headlines, using bullet points rather than long, blustery sentences, and cutting the waffle.

3. Typefaces

In general, Sans Serif text fonts such as Arial and Verdana are simpler to read online. The basic font size for reading without difficulty online is 16px and a maximal of 3 typefaces in a maximal of 3 point sizes to keep your design rationalised.

4. Colours

A good web design and a well colour palette can go far to boost user experience. Complementary colours create harmony and balance. Using contrasting colours for the content and background will make reading simpler on the eye. Vibrant colours create emotion and ought to be used sparingly. To wrap things up, white space/negative space is efficient at giving your website a modern and uncluttered look.

5. Images

A picture paints a thousand of words, and picking the right pictures for your site can help with brand connecting and positioning with your target audience. If you don’t have professional photographs on hand, consider buying stock pictures to lift the look of your website. Likewise, consider using infographics, graphics and videos as these can be a great deal at conveying than a written piece of text.

6. Navigation in your Website

Navigating concerns on how simple it is for individuals to take action and move around your website. A few strategies for efficient navigation include an intelligent page hierarchy, using bread crumbs, designing clickable buttons, and following the “three click rule” which implies users will have the capacity to discover the information they are searching within tree clicks.

7. Grid Based Layouts

Placing content randomly on your website page can end up with a heed-less appearance that is untidy. Grid-based layouts organise content into areas, sections and boxes that line up and feel adjusted, which prompts a better-looking website design.

8. “F” Pattern Design

Eye tracking studies have distinguished that individuals scan computer screens in an “F” pattern. A large portion of what individuals see is on the top and left of the screen, and usually, the right side of the screen is seldom seen. Instead of trying to drive the viewer’s visual flow, efficiently designed websites will work with a reader’s natural behaviour and show information in order of significance.

9. Load Time

Everyone hates a website that needs ages to load. Tips to make page load times more active include streamlining picture sizes (size and scale), consolidating code into a basic CSS or JavaScript document and minify HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

10. Mobile Friendly

It is currently typical to get to websites from numerous devices with different screen sizes, so it is essential to consider if your website is mobile friendly. But if your website is not mobile-friendly, you can either rebuild it in a responsive layout or you can construct a committed portable website.

It is easy to make a pleasing and functional website, basically by remembering these design elements in mind. These effective web design principles can offer your website some assistance with being all the more captivating, helpful, and vital for visitors.

Planning Your Renovation – The Design Build Process

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Need extra space in your home? Or maybe you just don’t like the way your existing space is laid out and you want a change. A good renovator can help. The Design/Build contractor is one who has the staff or the ability to design your project himself. Here I want to talk about the design/build process so you have an idea what to expect if you ever get yourself involved in a large renovation project on your home.

So you’ve contacted a renovation contractor to renovate your existing space with an addition and set up a meeting with him. This is the initial meeting. At the client – contractor interview You will want to ask questions related to the contractors qualification and abilities to complete the work you want done. This could include “design to finish” or if you have an architect and design already just the construction management. Also at this meeting the contractor will want some background information on you as well to qualify you as to how serious you are in getting the project done or are you just “kicking tires”.

Also at this meeting would be the project overview. Here you will discuss your project and the priority in which it is to be completed. The budget, general costs and value along with an overview of the design/build process should be discussed as I am discussing with you now. Next item of interest is design choices and the costs for this service. The architect will generally charge a fee of 2 1/2 % of the costs of the project. Add to that another 2 1/2% for the construction drawings(electrical, plumbing etc.). Designer fees typically range from $1000.00 and up. Small projects such as a kitchen remodel, $500.00 and up. Then you could have interior decorator fees as well if you choose to have someone else decorate for you. Finally you will expect to discuss protection efforts and construction guidelines to protect your home during construction and also your living requirements during the process.

The next meeting you will have is the design meeting. At this meeting you will be introduced to the designer or architect to discuss their qualifications along with the project overview, budget, project priorities and special interests. A discussion of the fees and the design agreement will end this meeting.

The agreement meeting will come next where you read, discuss, and sign the design agreement and establish a design program with the designer/architect.

At the field measurement meeting the contractor takes measurements around the home for the preliminary drawings and to determine if a new lot survey is required.

Preliminary drawing submission meeting is set up to discuss and finalize the design and to provide the contractor with his copy of the designs.

The preliminary design detail meeting is when the contractor, architect,and the client come together to review the plans and to make changes if needed.

Prepare and submit preliminary design cost estimate. Here we obtain estimates from major subcontractors, discuss preliminary costs, compare them to the budget and make any changes. Allowances are discussed and a product selection guide may be given to the client.

Prepare construction drawings. At this meeting the client can begin to make their product selections such as cabinets, bath fixtures, flooring etc.Along with the designer/architect and possibly an interior designer.

At the prepare and submit final project bid meeting the major subcontractors provide their final bids based on the final drawings, the final costs on allowances and product selections are determined and the drawings, costs and scope of work is reviewed with the client.

At this point the financing procedures begin. The loan application is filled out and submitted to the lender along with the bid and drawings. The loan officer may require an appraisal. In some states the contractors contract may not be signed for a period of time such as 12 days. Next an appointment will be set for the signing of the loan and the contractors contract and you may need to sign a disclosure statement. This will take place at the bank or lenders office.

Apply for the permit and complete the selection guide. The introduction of the project manager, marketing manager, lead carpenter, and demo/site prep subcontractor will be held at the pre construction conference. Present the client with contractor/project manage phone numbers and an up graded scope of work narrative.

Begin site preparation and demo.

Submit first draw invoice and receive payment.

Creating Designs for Fabric Painting

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There are a number of formulas, designs and concepts circulating for creative fabric design. Many of these teach folks how to duplicate designs that others have already made. For some that is a good starting point as they develop certain skills and techniques in fabric painting. For those who wish to be creative and original, the paint by pattern route can only serve as a springboard to creating their own designs for fabric painting.

A great start in this venture is to recognize the awesome talents of the artists you admire; perhaps there is something in their style that grabs you. Blending what you have seen with the influences from your surroundings and cultural background can be a positive springboard to your creative expression.

Notice I said blend or merging of styles and concepts. It’s quite natural for artists to be influenced to some degree in their area of interest; however to be a copycat artist is not at all a flattering position to take. In fact it really should be shunned especially if there is any interest in developing as a serious artist. The majority of art lovers love what they love for the originality and uniqueness and generally do not indulge in purchasing wannabes’s or counterfeits.

So where do you start? Well you’ll be amazed to know that you have already begun. There is beauty all around you, much of what you see, wear and do will continue to be communicated through your designs. Familiarize yourself with the basic painting tools and techniques and experiment to see what they can do. It’s absolutely amazing the textures, patterns and techniques you can develop with just items around your home.

What colors do you find impactful? Work with those initially. Are there any shapes or themes you are particularly drawn to? Then start designing with these; a design does not have to be busy or elaborate to be effective. In many cases it is the simplistic designs for fabric that people are drawn to.

Knowing the basics of fabric painting will enable you to work on different types of fabrics as well as exotic fabrics to create elegant and unique pieces. Your designs can then be applied to clothing, shoes, costumes, bed sheets, table mats, or you can even design custom fabrics to be produced for interiors, drapes and upholstery.

Keep in mind that fabrics being prepared for this kind of art should be paint friendly; a fabric that holds the paint and is not saturated with chemicals to cause a conflict between the two. Some fabric paints require heat-setting for the paint to properly adhere to the material. If the fabric had to be pre-washed to remove any chemicals or reduce the shrinkage, iron it to remove all wrinkles and creases.

Once your fabric is ready for painting you can begin working on your design. Perhaps the skin of wild animal or colorful frogs will inspire your colors and patterns. Remember, you can get your inspiration for lovely designs for fabric painting by simply looking around your environment, getting ideas online and most of all from within you.