“First impressions last.” A saying that many of us use daily, but don’t always live up to. It’s one thing to dress smartly to work or to rent professional-looking office premises to run a business from. However, what happens when it’s an online business platform at stake?
Every day, website designers around the globe set out to create virtual platforms that attract and keep the attention of potential clients. What exactly is it that they do to make these websites useful? This article explores the top elements that make for effective web design.
#1: A Platform with A Layout That’s Easy on The Eye
The most crucial function of web design (or any other type of design, for that matter) is to create a visually appealing product. Keep this in mind, because traffic is more likely to convert into leads if website users like what they see. Also, make sure the design is simple and uncluttered so that navigation is easy for users.
#2: Consistency in Visuals, Copy, Throughout the Website
There must be a golden thread that runs through the website so that it tells a coherent story about the business. This message can be contained in the copy, images, graphics, and other content on each webpage.
#3: Attaching the Right Images to Communicate the Intended Message
Careful consideration must be paid when selecting images that go with the text, as every piece of communication – visual or otherwise – must be intentional. Quality stock images or brand-specific photoshoots work best.
#4: A Colour Scheme That Is Carefully Thought Out
Colour is a crucial aspect of visual communication. It’s essential to choose the right ones while putting together the graphics for a website.
#5: Navigation That Users Can Follow Naturally
The last thing you want is for your website’s users to be confused about where to go and what to do. Create a flow of content that makes sense, from information to action-based pages.
#6: The Most Important Information Comes First
Whatever you do, place the copy with the most crucial information at the top of the page. Users process information from the top-down and from left to right, so make sure you answer significant questions from the onset.
#7: Compatibility with A Variety of Devices
Last, but not least, make sure that the website will present beautifully from a smartphone to a laptop. If it means tweaking the design slightly from platform to platform, then so be it. Just focus on a consistently appealing and usable platform.
Every profession has its own rules, both written and unwritten. These are a few of our most important ones. Looking for great website designer and developer near you? Contact Big Rock Graphics today.
In an age where technology improves the lives of people all around the world, businesses can stand to similar benefit, with a little creativity and planning. Many are increasingly using it to advance the way business transactions are done, face to face.
The way we make purchases at our favourite restaurants and retail stores have improved over the years, and we now can complete purchases quicker and ever before. Savvy businesses are starting to realise that point-of-sale (POS) systems can be further enhanced to create an even speedier and more efficient shopping experience for customers.
How? Through video production services.
What Makes Video Production POS (Point-Of-Sale) Great?
Nobody likes to spend time in a queue, no matter how short it is. There isn’t much to see or do as you approach the POS area, which means that as a business owner this is valuable time and space being wasted – where a captive audience is all but guaranteed.
Enlisting video production services to create content that people can watch at this point is incredibly useful, for a variety of reasons:
It’s Novel – the modern consumer isn’t used to seeing adverts in a store – or any video content for that matter. This means they’re more likely to pay attention to the message being broadcast, as unlike watching TV or browsing YouTube, it can’t be skipped. According to research, over 70% of consumers surveyed cite the checkout process as instrumental in influencing how they view a store. Why not try improving this experience for them?
It Can Communicate Unique Concepts – some concepts are challenging to explain or demonstrate without video or are simply more effective with video. Think about a new stain remover product – will reading about it convince you to buy it, or will seeing before and after images of a shirt cleaned using it be more effective?
It’s Easy To Track – if you create video content to promote something specific, you can directly track its efficacy by broadcasting a special discount code on the product or service and tracking how often it’s used.
When it comes to creating POS videos, the sky is the limit as to what you can create.
Do you want to promote your CSI efforts? An upcoming event or anniversary? A seasonal sale?
For more information on how you can make your business grow, and provide better in-store services for your clients through video production, call Big Rock Graphics today.
When it comes to website design, the right colours, typography and spacing can communicate a concept or idea better than a thousand words can – if executed correctly and with a bigger picture in mind. It’s something that impacts how people view your brand and can encourage or discourage them from leaving their email address or buying something.
While the fundamentals of website design might change, its visual approach will evolve over time. After all, one only needs to look at a website from as little as ten years ago to see what an impact this can make. To keep your site from being seen as old and outdated, it helps to keep up with graphic design trends.
Here are a few that are worth implementing this 2019.
3D Design and Typography
The beauty of three-dimensional designs is that they add an incredible amount of depth, making the words or images being used seem like they’re leaping out towards you. Abstract compositions and shapes also work well here. #D typography can work with a variety of fonts, and Skinny, Bold, Consolas or Script fonts are well suited to be delivered in 3D.
For a simple but effective update, you could create a 3D version of your brand logo or mascot.
Asymmetrical Layouts
Grid-based designs are falling away as bespoke asymmetrical designs are becoming more popular. Using asymmetrical layouts, however, demands attention to detail. If done correctly it will grab the attention of anyone visiting your site as it creates visual tension and is something they wouldn’t be expecting to see.
Make sure that this approach carefully balances big, small, contrasting and neutral elements to prevent it from becoming an eyesore.
Art Deco
Modern isn’t always better, and Art Deco is an example of a style born decades ago that can still be used today. As certain brands realise they can capitalise on the potential of their classic or retro appeal, art deco has become a popular choice of style for website design. Think delicately lined artwork, metallic hues and aerodynamic curves.
These are just three possible design design trends that you could apply to your online presence. Of course, it will depend on your brand identity, target market and many other factors. Your best bet is to contact a professional design company like Big Rock Graphics. We’ll help you select and apply the most appropriate design trends to your website – for a cohesive finish that attracts the right kind of attention.
In the face of rising technological advancements and increasing busyness (in all areas of life) the dire need for simplicity, honesty and clarity has become paramount. The modern consumer does not have the time and space for clutter and complexity in visual communication such as branding styles and logo design.
We acknowledge the great strides made in exploring design elements and technology: filters, 3D-rendering and gradients but focus has returned to logo designs and branding that cut through the noise.
Despite the digitalised lifestyle that the modern consumer looks for, the return is set towards the natural with the buzzwords being ‘wellness’ and ‘wholeness’. This trend has changed the focus of branding and visual design to focus more on conveying honesty, transparency and ethical practices of business brands. This is all to visually answer the needs that consumers have, like what is the product made from and who makes the product (working conditions, manufacturing processes).
The following trends are wide-ranging as they have been used in industry sectors as diverse as food production to fashion to technology.
Minimalism for maximum effect More energy will be focused on the product and less on the packaging used. This is evident especially in branding food products where consumers today want information on the products they buy. Popular packing trends include the use of transparent food bottles and clearly defined lists of ingredients.
Replacing complexity with clarity Logo designs that feature simple clean lines and bold vibrant colour designs are highly preferable for their ability to promote clarity. One example is vector-shaped logos that are also more likely to appeal to younger consumers.
Prioritising function over form in visual design This trend brings into focus the need for visuals to convey simplicity and truth. Once again it is clean layouts that are simple and authentic and that maximise white space effectively.
Other trends set to impact the effect on how branding is conveyed through visual communication in 2017 include:
Documenting the modern determined woman
Candid relatable photos that portray raw emotion in telling a story
Bringing the 90s back to the 21st century
Take your branding to the next level in 2017. Big Rock Graphics have the specialist skills in graphic design, logo design and branding-related services to deliver superior quality solutions for all your print and multimedia requirements. We are locally based in Tweed Heads but provide unmatched quality branding solutions to clients worldwide.
