This post will teach you how to level up your web design knowledge. Are you looking for methods to enhance your web design skills? We've compiled a list of 13 suggestions to assist you in your creative development.
Whether you're a novice Web Designer or have already established numerous sites, there is always room for growth. Here are 13 ideas for improving your abilities and increasing your design work.
1. Do not use hectic color schemes
When so many lovely tones and hues are available, it's easy to go overboard with color. Although many designers' styles rely on bright and prominent color palettes, when too many colors are crammed together, the visual confusion overwhelms the rest of the web design.
Stick to a straightforward color scheme and neutral background hues. A subdued background highlights instances of color — such as colors on call-to-action buttons, menu items, or other design components — and draws attention to them. A white, black, or neutral background is often all that's required.
To learn how to utilize color effectively in your web design, read up on color theory to make better selections.
2. Think about the added images
If you're looking for a cost-effective and straightforward method of using stock images, several fantastic alternatives are available. However, don't just throw them into your designs willy-nilly. Make sure to crop and modify the first. To make the pictures fit in with the harmony of a website design, use adjustments such as filters, saturation, warmth, contrast, and other picture editing techniques.
Finally, be sure that the photos you choose are appropriate for the material they appear. If an image does not seem to relate to the material used, you may need to locate one that better fits the subject. Be aware of the file types you're employing. Understand the distinction between JPEG and PNG file formats. The correct file types can significantly impact how quickly your site loads.
3. Use responsive design
Many different screen sizes are available. The user experience of your website must be consistent across all devices. Instead of investing a lot of time and effort into complicated animation and hover effects that may not work on all devices, it's more efficient to focus on improving the user experience.
Your website will be user-friendly and provide an optimized experience on both desktop and mobile devices following responsive design principles.
4. Consistently use typefaces
We want each page of a book to adhere to a logical sequence when we sit down to read it. The text will be the same size, have uniform spacing, and use the same recurring structure. This consistency helps us stay engaged as readers by allowing us to comfortably follow the progression of ideas across a book's pages.
Similarly, a web design's typography must feel order and consistent. The same font should be used for headings, body text, links, and other text on multiple website pages. Additionally, equal padding, line spacing, size, color, and weight should be maintained for all types of content.
We like creating a single style guide page for each website you build. It will ensure that typeface consistency is maintained across the whole web design.
5. Keep diversity and inclusion in mind
The majority of people who visit a website come from various socio-demographic categories, ethnicities, genders, abilities, and ages. Creating an inclusive user experience is essential for being a good web designer. When selecting photographs and character designs, be sure they represent people from various walks of life.
6. Define who you are as a designer
It's not unusual for designers to have diverse skills, including user experience and web programming. When working on projects, a web designer generally has one focal point.
However, because there are so many variables to consider, it's impossible to be an expert at everything. Designers must be passionate about what they're doing and interested in. Good designers know that focusing on specific areas and becoming experts in them helps distinguish their work and make it more appealing to potential customers.
Although many designers start their careers bouncing from one project to the next, identifying a specialty becomes more straightforward with time, growth, and reflection.
Begin by determining what kind of businesses or clients make you the happiest to work with. If you're a technology lover, look for SaaS firms, startups, and others in the digital world. Designing restaurant websites may be an excellent fit for a foodie.
Your artistic style should also be reflected in your professional identity. Have a distinct design voice that's all your own, whether you love precision-crafted minimalist designs or like pushing the limits with abstract and conceptually driven work.
It's also helpful to understand who you are as a designer before you begin looking for jobs and finding potential collaborators. It also allows potential clients to recognize your abilities right away by enabling you to create a focused LinkedIn profile and portfolio.
7. Mentor a designer
Becoming a mentor isn't only a way to give back and assist another designer; it can also help you better critique your work.
Being a mentor isn't only about passing on website design advice. It entails identifying a problem someone may be having and explaining why it isn't working and the steps they can take to solve it. Paying attention to someone else's work and using your analytical brain will help you evaluate your designs.
8. Write case studies
Case studies should be included in any web designer's portfolio website, but many neglects to make them. While they take some effort and time, case studies may help you out in various ways.
The value of case studies to a portfolio is immeasurable. Website users get to see your approach in action and learn more about whom you are as a designer after viewing your process through several cases.
Taking a granular look at your job as a web designer can help you better understand what you're doing well and where you may need to improve. Case studies are an excellent way to keep track of your development.
9. Understand the principles of web design
Knowing the basic ideas of design allows you to make informed judgments.
Learn about the foundations of UI, UX, typography, composition, and color theory. Understand visual hierarchy, the rudiments of Gestalt theory, and the golden ratio. Learn more cerebral aspects of design to apply them to your work.
Check out this post if you want to start learning about web design. Every designer should be familiar with at least ten ethical web design principles.
10. Ask for better feedback and critique on your work
It's nice to hear what you're doing well. However, you'll need helpful criticism to develop as a web designer.
It all starts with you. Tell people what sort of feedback you want. Offer them some context about the project, its aims, and any necessary background information. Give them all of the information they'll need to evaluate your work before beginning.
You may ask the individuals evaluating your web designs any of these questions:
- Is the material well organized to make reading it easier?
- Is there a logical relationship between the interface features?
- Is the visual hierarchy effective?
- What can be done to make the site more user-friendly?
- Is it devoid of crucial page components?
- Is this website responsive to the web design standards?
- Is this website able to keep visitors interested?
Don't just go to designers for criticism. Marketers, content writers, and even your friends and family can all provide valuable comments.
It's easy to get caught up in one's work and fall into a rut with design. Keep your ideas active by generating new web designs to avoid creative stasis.
Stay inspired
Check out the Awwwards, Behance, Dribbble, and the Webflow Showcase to see what's new. Take in all you can of your favorite web designers' social media posts.
12. Work on experimental web design projects
Why not try something different? Consider a problem and see if you can come up with anything new. Take a look at one of the existing websites and develop your boundary-pushing redesign. Every excellent designer understands that venturing outside of your comfort zone will force you to approach your design job differently.
Don't be scared to fail. The journey into uncharted design territory isn't always a pleasant one. The advantages of such private projects are that no one will ever see them even if you fail.
Bonus tip: Always keep learning
Because design is constantly changing, it's a never-ending adventure. There are new tools and approaches introduced all the time. What steps do you take to stay on top of things and enhance your abilities? Let us know what you're doing to keep on top of it in the comments below!
