5 Design Secrets For A Better Web Experience

There are many web design how-tos and showcases around the web these days covering everything from coding to design. Of the design ones out there, not too many focus on how to make a design stand out from the crowd in subtle and tasteful ways. Here’s a short list of a few of the design secrets I carry in my arsenal.

1. Embellishments
Embellishments are the little gems that make a design look fantastic. They are the little things that show that you care about the design, and they are usually the little things that people love about the design that they didn’t even realize was the reason that they do. One place you might notice an embellishment that enhances the design is when such is used as a decorative mark or a custom logotype in areas such as error messages and success messages on forms.

2. Information Design
One thing that is a personal passion and really makes a page flow and look great is by taking notice of the information design. Looking at how the information relates to one another, and finding the right style and styling of that information to convey the information in order of importance and relevance.

3. Good Typography
This one may seem like a given, but using good typography can make a design. I tend to like putting serif with san serif, and my secret weapon is to take advantage of the leading (line-height) by opening it up and letting it breathe a little. Strong typography can carry a design alone, and when mixed with other design elements, makes for some great design.

4. Charts and Lists
Taking special care when designing charts and lists involves more that just slapping a graphic or standard UL up there. Think about how to best present the information, and how to organize it in a way that’s appealing and useful. There are lots of ways to style or design a chart or list, but keeping a consistent feel throughout the site and designs helps tie them all together.

5. Lines
The use of line work on the web can be beautiful. There are quite a few line styles that I use which tend to look fantastic depending on the application. Finding the right line type to go with a design is as easy as repeating design elements. Try using lines that are lighter in color as more of an accent as opposed to using dark, bright lines that draw focus to them. Good line work can often add a feeling of elegance to a design.