Design


20
Jan 12

Building a website in 2012?

If you are planning on developing a new website, here as some concepts (some old, some new) on how to go at it:

- Think responsively – Even if you’re not implementing a full responsive design, simply thinking in responsive terms goes a long way to achieving usable universal design.
- Think touch-first – A button sized for a fingertip will always work for a mouse cursor. But a button sized for a mouse cursor will often be too small for a fingertip. Designing for touch first ensures that your website or application translates well to other contexts.
- Think universally – "Test early, test often” the saying goes. In your design process, think early and often about how your design will function on various devices.
- Think mobile-first – Starting your design with mobile focuses you on what really matters to your users. By maintaining focus on the essential features, achieving a consistent experience across devices will be much easier.
- Be careful with interaction behavior that is not supported universally across interfaces. Hover states don’t function the same on touch devices. Touch gestures can’t be performed with a mouse. It doesn’t mean we can’t use these things, but we have to be aware of their limitations.
Full article: Designing The Well-Tempered Web by Rob Flaherty at Smashing Magazine http://bit.ly/y4w9M5

See also mediqueri.es http://bit.ly/xHP8oe an excellent directory of responsive-designed sites.


14
Jan 12

Advancing the HTML experience

www.mycookingdiary.com by +Mike Matas is great example of what you can do (and how to do it properly) with #HTML and #CSS today:
- A continuous user experience using AJAX to keep the user engaged. However, each "slide" has it's own URL. This means you can bookmark it, share it, etc.
- Animation – but on user action: Yes, animations can liven up a site. But it should be controllable by the user otherwise they end up being irritating. The user needs to feel he is in control of his experience of your site
- Flexible layout: the site looks great at 800px as well as 1200px
- CSS effects to enhance the visual result: #CSS3 blur is here used to bring the attention to the main content area not as a gimmick
- Keyboard navigation: a small issue for some but shows attention to detail and professionalism

Do you have any more example sites along these lines?


8
Jan 12

Searching for a font, Part II

After my first attempt, I thought it was time for a small visual update on the site.

The previous choice: Ubuntu

The alternative: Adelle Bold by TypeTogether (you can get the font via Font Squirrel)

Current choice: Franchise Bold by Derek Weathersbee (free download, donations accepted)

The last choice also lead to some minor layout changes to fit the sharing buttons better and give more space to the main content area. Runner-ups (also free downloads, considered but not tried): Luxi Sans and Hattori Hanzo.

Your thoughts? :)


30
Dec 11

LEGO 404 page

Very nice #404 image by LEGO :)
(via +Sebastian Schmidt)

I think I'll start a collection! What's your favorite 404 page?

Reshared post from +Daniel Waisberg

Greatest 404 page I have ever seen!
Had to be from LEGO…


29
Dec 11

How to build a brand identity

Excellent comment by #xkcd :)


28
Dec 11

Introducing… the MacPhone in 1984

Follow the link to see concept work done by Hartmut Esslinger, designer of the Apple IIc. Among them, a design for a future (for 1984) phone in co-operation with AT&T.

http://fudder.de/artikel/2007/07/17/origin-of-the-iphone/artikel/

[Update] see also: Appledesign: The Work of the Apple Industrial Design Group
http://www.amazon.com/Appledesign-Apple-Industrial-Design-Group/dp/1888001259
(thanks +Charis Tsevis)
[Update] the book mentioned above is rare to find (Amazon sells it used for $500), but here is an excellent source on the issue with information and photos copied from the book http://liquidpubs.com/blog/2010/11/08/apple-their-tablet-computer-history/


26
Dec 11

Starbucks, best identity of 2011

Underconsideration/Brand New declared the evolutionary change of Starbucks as the best identity in 2011. I tend to agree although I could have also gone for Voices of Youth.

http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/the_best_and_worst_identities_of_2011_part_ii_the_best.php


14
Dec 11

Some very nice designs!

Some very nice designs!

Embedded Link

Getting Festive: Free Holiday Card Giveaway From 99designs » News » Design Festival
Have you or your business sent out your Holiday or Christmas cards for the year yet?? 99designs asked their amazing


29
Nov 11

Illustrations is a great way to make your site stand-out

(if the concept can match your site's subject of course)

Embedded Link

10 beautiful examples of illustration on the web | Feature | .net magazine
As more and more graphic designers and illustrators gain web design skills, illustrations can increasingly be found on the web. UK designer Mike Kus showcases his 10 favourite examples of websites usi…


21
Nov 11

Some excellent concepts on designing a blog

Obviously many (like considering who your audience is, how your page will be used, paying attention to details, etc) also apply to designing any site.
#blogging #design

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7 Blog Design Tips from a Content Strategist
When designing a weblog, it's imperative to make sure the content is at the forefront. These sets of tips are from a content strategist.