Web Design

Source 1: https://ideas.msb.edu/blog/ricky-schramm/modern-web-design-more-about-consumers-and-less-about-conventions

Main Points

- Allow the user experience to guide all design, especially the site map

- Aesthetics are important for your brand and your business

- Surveys and beta testing are critical for eCommerce and multi-click web experiences

- Beauty lies in simplicity

Source 2: http://netaccountant.net/website-design-for-accountants/web-design-conventions/

Main Points

-Your logo should be at the top of the page… most likely on the left

-Your logo should link back to your homepage

-Links are underlined and in a different colour than the text

-Visited links are of a different colour than other links

-The navigation stands out and is consistent throughout the site

-Visitors can search your site

-Breadcrumbs are used somewhere near the top

-If something looks like a button, it should act like one

-Make form fields easily clickable

-Your website should be accessible with and without the www

Source 3: http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-design/current-style/

Main Points

-Simplicity and balance

-Centered Orientation

-Design the content, not the page

-Use 3-D effects sparingly

-Use soft neutral background colors

-Use strong colors sparingly

-Use cute icons sparingly

-Use plenty of whitespace

-Use large text

Source 4: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/03/23/best-practices-in-modern-web-design-the-ultimate-round-up/

Main Points

-Use hover effects

-Use lorem ipsum or other dummy text

-Use repetitive elements to make the web design more cohesive

-Make surte the purpose of your site is immediately apparent

-Optimize your page load times and make them as fast as possible

-Only be innovative when appropriate

Source 5: http://www.dailyblogtips.com/43-web-design-mistakes-you-should-avoid/

Main Points

- Do not use tiny fonts
- Do not use fancy, unreadable fonts
-Do not overuse flash
- Use text navigation
- Make sure your website is cross-browser compatible
- Do not use harsh colors
- Do not use popups
- Double check spelling and grammar

Favorite Sites:
Youtube.com
Facebook.com
Nastygal.com

All of these sites use muted colors, simple fonts, large text, and abundant white space. The don't over use flash player, involve pop-ups, or overuse cute icons. One Youtube, sometimes  audio plays upon entering the website; the website would be improved by making all audio user activated.

I like that my favorite websites are simple, organized and easily navigable.

Bad Websites:
http://art.yale.edu/
http://www2.warnerbros.com/spacejam/movie/jam.htm
http://www.www.blackbelttv.com/

Good Websites:
www.apple.com
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/default.aspx
http://www.walmart.com/