A web designer’s task is to create memorable and functional websites using their creative intuition. And, because to the strength of today’s software, we have all of the tools we need to make even the most fantastical concepts a reality.
However, becoming a web designer entails a great deal of responsibility. Brands trust us to build websites that help them make a positive first impression on users and enhance conversion rates. And, as a newbie, you’re bound to have a lot of them. You want to know, among other things, what aspects a site should have, how to create a pleasant user experience, which style is preferable, which features you should not miss, and which design tools to use. The critical position you play in the website creation process can leave you feeling anxious and unsure of how to best apply your skills to assist a company that has engaged you.
We’ll go over some of the most useful web design ideas for beginners in this article. Even if you have some prior web design knowledge, this guide may be useful if you ever get stuck. We’ll provide helpful tips to assist you to navigate the exciting world of web design and growing as a designer.
Inspire yourself by looking at the work of other designers.
When you’re just getting started in web design, it can be challenging to leap right into a project. Just thinking about all of the work ahead of you can be intimidating, and you may find yourself unsure of where to begin. We urge that you look into the work of other designers to help you get back into gear and be more productive. Of course, you won’t imitate their ideas, but they’re likely to spark your own. Consider what you enjoy about their work as you look through their portfolios. Do their projects express the values and messages that they are supposed to? Is there anything you’d do differently if you could? How about the hues? Do you believe they fit the site’s atmosphere and the brand’s personality? While contemplating all of this, your creative juices will undoubtedly flow, and you’ll be motivated to return to work on your own project.
Dribbble, Behance, Awwwards, and Land-book are some of the websites that have some of the most outstanding examples of online design. Explore them in depth to find eye-catching, high-quality information.
Selecting the Best Web Design Software
It’s difficult to know which tools to utilize to attain the desired result when you’re fresh to any sector of work. There is rarely an all-in-one solution in any field, and web design is no exception. There are a number of feature-rich software options available, but Photoshop is by far the most popular. We’ve included it because most creatives are already familiar with it and have used it before. If you’re beginning from scratch and have never used design software before, Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD are the best options. All three are better geared toward web design than Photoshop and will make your task a lot easier. You also don’t have to limit yourself to just one. To design distinctive and stunning websites, it’s sometimes ideal to integrate the functionality of different software tools.
Investigate the Various Types of Design
As a young designer, you may feel compelled to develop your own personal style. Something that will make you stand out from the crowd. However, you should be aware that developing a distinct visual style is not something that can be accomplished overnight. It’s pointless to torture yourself with that so early in your career (or ever, really). With time and effort, your style will develop naturally. And you should experiment with a variety of styles to figure out what you prefer and why. Depending on the project and the expectations of the brand we’re working with, our styles will undoubtedly alter. So, as you’re looking through other designers’ portfolios, make a list of the pieces you truly enjoy. Try to figure out what it is about them that drew your attention, why those particular projects appeal to you more visually than others, and work from there. Make it a priority to include the elements you enjoy into your own projects first, and then alter them to your liking. And if you ever feel that the style you’ve chosen isn’t exciting you anymore, switch it up! Never stop learning and experimenting, and don’t be hesitant to try new techniques and styles in your work.
Understand the Fundamentals of Web Design
It takes planning and study to create beautiful and functional designs. There are other considerations to make, including the target audience for your project. Alternatively, the color scheme that best suits the brand you’re working with. Layouts, responsive grids, typeface choices, interactivity, and graphics are all things to consider when working on a project. There are many resources on the internet that explain the fundamentals of web design, but we recommend beginning with Google’s Material Design. Despite the fact that this website is focused to Google’s own style, it provides a thorough outline of the elements you should keep in mind when designing. Webflow and Smashing Magazine are two more excellent resources. Make sure to read Vincent Xia’s and Erik D. Kennedy’s writings on the subject as well to ensure that your work is effective, intuitive, and satisfies the demands of your audience.
Take note of the typography.
Typography is more than just a means of conveying information. It’s one of the most crucial web design aspects that, in most situations, will have a significant impact on your total project. Typefaces can provide a range of distinct contexts to your design depending on their shape, size, color, and weight. You must verify that they all have the same vibe as the featured imagery and that they are appropriate for the website’s purpose. For example, if a website is focused to handcrafted, exquisite products, the typefaces used should reflect that. We’d suggest using no more than two or three different typefaces each project when deciding on the amount of various typefaces to employ. Pair your main font with simpler typefaces if it’s a handwritten one with a lot of curving serifs. Some font combinations work better than others, so experiment with a few different options until you discover the one that best suits your needs. Also, if you’re interested in learning more about typography, Toptal has a complete typography guide.
Maintain a simple and intuitive design.
You’ve probably come across some incredible designs while surfing the web and desired to create something similar. But, before you get started, keep in mind that not all attractive websites are well-designed. To give their project a wow-factor, many designers employ too many colors and insert irrelevant things on pages. However, such work isn’t always sufficient. No matter how engaging your content is, if users can’t browse a site easily and quickly locate what they’re looking for, they’ll go without converting.
The key is to begin small and work your way up to a sensual piece of art. Consider every component of your website and how visitors will interact with it. Always keep the KISS (“Keep it simple, stupid”) philosophy in mind when designing. At the end of the day, one of the most important design concepts is simplicity. It is characteristic of designs that make the most impression on users and get the highest conversion rates, therefore keep your work simple and free of unneeded complications.
Don’t second-guess yourself.
Simply begin developing once you’ve covered all of the fundamentals. As previously stated, you should experiment with different designs and look at the work of other designers until you find something you enjoy. You may even re-create some of your favorite projects. This is an excellent practice for novices because you already know how the final product should appear and it’s up to you to duplicate it. Of course, you shouldn’t claim credit for that job. This type of exercise is solely for the purpose of honing your talents. The more you work on these projects, the more confident you’ll become, and you’ll soon be able to create your own design from start.
Obtain feedback and apply what you’ve learned.
Receiving input from people whose opinions you respect can help you improve your job. You’ll be able to develop a better end result if you know how people feel about it and whether or not they find it straightforward and intuitive. Furthermore, constructive criticism can assist you in not just improving a product but also in growing as a designer. So don’t be hesitant to seek out the advice of others. Run your work by more experienced designers as well as regular audiences to receive professional feedback and a better understanding of how your idea will appeal to people. Don’t be discouraged if you receive some bad feedback. Use them as a guide to help you improve your talents and inspire you to produce even more engaging projects in the future. Fabricio Teixeira has written a fantastic post that will help you better comprehend and handle comments.
Never Give Up on Learning
Never stop learning. There are always methods to grow, new abilities to master, and techniques to uncover, no matter how much experience you have. Inspiring designers are all around you, as are innumerable web resources that cover a wide range of topics related to web design.
When it comes to blogs, Journey, InVision, and Dovetail are all well worth your time because they have a wealth of information and tips to help you improve as a designer.
In terms of books, UXPin has a selection of useful web design guides.
Have a good time
Always remember to have fun, no matter what project you’re working on. That way, you’ll always be motivated to try new things and push your own limits. Learning, like labor, can also be a lot of pleasure. There are websites that function like games that allow you to test and improve your eye for little details. Can’t Unsee and UX Academy are both amazing interactive resources that can help you improve your design abilities while also allowing you to see things in new ways.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve learned the fundamentals of good web design, it’s time to become creative. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different tools and styles, try out different techniques, play with elements, and modify their appearance as much as you like until you’re completely satisfied with the results.
Start small and work your way up until you’ve figured everything out. Never stop studying and working on enhancing your talents. Keep an open mind to constructive criticism; you’ll improve as a web designer as a result. Above all, have fun and begin designing exciting, practical, and simple-to-browse websites.