Users' Goals

Once you've got a statement of purpose you're halfway to being ready to design. The next step is to understand who'll be looking at the page, and why.

Hunt, Ben. Web Design From Scratch (2005). Design>Web Design>User Centered Design>Usability

Web 2.0 How-To Design Style Guide

Describe various common graphic design elements in modern web ('2.0') design style. Then explains why they work (i.e. why they have become common), as well as how, when and where you might use each element in your designs.

Hunt, Ben. Web Design From Scratch (2006). Design>Web Design

Web Sites and Buildings

A good way to get insight into the complexity of web design is to compare it to more familiar design disciplines. Like web sites, buildings are designed to support a wide range of experiences, which involves design from the high-level architecture to signage and interior furnishings.

Hunt, Ben. Web Design From Scratch (2005). Design>Web Design>Information Design

Why Most Web Sites Suck

We don't have bad web because it's difficult to create effective web sites, but because the people who make them are not properly equipped. Most people making web sites today simply don't know the essentials of design and how to apply them to the web.

Hunt, Ben. Web Design From Scratch (2005). Design>Web Design>Quality

Work Smart, Not Clever

As a general rule, designers and developers should avoid trying to be clever, and should concentrate on working smart.

Hunt, Ben. Web Design From Scratch (2006). Design>Web Design>Project Management

Your Goal

You are on this web site because you have a goal. You may be in the process of designing or updating a web site. You may be developing your professional skills. Either way, there is some state that you wish to reach.

Hunt, Ben. Web Design From Scratch (2005). Design>Web Design>Planning

Your Site's Goals

If you already have a web site, or you have a site project in mind, what needs does it fulfil? How many different needs are there? How strong are they? Your job as a web site designer is to craft a solution that meets all the most important needs.

Hunt, Ben. Web Design From Scratch (2005). Design>Web Design>Planning>User Centered Design

Your Site's Goals

Of course, the ideal solution is a win-win, where you achieve your goal at the same time as enabling your visitors to reach theirs. This section of the site introduces some tools to help find win-win situations.

Hunt, Ben. Web Design From Scratch (2005). Design>Web Design>Planning>User Centered Design

The Sphere of Design

The web design community thankfully seems to be wrapping up the "design vs. usability" argument. In case you missed it, the conclusion was: "Not either/or but both, and it depends."

Hunt, Ben. Web Design From Scratch (2006). Articles>Web Design>Graphic Design>Usability