Articlesfeatures

What is a web designer anyway?

As a web designer, I get all kinds of requests , for information other than web design, and as a web designer I’m not suppose to really to be able to do things outside of the web design area. I believe there are a few misconceptions about what exactly a web designer does. In this article I am going to nail down exactly what a web designer is and what they should be able to do. This article pertains to small business website designers and not to bigger businesses where they are looking for someone who specializes. First I’ll touch of the differences between a web designer and a web developer. A web designer is someone who creates the visual design and layout of a web page. A web developer is someone who does the behind-the-scenes programming of a website. For example a web developer creates the code for database websites.

Web designer’s definition:

They give business organizations a web presence by building them a website. Web designers are professionals who organize information, create page layouts, while communicating the business’s information/opinions in a website. Web designer’s create another medium for the business to expand into. Creating a website enables the business to attract new customers, showcase its services products, and to do business across countries (as opposed to one location).

What things do web designer’s do?

That’s a really good question. It is definitely hard to nail down what every designer must do in order to call themselves a web designer. A good web designer should be able to do both the design and the development, unfortunately for you the consumer it doesn’t always work that way.

Your web designer must be able to perform the following:

::Understand and keep current will all new emerging technology
:: Layout web pages with HTML, XHTML, XML , and other programming languages
:: Program HTML (hand code), JavaScript and CSS
:: Translate your ideas, needs and expectations into a web page.
:: Design navigation elements (such as navigation bars)
::Create graphics in Photoshop or any other professional imaging software
:: Effectively participate in a web development team
:: Have an understanding on how to create Flash (authoring software used to create animation programs)
:: Understand and implement web standards
:: Have an understanding of Search Engine Optimization
:: Have a basic understanding of typography, graphics and color theory
:: Understand needs of users and of usability testing
:: Have ability to analyze a target market
:: Understanding of cross browser problems and how to fix them

A great web designer also has knowledge of coding languages such as:

:: C++
:: Python
:: Java
:: JavaScript
:: Cold fusion
:: SQL
:: PHP

Sometimes it might be difficult for a web designer to have all those different programming languages under their belt. It is like knowing English, French, Chinese and German. Quite complicated. The more languages they know the better. Well that should help you on your search for a good web designer!

• Leave a comment... (0)

Why website templates make being a Webmaster more efficient

The acceptance of website templates as an alternative to website designing can be attributed to the ability of templates in improving the work efficiency of the webmaster. Of course, they also reduce the costs involved in setting up a website.

Website templates have evolved over the years from simple HTML web page templates to the Flash template designs that allow for dynamic and customized websites. Getting a website designed from scratch is an expensive and time-consuming process. Moreover, it is not easy to get the right web designer, very often projects get delayed because of difference in opinion between the web designer and the webmaster and delay usually implies escalating costs. Website templates help to solve this problem by offering a selection of web page designs at a fraction of the cost of a professionally designed web page.

Multimedia Flash and other professionally designed templates enable webmasters to select from millions of permutations and combinations without having to approach a web designer. Inexperienced webmasters benefit more from using website templates as it frees their time and allows them to concentrate on other issues regarding the development of their website. There are many websites that offer templates that can easily be customized to a webmaster

• Leave a comment... (0)

Writing Effective ALT Text For Images

Anyone who knows anything about web accessibility knows that images need alternative, or ALT, text assigned to them. This is because screen readers can’t understand images, but rather read aloud the alternative text assigned to them. In Internet Explorer we can see this ALT text, simply by mousing over the image and looking at the yellow tooltip that appears. Other browsers (correctly) don’t do this. The HTML for inserting ALT text is:

But surely there can’t be a skill to writing ALT text for images? You just pop a description in there and you’re good to go, right? Well, kind of. Sure, it’s not rocket science, but there are a few guidelines you need to follow…

Spacer images and missing ALT text

Spacer images should always be assigned null ALT text, or alt=”" . This way most screen readers will completely ignore the image and won’t even announce its presence. Spacer images are invisible images that pretty most websites use. The purpose of them is, as the name suggests, to create space on the page. Sometimes it’s not possible to create the visual display you need, so you can stick an image in (specifying its height and width) and voli

• Leave a comment... (0)

Why and How to Use Templates Effectively

In desktop publishing, templates are pre-designed documents that we can use to create business cards, brochures, greeting cards, or other desktop documents. Some types of templates include:
Mix and match elements using a Wizard or by choosing items from a list that the software assembles into our final product.

Pre-designed formats for documents where all we add are our own words in place of dummy or placeholder text. Graphics and typestyles are part of the template.

Pre-designed formats for documents that have placeholders (grid lines, boxes, dummy text) for key elements, text and graphics. We add our own text and graphics and choose the appropriate typefaces.
Many programs include their own set of designer templates for a variety of documents.

You can also design and save your own templates. Let’s look at some of the ways that templates can work for you.

* Pros & Cons of Using Templates

You might have heard (or even thought it yourself) “Real designers don’t use templates” or, “Templates are a substitute for real design.” But there are times when using one is the most appropriate choice. Some times and ways that templates can work for you:

- Save time with templates.

- Offer your client a less expensive alternative to your original, made completely from scratch designs.

- Use templates for routine forms for your own use (invoices, etc.) so you can spend more time on client work.

- Maintain consistency with newsletters or between related marketing pieces.

- If you’re a non-designer, use templates to give a more professional edge to your own marketing materials.

- Build your first Web page with templates until you become more comfortable with Web publishing.

- Maintain page-to-page consistency in a large Web site and simplify updates.

Remember, in many cases templates are designed by well-known designers. We often look at the work of others for inspiration, using templates is simply another way of borrowing from the talents of those around us. Starting with a template is a smart idea. However, there are still many ways to personalize them without sacrificing the benefits of speed, variety, and consistency.

* Tips for Using and Personalizing Templates

- Use some of these suggestions to make the most of the templates you use:

- Choose an Appropriate Template. Pick a template layout that is appropriate to the job. Selecting a design that is inappropriate or that requires too many alterations defeats the purpose of using a template in the first place.

- Change the Template Graphics. Add your own clip art and graphics in place of any pre-selected graphics used in the template. Graphics also include rules (lines). Change the size or placement to better fit your own text.

- Change the Template Fonts. Some templates come with font specifications. They are just suggestions. Be sure to choose a typeface that is appropriate to the design of the template. Some layouts and some typefaces have their own casual or formal tone. It’s usually best to stay close to the type choices (if any) used in the original template if you’re unsure.

- Change the Text Formating. Change the leading or alignment of the text. Add text embellishments such as initial caps or bullet lists.

- Change the Template Color Scheme & Paper. The layout is only one part of the overall design. Simply changing the paper or changing the colors used in your document can cause dramatic changes - even when the layout stays the same.

- Change the Template Layout. While one of the main reasons to use a template is to have an instant layout, a few simple changes can make that layout perfect. Flip the template or just move an element or two around.

- Save Your Modified or New Template. Whether it’s a modified template design or one you’ve created from scratch - save it as a template. If it’s right for one job, it may be right for another. If it is a newsletter or one of many pieces in a coordinated marketing package, you save yourself time down the line.

- Use Templates for Inspiration. Ever found yourself staring at a blank piece of paper or a blank screen, unsure of where to begin? Use templates as a starting point. Just browsing through the various templates - even ones unrelated to your current design project - can give you ideas and start you on the road to laying out your own original masterpiece.

Author Bio:

Download 5000+ Templates!

High Quality Website Templates Starting at $4.95!

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

• Leave a comment... (0)