Working as a web designer is a rapidly evolving profession; being a great one means keeping up with the latest technology and trends without forgetting the fundamentals. learning how to balance new and exciting bits of information with the age-old principles of design takes time and practise, but it’s what ultimately determines great work.
Get on the grid
Setting up a baseline grid may not be as easy to accomplish as it is in print, but extra effort really shows your attention to detail.
Tip – To maintain a consistent rhythm set the background of the page as a repeating image with a solid pixel on the bottom. The height of this image should be equal to the line-height of your text, which will enable you to see the baseline grid
Contrast is key
The legibility of your design is what will determine its success and , because no two monitors ever look alike, contrast is the only way to ensure it. This is crucial when considering type, as it must have ample contrast in relation to its background to ensure a positive user experience for all visitors.
Tip – Take a screen shot of the website, then convert it to greyscale to double-check the contrast of your website.
Add natural depth
Paying close attention to the small details can really set your work apart. Trying setting small one-pixel borders around elements with CSS or using subtle gradients to add depth. Light textures can be used to enhance this effect and make your designs appear natural. These techniques help avoid the flatness often associated with plain HTML, but remember that less is more – using too many can make a page look over done.
Typography still rules
Because the web is comprised mostly of text, well handled typography is extremely important. While web typography my not have been very interesting just a couple of years ago, it’s getting more advanced everyday. Using intelligently selected font stacks in your CSS, and tools such as sIFR and Cufon, we’re even able to use typefaces other than the core set of ‘web safe’ fonts (Arial, Verdana, Times, and Georgia).