What Makes a Web Design Truly Great: A quick intro to some expert Web design Techniques

Benny October 30, 2023 0 comments

Expert Web design Techniques – A short intro

While many web designers can create good designs, it’s the intricate details that elevate a project from good to great. This blog is a quick intro that aims to explore these often-overlooked expert web design techniques.

Prioritize Load Speed, but Not at the Expense of Aesthetics

One of the first impressions of any website is its load speed. According to various studies, users tend to abandon pages that take more than 3 seconds to load. But that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on visuals to achieve expert web design techniques. Utilize lazy loading, asynchronous script loading, and optimized images to maintain an elegant design while ensuring speedy page loads.

Craft the Microinteractions

Microinteractions are the small but significant aspects that enhance the user experience. These expert web design techniques guide user behavior and can elevate the UX to new heights. A satisfying “click” sound of a button or a subtle color change on hover can engage users and make your interface feel responsive and alive. Think of microinteractions as the seasoning to a well-cooked meal; they’re small but bring out the best flavors. They create an emotional connection with the user, making the interface feel alive and responsive

Embrace Asymmetrical Layouts

While symmetry often feels safe, it can also be repetitive. Asymmetrical layouts can offer a fresh perspective, guiding the user’s attention to essential parts of the site. This is one of those expert web design techniques that lends freedom for experimental design, balanced with alignment to prevent disorganization. We know, Symmetry is often the go-to choice for web designs, but asymmetry can provide dynamic, compelling visual interest. This design strategy can help to draw the user’s attention to critical aspects of the site, like CTAs or featured content. However, Asymmetry provides freedom for experimental design but should be balanced with some form of alignment or structure to prevent disorganization.

Leverage the Z-Pattern and F-Pattern

The Z-Pattern and F-Pattern are scanning patterns based on how users read and interact with a website. Employing these expert web design techniques can significantly enhance user engagement. The Z-Pattern is effective for landing pages, guiding the visitor’s eyes from headline to CTA. In contrast, the F-Pattern works well for content-heavy pages, leading users through headlines, subheadings, and text naturally.

Implement Dark Mode

Dark Mode serves dual purposes: it’s both aesthetically pleasing and functional. It reduces eye strain in low-light conditions and conserves battery on OLED screens. You can also use it as an opportunity to play with contrasting color schemes, adding another layer of design sophistication.

Pay Attention to Typography

Typography can make or break your  web design. Different typefaces elicit different emotional responses; for example, Serif fonts often evoke a sense of tradition, while Sans Serif fonts feel modern. The appropriate use of font weight, letter spacing, and line height can significantly improve readability and UX.

Experiment with 3D Elements

Adding 3D elements can transform the user experience, making it more interactive and engaging. Whether it’s a 3D product view that allows the user to inspect a product from various angles or parallax scrolling that offers depth, 3D elements can make a website stand out.

Stay Updated but Maintain Longevity

Design trends come and go, but great design withstands the test of time. Keep yourself updated with the latest design innovations, but also focus on elements that offer a timeless appeal. Your design should not just be a passing trend but a lasting experience for the user.

Conclusion

The road from good to great in web design is filled with tiny details that make a significant impact. By incorporating these advanced techniques, even seasoned web designers can learn to create designs that are not just visually stunning, but also highly functional and user-friendly. We have given a list of links, some of them are great places to spend hours of learning further.

Further Reading (Bibliography)

1. Load Speed Optimization
   • Web Performance Optimization Stats by Google Developers
   • Improving Website Speed by Smashing Magazine
2. Microinteractions
   • Microinteractions: Designing with Details by Dan Saffer
   • Crafting Microinteractions by A List Apart
3. Asymmetrical Layouts
   • The Art of Asymmetry by Creative Bloq
   • Why Asymmetry is a Powerful Design Tool by UX Design.cc
4. Z-Pattern and F-Pattern
   • F-Shaped Pattern for Reading Web Content by Nielsen Norman Group
   • Scanning Patterns on the Web by UX Design.cc
5. Dark Mode
   • The Ultimate Guide to Dark Mode by Toptal
   • Dark Mode Design Considerations by UX Design.cc
6. Typography
   • The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst
   • Web Typography Best Practices by Typography.com
7. 3D Elements
   • Web Design with 3D Elements by Tuts+
   • Incorporating 3D Elements in Your Designs by Behance
8. Longevity in Design
   • Timeless Design by 99designs
   • The Longevity of Visual Design by InVision