| Design Philosophy
At LukeW Interface Designs, we believe Web applications and Web sites
should be usable, valuable, and yes, even likeable. We rely on our tried-and-true
design philosophy to make certain all our interface designs meet the
needs of our clients and their customers.
Know the Customer
The Web is a means to communicate, and whenever you're communicating,
you need to know what you're saying, to whom, and how. Because the majority
of design decisions should be based on your customers' goals and expectations,
answering these questions up front provides an effective means for keeping
a Web project on track and helps establishes the tone, personality,
and attitude of a Web application or Web site.
What are the demographics of the people we're trying to reach? What
are their objectives? How well do they know our client's firm? How experienced
are they with the Web? The answer to these types of questions and more
helps determine the content and interactions needed within a Web application
or Web site. More importantly, it helps determine what is not needed.
For more information, read LukeW's article on Understanding
Your Web Audience.
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Keep it Simple
In order for a Web site to be "usable", it must be understandable.
It needs to communicate, and communicate effectively. Today's Web sites
are full of choices and possibilities. If not properly designed, these
options add clutter and force us to relearn each time we visit a new
site.
Simplicity in Web interface designs comes in large part from the proper
use of visual communication principles (visual organization and look
& feel). Visual principles communicate concepts to your customers:
concepts about the behavior, structure, and purpose of a Web site. The
better at communicating we are, the easier it is for our customers to
understand our messages and intentions, and the easier it is for them
to use and appreciate our Web applications and Web sites.
For more information, read LukeW's article on the
Pursuit of Interface Design Simplicity.
For more information on visual communication principles, read LukeW's
article on Visible
Narratives: Understanding Visual Organization.
Create Personality
Our most memorable experiences are those we can not only see and hear,
but also feel. Building such experiences on the Web requires an understanding
of how the interface design of a Web application or Web site establishes
its personality.
All communication between people is filtered through their personalities.
Your personality determines how you react and how others react to you.
It's the part of you that makes you a unique individual and sets you
apart from others. As a result, it is also how people remember and define
you.
The combination of a site's organization, interaction, and visual presentation
creates and supports the personality of a Web site. Everything from
the tone in which the content is written to the labels on the navigation
menus contributes to the personality of a site. Making sure that you
have a consistent and clear point of view throughout your site allows
you to build cohesive experiences for your customers instead of just
a set of interconnected Web pages.
An appropriate and evocative personality not only tells the right story
to your audience, but it also provides distinction, appeal, and wholeness
to your site. If properly applied, these characteristics create meaningful
and engaging communication that make visiting your Web application or
Web site an enjoyable and satisfying experience. It is these kinds of
experiences that your customers attach to and want to repeat.
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