A successfully created Web Design for use on the internet is a WORK OF ART and can be frustrating and at times evolving into a life of it's own. 'Tis better to have a plan - a blueprint - before ever starting and sticking to that blueprint .... otherwise the creator runs the risk of rethinking his creation while in the process of producing the Design. This leads to over-thinking the project and causes delays in completion due to starting over... and over... and over.... I have been known to be guilty of this time-wasting practice but I have developed a procedure that allows me to avoid this major PITFALL of all graphic designers! Hopefully sharing this technique will assist you so that your valuable time and energy spent may be more productive and profitable.
The very first step you must take is to be absolutely clear as to what your customer desires in a design! This involves communicating with that customer CLEARLY what you need to know before you begin. I use a list of basic questions that I pose to all my customers.
Web Design ...
1.** what the customer's idea is for the design?
2.be used as a LOGO? (reflective of business or personal site)
3.be used as a BACKGROUND? (static or automated)
4.preferred size, shape and colors?
**Some customers will not have any input here but allow the designer total freedom of creating the design.
After you have established your customer needs and desires - spend some quiet time THINKING about the design. This is the MOST IMPORTANT time of the whole project! Get a firm idea of what it is you are trying to accomplish in the design. Sketch it on paper - try doodling with it. Try different shapes and sizes and colors (where applicable). Once your sketching and doodling has developed into what you feel is a good idea - stop and put it away. Go do something else for a while. Let it sit. For an hour, a day, or however long it may be.
When you return to your design ... if you still think it's a good solid workable idea... then proceed to attempt to produce it on whatever graphic design or art program you are using. If it fails to still meet your standards ... do some remodeling of it till you are satisfied. Repeat as necessary.
The SECOND MOST IMPORTANT is to schedule your time for working on the design. Set aside a certain amount of time to be spent per session. Whether it is an hour or two or even three - the time actually depends on the designer - set a time and stick to it! Put it away and work on something else. DO NOT OVER THINK YOUR WORK! The reason for this is because everyone reaches a point of mental fatigue causing your creative powers begin to wane which leads to mistakes and doubting the direction your project is going. Doubting leads to starting over. Creativity can not be rushed or forced. Only when the designer is at their best can they produce the high quality work that all customers demand and deserve.
Would you yourself not demand anything less? I think not. I know I wouldn't. As we all know - a designer's, like an artist's - reputation (or lack thereof) is built upon the quality of the work they produce. Customer satisfaction is of the utmost importance!
