WebMastersLoom

Persons engaged in website design, here’s a scoop for you! Would you just like to know that by understanding the basics of cognitive psychology around color and patterns, we could further improve our Web design!

Designing a Web site does not only concentrate on making web pages of a certain site interesting and impressive. This skill and talent must also be used to ensure the user-friendliness of a certain site and must strive to reach the widest range of users possible.

So what’s this about psychology? It simply implies that by understanding the capabilities of the human eye, we can produce Website designs that are more user-friendly. Being user-friendly means that our website design will not only cater for normal sighted Internet users but also to those partially sighted, blind or estimated 8-10% of men with red-green colour blindness.

If you don’t know anything about vision and colorblindness and their reaction to various designs, then you must start learning now! ‘Normal’ vision is subject to huge variances. Even the size of elements will affect an individual user’s perception of colour. The colours and the intensity of shades you choose to use in your Website design will be discerned differently by every individual who visits your Website.

Inconsistencies in color patterns are affected by changes in the ambient lighting levels. It’s like changes in your hair color depending on the amount of lighting it was exposed. Some people even see blue colors in some objects like clothing wherein others do not perceive. These persons just happen to have more blue sensitive cones (photosensitive cells which convert light energy into nerve impulses) in their retina. They seem to view the world with ‘blue-tinted spectacles’. As a web desinger, you have to be aware that these conditions are the reasons why your perception of your Web design may be different to other people and certainly are not the same with everyone else’s.

The key aspect to contemplate to achieve accessibility, aside from impaired vision, is by being aware that your design might be manipulated by assistive technology. Screen readers or magnifiers are examples of this. They are software the physically disabled employ to enhance their experience of user interfaces. Some Web users can only read a certain combination such as yellow text on a black background, which allows no room for greyscale.

In order to have good legibility for users with certain visual difficulties and impairments, strong contrast can be a main ingredient in your design. Test the effectivity of this by manipulating screenshots of your design in a program like Adobe Photoshop. Try converting the image to greyscale then make the screenshot monochrome to see how it might be viewed using the most extreme visual manipulation — do this by increasing the contrast level to +100. This is a particularly useful approximation of difficulties colour blind users may experience in discerning one colour or shade from another.

You can start adjusting your color application now and keep in mind that your designs will not be considered impressive if few people could discern them. -30-

Since online articles can be an additional source of contract leads, it is important that you write them in such a way that they are “web friendly”-and thus more accessible to your readers. This is especially important for articles you published previously in magazines, journals or other print media. While long paragraphs are visually acceptable in print magazines, they are a bane to Web users.

Web users don’t read; they scan.

When you write for the web, you must first consider how people read on the web. A study by Jakob Nielsen, deemed the “guru of webpage usability” by The New York Times, found that only 16 percent of his test users actually read the copy they found online; 79 percent of them simply scanned it.

Given those numbers, web-content providers who truly want to get their information across to their readers must follow what has become the cardinal rule of web writing: Make it “scannable.” Web users, notorious for their impatience, don’t want to get bogged down in long blocks of text as they search for the information they need; instead, they want that information to jump out at them.

Keep it short and scannable.

There are a number of ways you can make your text easier to scan:

Use bulleted or numbered lists. Keep sentences and paragraphs short. Make sure all your writing has substance. Say it straight. Use subheadings. Use typeface variations.

Start with the conclusion.

Use your keywords.

To get visibility on the major search engines, your site must be able to be “indexed” by their robotic software. To do this, they must be able to compare the code, keywords & other Meta tags, and the actual written content of the site and reach a consistent conclusion regarding the context of your site. Other factors are important as well, but that is the most basic requirement. Use these guidelines for other online copy.

These guidelines hold true for all kinds of web copy, not just your online articles. Keep them in mind when creating content for your own websites or when contributing articles to other electronic media. The same things that encourage users to read your online articles will encourage them to read your other web copy.

Give Your Web Site The Verbal Advantage

Have you ever sat down to create that winning ad, publicity release or newsletter and couldn’t come up with the right words or phrases? You will never make your fortune until you cure this dialog dilemma. You must enlarge your powers of expression, acquire precision and persuasion. You need a powerhouse of color, flavor and tone to highlight your message. This applies to personal conversations, writing promotional material or creating a productive web site.

The Internet Is A Money Maker

In many ways the Web is the ultimate medium, but only for those who can deliver their message persuasively and convincingly. In the end it will be your site’s ability to create desire and compel action that will bring real wealth. Those not possessing the necessary verbal skills will experience perpetual disappointment. They can not create the success they desire, socially or financially.

Winning Words

How do you make your web site dazzle, charm and seduce? For your site to be truly distinctive and compelling it will rely on successful semantics. Words and phrases carefully selected, then orchestrated to create feeling, then desire, and finally “action.” In the end, the success of your site rests entirely on your visitor’s decision to purchase and do it “now.” Great graphics can’t get that decision. Dazzling colors will not. Only moving and inspiring words can accomplish that mission.

You may have magical powers when you are there in person…Think you can charm a dog off a meat wagon in person…Then on the other hand, perhaps not. In either case, your words and phrases must carry your message without benefit of your presence. You can’t rely on your great smile or your winning body language. Only the site’s words will tell the world who you are, what you do and what you stand for.

So, expand your inventory of words and phrases, and then choose them with precision. You will be amazed at the difference it will make.

There is a buzz in the online community about a technology that empowers the average computer user with the ability to create and maintain their very own web presence. In the past, individuals who took interest in having and operating their own websites were burdened with the task of learning HTML, DHTML, and other web-based technologies such as JavaScript and CSS. The only alternative to this was, unfortunately, to pocket the expenses and costs required to pay a web developer to build and maintain it for them.

This dilemma is one of the primary reasons that small to medium-sized businesses did not begin to emerge on the worldwide web for several years following the corporate dot-com rush. Many business owners were terrified at the thought of having to learn complicated programming languages and server languages in order to create ‘do it yourself’ websites. Fortunately, that was then and this is now!

Due to the evolving demand for businesses to have a presence on the web, a new application has emerged in order to help business owners and employees create and sustain a professional-looking site without the worries of coding and technical applications.

What do we call this innovative technology that lessens the gap between the IT professionals and ourselves? Content Management Systems (otherwise known as CMS). Simply put, Content Management Systems are applications that implement easy-to-use web-based tools in combination with a database and web templates in order to effortlessly construct, and update a website’s content. Hence the name, Content Management System. Content Management System applications are ideal for businesses and sites that require ongoing updates and additions.

The simplicity lies in the fact that through the utilization of the web-based tools, Content Management Systems completely separate the updating and creation of the site’s actual content from the site’s design and layout. Therefore allowing a person with no knowledge of HTML to go in and alter/add content to the site’s pages without making structural changes to the site’s design.

What are a few of the benefits associated with using a Content Management System over traditional web-design?

Well, to begin with, Content Management Systems are developed in a way so that even a novice user has the power to maintain and update the site. The content input/update areas are designed to offer a very user-friendly interface, appearing much like a common word processing application that so many of us are familiar with. This makes it possible for any person or staff involved in document creation to easily and efficiently maintain the content on the company’s website.

This brings us to yet another factor that makes Content Management Systems so helpful. Because more people have access to updating and maintaining the website, the information is generally much more accurate and recent. Updating older pages manually in order to keep them relevant to changing information cannot only be frustrating, but also repetitive and time consuming. In today’s competitive online market, up-to-date information is crucial to your business’s credibility and success.

Content Management System un-complicates this task by making global (site-wide) changes through the alteration of a single file. Because all of the site’s information is stored in a central location, when that information is altered, every page on that site which contains that specific info is updated immediately. Just like that! This allows the editors or the website’s author to write, edit, and publish information to the website without having to submit all of the material to the Webmaster. No inconsistencies, less proofreading—less work altogether.

Another tremendous advantage to using a Content Management System is link maintenance. Many times, even Webmasters make the mistake of deleting or moving content that is linked to multiple areas within a site. When this occurs, the links that are not removed then become broken links because the file to which they refer is either deleted or in another location and the reference is invalid. When a person using a Content Management System deletes or updates the location of a file, each of the links relative to that file are automatically updated, therefore eliminating any risk of orphaned links and that nasty little ‘page not found’ experience for the site’s visitors.

Overall, it is quite obvious that the implementation of a Content Management System is ideal for a wide variety of websites. From news sites to corporate sites— all the way to small business sites and personal web pages, using a Content Management System combines the convenience of ease of use along with the professionalism of clean web design and up-to-date material.

There are rules in catalog designs that should be followed. These rules are the foundation of what and what not to be done as you go about these prints. Like some rules, they can also be bended or broken depending upon the need and the process that it is being done. It is important therefore to know first why these rules are being done to be able to have a firm stand on why they should be broken. The main objective of rules is to give guidelines because these were effective ones for those who have been there already. Better to see if they will first before dumping them as ineffective.

Order forms are a must in catalogs. Before the internet became famous, mailing was the only option that people have for submitting their orders. The basic form used is the easy to fill type and with an attached envelope. This gives people a little convenience in the hassles of mailing order forms. With the development of other means of communication like fax machines and the internet, this mailing method is being reconsidered by the companies and businesses. There may still be others that do not have the convenience of modern technologies to work for them so it is better to think first before eliminating these order forms. Not using order forms can mean less expenses as the extra sheets and most especially the envelopes are the ones that make them that expensive. It is best to consider first the possibility that the readers may still have the need for these forms before totally eliminating them from the catalogs.

Consistent layouts work best. If you want to create a stable and effective image, then consistency is the key to that. This ways people would recognize the company instantly from the logos or designs that it uses. But if every layout and design remains the same, there is always the inclination for the readers to become bored with the same things that they see all the time. Adding creative and updating designs into these catalogs but not actually removing the essence that it consistently represents can do keep the peoples’ interest intact. Putting unexpected surprises once in a while also can lighten and keep the attention more.

These are just some rules in catalogs designs that are tried and tested but needed some twisting when the need calls for it. The focal point is to think what will work for the best first before trying anything.

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For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.losangelesprintingservice.com

Brochures are for displaying services. They are also for selling an idea or service. If these purposes are put into a list, then it would be endless. The numerous ways and intentions why people have and use brochures. No matter what the reason for these brochures, the main thing is that it should be kept readable, interesting and very functional in order to become effective. It should be able to get the peoples’ attention long enough for them to read what is inside, and remain useful for them to come back for more in the future.

How can you grab the attention of the readers with just these pieces of papers?

By making your brochures look professional not only in its appearance but also in the designs, the way it is written and printed. To make them appear this way, there are considerations to think about. What are these?

Doing it with questions. Nothing like a question with an impact to grab the attention of even those who may have just sneaked a peak unto these prints. With the right question, even those who do not have the initial intention of reading them may be too aroused with curiosity to see what it is about. And maybe to have the answer to the question that they saw. A style that works most of the time is asking a question not even related to what the brochure is about. Or asking the opposite of what the implication is about. Knowing the question that will work perfectly would mean perfect attention grabbing and perfect results in your favor.

Type matters. It is the thing that people will read in your brochures so typography should be thought of and done properly. You would not want your readers to judge you as an amateur from the way you have done your writing. Or giving them the impression that the services you offer may have that same careless and irresponsible quality. Writing out words that are seldom used or incomprehensive will not work either. Some may not be able to grasp what it is you are trying to say or may not have no idea whatsoever basing from the words that you are using. Just the basic understandable words that are also professional will do just fine.

Making brochures appear professional not only reflects back to you. It also implies the time and effort you spent on checking from the most important to the least important details. To sum it all up, these brochures should cater to the different kinds of people who might chance upon them and take interest.

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For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.digitalprintingcompany.com

When you encounter the term branding in printing, the logos, designs and styles that are inherent are the first things that come to mind. Branding, if you dig deeper are not just these things. A more concrete definition of branding is the response that people have when they think about your business or company. The response may be in terms of emotional or intellectual aspect, depending on how the readers perceive them. Both ways, branding is the strong and consistent message that you impart and get through to the people.

Why is branding so important? It brings customer loyalty. If they have used your services, they will remember you for sure the next time they might be in need of something. Also they will be able to tell friends about you. In some cases, the logos and designs that the company has are the ones that stick most in their minds. If they do not remember other facts about you, chances are they will remember the logo and maybe even the colors in your printing designs. Understanding the customer’s needs and issues should go hand and in hand with branding because this two works well together. One cannot always succeed without the other.

If branding in your business has already been established, it does not mean you can just leave it that way and relax. The brand that you have is also one part of your business therefore it should be maintained and updated often. As with the business itself, branding is also an ongoing process that should be reinforced if the business and booming and be exposed more in slower times. Wanting for your customers to retain a positive outlook about you is attained in branding. If your print job is losing the effectiveness your readers have gotten used to, they may also lose interest and think about using others for their needs. You would not want this to happen.

Building a strong and reliable branding for your printing materials can help your business or company more than you can imagine it could. Just think that it is not everyday people remembers and stays loyal to something. With the variety of other businesses available and easily accessible, staying loyal to one is getting more difficult to do. It is always best to maintain what you have started and continue it doing so for your customers.

Knowing what branding in your company’s printing materials is one guarantee that you can be sure to result in revenue. But first, think what you need to brand about and how to keep it unique and memorable enough.

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For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.colorprintingwholesale.com

Since most people and companies now are turning to computers and showing off their crafts online, the probability is that many others would want to have one for themselves. Having your own website adds to the guarantee that people will be likely to visit them and get information and idea from you. With the majority of sites having their own marketing and advertising strategy, the question remains on how to best make your site attract and maintain the attention of the readers. One way of doing this is by the way of graphic designs that you put into your site.

For the graphic designers who have gone to design schools to learn their expertise, there are still many things to learn on how to go about your designs. It is important to note that not all things that you need in your chosen filed is learned in school. Some things are best learned from outside of it or from the experience you will gain in the real world. If designers think about it, they are better off learning more than the basics from the ones who have been there and have done it.

In websites for example, if the school taught you to make the most remarkable and marvelous site you can to get peoples’ attention, the experienced tells you otherwise. The advice they would give you is for you to have a thorough understanding about what your site is about. You can go about this by reading through the printed materials that you have and taking in every aspect, detail and concept. Only then can you have a concrete and stable ground to make your graphic designs with. If you already have the main idea, then incorporate all the magnificent designs into this idea. Merge the two but not necessarily losing the idea altogether in the process of the designing. If you based the result from the readers, you will notice that even though they are prone to being initially interested by beautiful designs and gets into sites with loads of them, in the end, they would look for another site where their purpose would be served. The fact that when you see one design, you have seen them all is still very much the opinion of people even now.

There is also the possibility that Even if you are a graphic designer for websites, someone, someday will want you to do some print work maybe because of the way you handled the site or just to see if what you can do on websites you can also do in print.

For the graphic designers out there, learn not only from the school who have taught you what you want to know but from the real world which teaches you what you need to know.

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For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.ucreative.com

You have been in front of the computer trying to go over the details on your mind for a long time and yet not getting even one out. It seems that you have lots of ideas for a great graphic design but you do not know where to start. All of it is just in your head and you cannot get anything in concrete.

If you have known better, you would have guessed that you are having one of the cases of not having an exact idea of what you want to create for your design. In situations like this, it is better to just stop what you are thinking and trying to do. With all the ideas on your mind, it is obvious you do not have a definite one that will be the basis for the graphic design that you will do. Having load of idea is not a sin in graphic designing. It is always best to have more to get more results done. The thing is, one idea is enough for one design. From that one idea, note the many possibilities that you can make out of it and make it work for you.

Asking questions like; is this better than the rest or how will this work for the company or the person you are representing? Is the idea being clearly represented in one of the designs? These simple questions to begin with will be able to make all abstract thoughts that you have a concrete and strong foundation that you will be working on all throughout the designing.

The next thing to remember is to slow down. Take things at a time. There is no rush once your idea is there already. Just like all designs, the pictures you will create together with the colors that should be sued is the factors to consider first and foremost. If the client has already given a definite preference that you do not think will work, you can always improve it and make it work for you. That is your main purpose after all, to make something out of anything that looks to be ordinary and even hopeless. Being the great designer that you are, you are always open to ideas that does not always go with what you think. The test of being great starts from small and making impossible possible.

Make a guideline to follow as you go about your graphic design. This are meant to be followed but it does not mean they cannot be bended or twisted if the process calls for it.

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For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.uprinting.com

Whether a business has just got off the ground or has been established for years, start-up and long running companies are looking to the internet to expand their sales as well as service to customers. Many new websites are going up and with so many people opting to go with the cheapest route or the quickest design process, sometimes the quality of a website gets left behind. Lets face it, you wouldn’t want a possible client coming into your office, looking around at a mess, so why would you send them to your virtual office looking like one?

People very often go to a companies website to get more information, it is allot easier and more convenient then calling them or writing them a letter. The first thing they see when they go to their site(that is, the first thing that pops into their heads) is either “wow, these guys are professional, I want to deal with them” or “there site is awful, how can they act professional if they do not look professional”(well that may not be everyone’s exact words, but you see what I am getting at). We all think this when we visit a website, haven’t you ever felt a little bit easier or more relaxed when purchasing something off a site with a professional look? I bet you that if a site doesn’t look professional then you won’t even consider purchasing an item or using their service!

Another important aspect of a website is how long it takes to download. Allot of people say if it takes longer then 30 seconds to download then people will leave, this is true. I know that even on a DSL connection if a site is taking too long to download I will jump to another site. If your site doesn’t download in at least 30-60 seconds for all users(dial up taking a little longer), then you need to re-design your site.

Your site must not only look good and download quick, it must work good. There is nothing worse then visiting a website with pages that haven’t been created yet, script errors popping up and only half of the information seems to be there. This will definitely annoy anyone who is visiting your website, they probably won’t come back for a while, if at all.

Another important aspect of a good website is allowing visitors to contact you in one way or another. A simple email address or contact form on a contact us page will do wonders. People like to know they can get in touch with you with just a simple click of the mouse. Make sure that there is a link to your contact us page on every page, including in your main navigation. This will give users a feeling of being close to you, as they can contact you at any time.

Use these tips as well as your own common sense and you will be well on your way to having a great Looking, Working & Downloading Website!