How to think like a Web Designer

I have noticed over the years that when I start a new web design project I developed my own process. I imagine that most of the designers say the same thing. Sure we could all follow certain principles, but I found that usually think of three things:

1. The initial concept / creative idea

2. Usability

3. Design secondary, such as colors, images, etc.

I will open a new Photoshop document (usually to 1024 px size or greater, since most Internet browsers are at that resolution or higher) and basically just start placing elements on the page (logos, images, menu items, etc. ). This is what I like to call the phase of "collage". Often when I come back to this original concept that has not come to me yet, but even if I have a concept in mind, I like to try different positioning of the elements to see what works best. Often compared with interior design of a room - to move the furniture around to see what the best placement and "flow" is.

While I am creating and moving items around the page, I'm thinking of two things: how will this translate into an actual web page (for example, I can make 100% css, how do I "cut" the page, etc.) and how the site will be used both for visitors. From this point in a project that I have not studied or learned more details from the customer about their specific target. This is important information to know when building a site because a site aimed at children will be completely different from that of a site aimed at adults, and so on.

If a client does not have a specific color scheme in mind, I can try several different bases to see what works best. With color and images (pictures) to review the details of target audience once again as this plays an important role in how the project addresses the majority of visitors to the site.

Of course after the initial design is shown to the customer there are often cycles of changes and revisions to get that look "perfect." Here is where I combine my experience with the customer's wishes. A good designer will know, what I call "walk the line" and be able to explain to a customer a professional because of their ideas might not work or how to incorporate something the client wants and make it work in a drawing. Nobody likes to be told they have a horrible idea, but in general I like to steer well clear of things like flashing animated gif, or white text against a black background, and others in general no-no children.

This is a very simplified explanation of the thought process involved when he started designing a new website. Each project is unique and has worked as the design, you gain more experience on how to manage different projects and clients. Over time, it will develop its own process that works, but do not forget to integrate the basics (design principles) and consider the usability of your finished design .......