Great website designers have the discipline not to jump right into the shiny stuff. Focus on site structure and UX
(User Expereince) are their first thoughts and good planning leads to a brilliant web solution.
Organisation is key
Traditionally 'website' designers were associated with chaotic approaches to
coming up with the big idea. That may still be good in some instances and most
relevant for the branding, marketing or advertising industry, but the best UX + UI designers are organised.
This is often an overlooked trait, but it makes a massive difference when working on
complex web design projects.
The best designers:
- Use a logical structure of layers and precise layer names in the files
- Will not start a design without having a well defined wireframe, user experience and grid
- Understand the need for an organised file folder structure
- Are consistent with paddings and margins where relevant
- Have a good plan for components, image sizes and module sizes to reduce development time
Patience is a virtue
Great designers have the discipline not to jump right into the shiny stuff
The best designers:
- Draw up detailed User Experiences to really understand the steps people take through the experience
- Invest time in creating and developing wireframes that clearly communicate functionality, , structure content needs and hierarchy
- Really understand why these deliverables are important and are happy to take the time to educate people
Wider Knowledge
Web design is just about understanding typography and colour theory. The lines between design, business and technology have merged and the best website designers have gone through the experience of getting their hands dirty with business model canvases and at some point even
tried coding, although it is debatable whether designers should be investing their time into learning how to code.
The best designers:
- Spend time really understanding the needs of the business as well as their users or potential customers
- Constantly ask 'why?', to understand the full picture
- Have the experience of learning to understanding the business or brand's values
- Are able to lead through the creation of a business model canvas
- Understand when something needs to be done quickly, but also understand how to pitch 'the next iteration'
- 'Get' that websites and applications are evolving products and that investment budgets play a part in what can be achieved
- Understand the technology that empowers their designs allowing for a great experience
Empathy on all levels
Exceptional designers care deeply for the people that will interact with the
website and being supportive of their needs or intents. They also have a good sense
for when a need is just a 'confusion' best left unresolved.
The best designers:
- Empathise deeply with the users of the site
- Empathise with developers and content producers alike
- Realise quickly when an idea does not solve the problems of others and are just as quick to let go
- Understand the needs of others, but are also able to consult if those needs are not aligned with the best possible outcome
- Are understanding but also authoritative
- Do nothing, if it doesn't need anything
- But know when it's worth fighting the battle
Creativity at a higher level
Being creative is not just about coming up with new ideas of how things look
at interface level, it's also about coming up with ideas to solve problems
at any level.
The best web designers:
- Quickly grasp at what level ideation needs to happen and will come up with creative solutions at all levels
- Do not have a 'one-way only style' and are able re-invent their designs in any direction
- Can trigger both reactions:
"Ah yes I get it, it's like…"
or
"This is new and nothing like anything I've seen before, I really like the way…"
Good Consultants
Most outstanding designers are able to consult and are really good at selling
their design. Sometimes things proposed by non-designers are simply wrong and
the best designers know how to steer people into the right direction
The best website designers:
- Know why they have made the decision to design it 'that way' and constantly ask themselves 'why am I doing it like this'
- Are able to convince and win arguments when it's the right way to go
- Have good soft skills
- Are not afraid to challenge the most authoritative person in the room
Website design – a complex process
Website design is a complex and experienced process and if you want to understand how we, 5and3, go about designing website then please read our 'Website Design Process' article….
Website design process – Read now
Source: Richard Hamilton – gurucareers.com