Visual Design
"Structuring the site on paper before starting visual design is a critical step toward effective presentation of content to your intended audience."
"Designers are not mindreaders or magicians. Good design is dependent on good site structure and a solid project definition."
Now it is time to let the designers be creative! Review the project brief, sitemap and wireframes with the designer(s), then give them free reign to brainstorm solutions and develop the different visual designs. The designer(s) should also review any branding guidelines as well as the technical requirements for screen resolution, browser compatibility, download time, web standards and accessibility.
At this point, the designer(s) has a clear idea of the purpose of the site, the content that will comprise the site, the site architecture and the elements that need to be on each page. Drawing on their knowledge of design principles ( balance, rhythm, proportion, dominence), design elements (point, line, shape, color, typography) and user centered design (usability), they can develop design options that meet the project goals.
A sample of the visual design tasks:
- 1st draft of visual designs for home page and one sub-page
- Client provides feedback on designs
- 2nd draft of visual designs for home page and one sub-page
- Client selects design and provides feedback
- 3rd draft of visual design for home page and all unique sub-pages
- Client provides feedback on design
- Final visual designs for home page and all unique sub-pages
- Client approval of final design
