05/02/2012

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Now you see it, now you don’t. Google, usability and minimalism

09/12/2009 By admin

By now most of you probably noticed a major change on Googles home page. Basically, until you interact with the page it shows you only its basic elements, a search field and submit buttons. And only if you do something there it shows the rest: your account, access to gmail, docs and other links on top of the page.

I am still trying to make up my mind whether I like this approach. The minimalist in me (yes, I am one) is delighted. I love seeing only what I need at the very moment and not be distracted by anything else. Also, I don’t think it has many SEO implications whatsoever.
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Filed Under: general web design

The most important thing you should do when meeting a client for the first time

04/12/2009 By admin

Shut up and let your client speak.

It is a natural instinct that tells us: talking about yourself shows how professional you are. Especially talking about how you know and understand technology, internet, social networking, insert your favorite latest internet sensation here. In reality, nothing is further from the truth. The only thing your prospect wants to find out is whether you understand his needs. And unless you convince him of that your fate is doomed.

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Filed Under: dealing with clients, general web design

What are your responsibilities as a web guru and why you might not like them

02/10/2009 By admin

Your job is much more than creating graphics.
And no matter how much you might not like that, there is much more to it.

I always get surprised looks from students of our workshops when I mention this.
But the truth is that design in itself is only a part of the process. In fact it’s not even the first thing you should be taking care in the project.

It’s hard to realize that sometimes. And thus the surprised looks. Nonetheless when you do you immediately start noticing how many more items you have to take care of. How many only design-related decisions you have to make.

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Filed Under: general web design

7+ things you need to master to call yourself a professional web designer

24/07/2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Have you heard of that brochure by a Dutch studio, The Stone Twins which entire print run was taken to Dutch Army and soldiers fired bullets through each of copies printed? Amazing idea isn’t it?

I love such stories behind print artworks. They are retold, they inspire and very often they live longer than the piece itself.  And they are fun to listen, at least to designers anyway.

But what do you hear when it comes to the web though? There aren’t many stories about websites. Not as exciting anyway. On one end there’s the technology, the boring bit. On the other, there are numbers, statistics. Metrics that prove whether the layout you designed was successful or not and whether the site brought any more business to your client. Or was it just another website on the net that simply was just there?

And the only stories you commonly hear are those about websites that failed. Sites that costed huge amounts of money but never really brought any business to their owners.

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Filed Under: design tips, general web design
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