Web Design tools
The Internet is a daunting place for entrepreneurs and new web designers. HTML, XML, CSS and semantic markup are just a few of the words from the jargon-laden web-designer’s dictionary. If you’re pursuing a career as a web designer, you’ll need to learn these terms and dozens more. Web designers also need to know tricks and trends that can get them started. Education is important, but web design is a trial-and-error skill. The more you try new things, the more likely you’ll know the ins and outs of a well-built website. These techniques, tricks and tools will give you a platform to dive from when delving deep into the web design world.
The Grid System
Websites come in all shapes and layouts, but most have a basic underlying structures that promotes clarity and efficient design. The Grid System helps designers align page elements with even spacing and hierarchy for an aesthetically pleasing user experience. TheGridSystem.org provides templates and tools to help you build a website with an invisible grid. It might not seem like spacing can make a significant impact on your design style, but a well-spaced site looks professional and promotes easy navigation. Build your foundation on the Grid System, and you’ll earn a reputation as a clear web designer who delivers palatable content.
Embedded Content
The Internet is made up of individual websites, but it’s really a collaborative space where developers swap ideas and share content. One of the best examples of this collaborative spirit is embedded content. All major social platforms and most major video platforms enable developers to embed content directly on their websites. For developers looking to get their website off the ground, this simple process is a goldmine. Say you’re a business site discussing social media strategy. Instead of just talking about how businesses are using Pinterest to boost traffic, you can use an example. Embed a Pinterest board or Pin from digital agency iAcquire’s Pinterest to demonstrate the point you’re trying to make, using a simple line of code.
If you’re looking for ways to spruce up your web content, embed posts, Tweets and videos into your body content.
Content Management Systems
Today’s web designers don’t necessarily need to be fluent in html. Content management systems facilitate much of the back-end coding automatically, freeing up web designers’ time, and allowing them to focus on the aesthetic features of the site. WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems. This blogging platform provides an array of templates that developers can build their sites with. These templates remove the need for hand coding and make the web-building process much less daunting. Notable platforms that use WordPress include Forbes, Reuters, TechCrunch and Mashable. Drupal is another popular CMS platform that gives users more freedom to build their own layouts. Content management systems are the wave of the future in web design. Master one of these platforms and you can skip over agonizing hours of learning basic code.
