Website complexity has trended upward. Why? Technology empowers us to do more than ever. High-end functionality is at our fingertips. We see it with content management systems (CMS), code frameworks, and other advancements. They have raised the bar on what we can achieve. And client expectations are higher than ever. This evolution has brought a […]
The 5 Biggest Pains in Website Maintenance Read More »
All content management systems (CMS) have strengths and weaknesses. Some are built for niche uses, such as eCommerce or membership sites. Others aim to be a jack-of-all-trades. In addition, these systems range from open source to proprietary. WordPress is the clear market leader. It’s my go-to app for building websites. But I have also worked
Why Modern CMS Shouldn’t Do Everything Read More »
The term “accessibility” brings a few related concepts to mind. Design-related features like color contrast and legibility are prime examples. And we can’t forget about adding ALT attributes to images. These items ensure that users can access a website. But that’s only half of the battle. Our content also has to be easy to understand.
What You Need To Know About Accessible Web Content Read More »
A great photo can transform a webpage. But not just any old photo will do. Finding the right image requires careful consideration. Designers don’t always get to make that decision, though. Clients often provide images for their websites. And they may insist on using a particular image, even if it’s of poor quality. But there’s
A Quick Guide to Great Website Photography Read More »
Each day, it seems like the web becomes more homogeneous, at least when it comes to the tools we use to build and view it. Just think – WordPress powers nearly half of all websites. Google Chrome is the browser of choice for nearly two-thirds of all users. Popular JavaScript frameworks such as React and
The Bright Side of an Increasingly Homogeneous Web Read More »
Web design is full of existential questions. One of the biggest: Can I build a website today that will still be relevant tomorrow? The answer depends on how far into the future you look. But the more time that passes, the less relevant a website’s design and functionality become. The future always brings change. And
Building Websites with the Future in Mind Read More »
Humans crave comfort, familiarity, and routine. It applies to our work and life. For example, I take my routine to the next level. I start each morning the same way: I turn on my computer and open the apps I need – all in the same order. Maybe I’m a bit obsessed? But this behavior
Taking Trips Outside of Your Design Comfort Zone Read More »
With the overwhelming number of tools, libraries, and technologies out there, it’s impossible to know everything. Yet web designers place a great deal of pressure on themselves to keep up. It can lead to a feeling of being burned out and hopelessly behind. The truth is that there is only so much you can know.
Accepting Your Limitations as a Web Designer Read More »
With so many mobile devices on the market, we’re flooded with viewport sizes. That makes it especially challenging to design a fully-responsive website. CSS media queries have long been the go-to tool. But it’s getting more difficult to account for evolving screen resolutions. If a device fails to match the viewport range you’ve set, the
Better Responsive Design With CSS clamp() Read More »
The web design community is great at sharing knowledge. But quite often what we share has some prerequisites attached. You’d likely need to already be a web designer or developer to get something out of it. But what about beginners? If you’re just starting your journey in web design, you may feel left out. With
Advice for Beginners That Are Starting in Web Design Read More »
