Web design encompasses a variety of disciplines and skills in the creation and maintenance of web sites. These disciplines are very diverse and there is a great deal of overlap between them. In addition, some specialized fields such as graphic design or human interaction have developed because of the specific needs they fill. The different disciplines of web design include web graphics design; web user interface design; website authoring, which include proprietary software and standardised code; web content development; and Search Engine Optimization. These are just some of the disciplines that make up web design.
Before you can understand web designs you first need to understand web designers. A lot of people refer to web designers as webmasters but this term is typically more common among the industry. Web designers are the individuals that create the websites that display information on the World Wide Web. The websites are generally presented in a format that makes it easy for users to navigate and engage in transactions while on the site. It is the web designers job to ensure that the information is presented in a way that allows a visitor to be easily able to find what they are looking for. They usually work closely with the webmaster and interact with other web designers in an effort to provide the most complete and comprehensive website possible.
A web designer is also the individual that will often be involved in the problem solving process. Designers are responsible for ensuring that the entire website is usable and works the way that the visitor was intended to work. This involves the completion of layout, typography, images, photos, video, networking and interactivity. Some web designers will use programming languages such as HTML and Java. While others may only utilize a basic level of coding to develop the website.
Many of the programs used by web designers today are designed for use on the desktop. These include Microsoft Office and Adobe Systems. Users of these desktop software applications will find that they are compatible with many of the programs used by web designers. Desktop software tends to be less demanding when it comes to processing speed and memory than software designed for use on the web. Some of the desktop software applications even allow the user to access the server and upload information directly from their desktop computer. Some desktop software also provides additional functionality such as document management and search functionality.
Another important facet of web design and its relationship to user research is the importance that the designer places on usability. In this aspect of the project, the web designer will conduct usability testing to see how users will navigate and interact with the website. The testing team will track the progress of the designer as they construct the website. The tests will determine if users can find all of the elements they need to complete the task and if the website is easy to navigate.
The final component of the user experience is related to the creation of an interactive and user friendly website. Usability testing determines if users can navigate the site and interact with the application. This part of web design often involves speaking with representatives from the customer to determine what parts of the site will help them complete a particular task. Web designers take user experience into consideration when they are designing the website and ensuring that all of the components work together to provide the best user experience possible.
