Web Site Design
Since its inception, the Internet has quickly become one of the most powerful means of communication. It has changed the way humans communicate, learn, shop, entertain, and perform business. It has also linked the world together creating one library of thoughts, information, and entertainment. This library is so big and so powerful that our world has and will continue to change at an exponential rate.
With the design and development of software programs like: Dreamweaver, Flash, GoLive, and Microsoft Front page, the design and development of web sites has become a rather simple task. These programs along with other content management systems or web portal systems allow users with virtually no web design knowledge to begin posting pictures, information, and multimedia elements on the web.
Anyone who has ever surfed the World Wide Web can easily explain or identify sites that just do not work. The web is full of poorly designed web site with clashing color schemes, confusing navigation, or crowed design elements. Although the design and development of web pages is becoming easier, the rules of usability, design, form, function, flow, unity, etc. continues to grow.
The most important job of any web designer is to create web sites that meet the needs and wants of the end-user. The end-user is the person or persons who will be using the site. When the end-user arrives at a site, he or she usually within minutes evaluates the quality of the site. If the end-user likes the site, he or she will stay. If the end-user does not like the site, he or she is just one click away from leaving the site. The web is a great platform for experimentation and creativity, but certain rules must be applied in design to ensure the end-user will be able to use and understand the site.
