These two little words are being used a lot in the design sphere these days. But what truly is interaction design? And what makes you an interaction designer? Here, we’ll answer both of those questions and offer a showcase of …
One of the best techniques to have in your toolkit is designing with type on and around images. But it can also be one of the toughest concepts to pull off successfully. You have to have the right photo, a …
Good images are a key part of putting together a great website. But finding images to use can sometimes be difficult. Your options are to take the photos yourself, buy images from a photographer or stock image site or to …
Every new year comes with lists of new design trends and techniques you’ll be using in the months to come. But what about typography? While type trends are often parts of these lists, there aren’t as many devoted to fonts …
Creating a dark color scheme can result in a beautiful, elegant design. There are a variety of ways to do it, from creating pop with sharp contrast or working with a more monotone color palette, which we will focus on …
They are everywhere. Little tricks on webpages, in apps and with popups and forms that “trick” you into completing an action online. These so-called dark patterns have a negative impact on user experience, frustrate website visitors and should be avoided. …
It can be hard to get excited about email design. But it is an ever-growing and ever-important part of branding and design for a large number of businesses, freelancers, and even designers. Email design can make or break the messages that …
Do you ever wish you knew more about website visitors to provide more personalized experiences? IP Geolocation API does just that. It’s a free an open source tool for IP to geolocation. It’s fairly easy to use and can help …
Did you know that more than 4 percent of the population is color blind? Different variations of color blindness and other sight impairments can impact the readability and usability of your website. It’s up to you to ensure that your …
No matter what your level of design is – from beginner to master coder – there are times when you need ready-to-use web development assets. Codester is a one-stop-shop for everything from PHP scripts to app templates to themes to …
It’s been decades since one of the oldest news magazines in the world has looked different. That all changed in October when The Economist launched a redesign that freshens up the look of the news and makes it easier to …
A user’s first impression of your site can be a lasting one. In the first few seconds, a person decides to stick with your content or move on. They will also make decisions about whether your site fits their needs. …
One of the most challenging and tricky parts of the design process can be choosing a color palette that represents your brand or message, while creating an amazing base for the design. Creating perfect color combinations is more than just …
The newest trend in web design has inklings of parallax, but it’s not quite parallax. It involves moving elements, but it’s not really animation. It includes plenty of great color and physical elements, but it’s not material. This background trend …
You have a looming deadline for a client project. The minutes re ticking toward the face-to-face client meeting. Are you ready? Just grabbing a design and handing it to a client is not the way to nail your client project …
Design is not always an in-your-face art. It is subtle, usable and often undefinable. Quite simply, good design is often invisible. And just to be clear – invisible design is not about adding layers or transparencies or hidden meanings to …
So you need a great website, right? Everyone does. But if you are not skilled in the art of web design or development, you will need to hire a designer or design company to complete the job for you. This …
As designers we all know the importance of visually pleasing websites. But it goes much deeper than that. Good design does more than just look good; it’s a branding and marketing tool that really can help deliver results. Here, we’ll …
Life as a freelance designer is not always as glamorous as it may sound. There is often work to be done … even when you have travel plans. Sometimes you have freelancing to do while traveling for work (another job …
Designing around food can be tricky. Think about it: Taking a photo of food is difficult. How can you explain the aroma of a great meal digitally? But there are plenty of things you can do when designing a website …
The use of pastel colors in web design is more than a recent trend, it is a technique designers have used for years to create impactful visuals. When you hear “pastel”, pale pinks, blues and yellows might come to mind, …
We are in the midst of a digital era of design. From websites to apps to wearables, understanding how digital design is written and comes together is increasingly important. That’s where learning and understanding code comes in. Your don’t have …
One of the biggest trends in web design right now is the use of big images. And not just large, but completely oversized images that seem to come to life on screen. When used at the top of a page, …
What’s in a grid? A grid-style framework is the backbone to almost any web design project, providing the structure for your site as well as a way to organize content, elements and images. There are a variety of grid systems …