We know for sure that in hardware (computers, cars and gadgets) design plays a huge role, they make the products easy to use and beautiful to look at. The Mac is the icon of good design in the computer hardware manufacturing industry. On web design, however, some studies say that design doesn’t play a major part and that usability and good information organization are the key drivers to success.
I think that a site can’t just look good, but it needs to help the user do what they are hoping to do when they visit you. For example, if I visit a blog on social media it’s probably to read an artcile about it. In that case the site needs to help me find an article on the subject I want and guide me to read it and bookmarkit, share it or print it. The site needs to work good, and part of it are the good looks.
Web Design for me includes not just the visual part but all the Information Architecture and planning behind. In that sense Cragislist may appear to have a poor design, but indeed it has a organization that it’s consistent with the users patterns of use and the color scheme helps users know where to click, for them it’s enough. So basically the conclusion is that the site needs to help the user perform what she needs to perform in a awesome way.
Graphics and Visual design should not be left apart though. This design can help highlight the brand or a button that may help a user get something else. Color schemes need to allow users to read without their eyes getting tired and typography needs to be the right size and form for the eyes not to suffer when reading it.
Web design shouldn’t be defined just as making it look pretty visually. Web design should englobe planning, information architecture and usability. In that sense I agree with what Lyndi told me, that “pretty goofy looking” sites can have awesome results, because they are easy to use and the looks though not excellent are good enough for users to stick around. On the other side I’ve seen lot’s of sites that have an awesome visual concept, but I can’t figure what to do with them.
Do you think the looks of a site are important? Or should there be a balance between a site that looks good and works good?
I’m new to web design, but I think the right balance is the way we need to go with. But above all we need a site that helps the purpose that the site was created for.
