The Facets of Web Design – Basics Simply Explained

In this blog article, we delve into the fundamental principles of web design. At Blue Nexus, we review approximately 4,000 websites weekly and find that around 80% of them don't even adhere to the basic principles of web design. Therefore, we want to explain the most important basics that every website should follow to be visually appealing and user-friendly.

1. Use of a Grid System

A grid is an invisible framework of horizontal and vertical lines that helps create an organized structure for placing elements on a website. A well-thought-out grid system ensures that all content—such as text, images, and buttons—is arranged harmoniously and symmetrically. The goal is to design a clean and consistent layout where the spacing between elements is uniform, and the entire page appears visually structured. A neat grid makes it easier for users to absorb the content and significantly improves the user experience.

2. Color Weighting: The 60-30-10 Rule

A balanced color scheme is crucial for the visual impression and user guidance of a website. The 60-30-10 rule is a proven method to achieve harmony and structure in color design. Typically, this means that:

• 60% of the website's area consists of a neutral base color, often white (e.g., as a background).

• 30% is used by an accent color, such as black for text.

• 10% is filled with a more intense color like red for call-to-action (CTA) elements and important highlights.

This color distribution ensures that the design remains simple, clear, and visually appealing. At the same time, it creates a clear visual hierarchy that helps users understand the content better and navigate more quickly.

3. High-Quality and Optimized Images

Images are a central component of web design as they significantly influence a website's aesthetics. However, images should not only be high-resolution and of good quality but also compressed to improve the website's loading times. Fast loading times are an important factor for a positive user experience and for ranking in search engines like Google. Therefore, a balanced ratio between image quality and file size is crucial. Optimized images enhance the visual experience without compromising the website's performance.

4. Choosing the Right Font

The choice of font is another important aspect of web design. It contributes significantly to the visual identity of a website and influences the perception of its content. When selecting a font, ensure that it fits the brand identity and the target audience. For example, an elegant serif font might be ideal for a traditional company offering high-quality products, while a modern sans-serif font would be more appropriate for a tech startup. Readability on different devices should always be considered.

5. Clear Visual Hierarchy on Every Screen

Every page—especially on screen sizes with 100% viewport height—should have a clear visual hierarchy. It's not enough to rely solely on color choices, as described in the second principle. The visual hierarchy should be reinforced through the arrangement and size of individual elements like images, texts, icons, and buttons. For simple and clear structuring, it's helpful to use three different size categories of elements on each screen:

• Large elements: For example, a dominant image or a large header.

• Medium elements: Such as an H2 heading with a font size of 42px.

• Small elements: Body text with a font size of 18px or a small call-to-action button.

This hierarchy ensures that users immediately recognize the most important information and that the page does not appear overloaded. It creates a clear, orderly layout that provides orientation to the user.

Conclusion

By consistently observing these fundamental principles of web design, most websites will already appear significantly more professional and user-friendly. These basics form the foundation for good design that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also offers a pleasant user experience.