When it comes to graphic design, it’s a dynamic fusion of client requirements and a designer’s creativity until it reaches the hands of a developer.
As a graphic designer, you can’t solely focus on creative freedom; you must also consider factors that affect developers, such as design compatibility across various screens and time constraints.
Developers often face challenges when translating graphic designs into functional websites, especially when adapting them for mobile platforms. However, there are web layout design techniques that graphic designers can employ to expedite the development process.
At Alliance, we draw from our extensive web development experience to shed light on crucial web design tips for creating developer-friendly designs:
Define Your Grid and Understand Your Limits
Before diving into graphic design, it’s essential to establish global boundaries and set up a grid structure that will guide your entire design process. Popular front-end frameworks like Bootstrap and the 960 Grid offer 12-column grid systems that allow for precise designs appreciated by developers.
Why: Without a grid, developers struggle to determine the dimensions of content blocks in a pixel-perfect design, resulting in a time-consuming process of individually positioning design elements. In contrast, adhering to a 12-column grid system like Bootstrap can save developers up to 30% of their effort and time.
Steer Clear of Irregular Curves
Graphic designers often enjoy introducing innovative shapes and elements to break the monotony of regular designs. However, it’s crucial to avoid using irregular curves unless absolutely necessary.
Why: Irregular curves are not readily supported in CSS and HTML, presenting a development challenge. Implementing irregular curves requires adding image files to the code, reducing design flexibility. Developing sections with irregular curves can take up to 50% more time compared to regular shapes, making it advisable to stick with regular shapes.
Keep Complexity in Check
Graphic designers sometimes experiment with content block size variations, alignment breaks, or overlay effects, leading to increased complexity for developers. It’s essential to avoid such practices.
Why: Overlaying a translucent effect layer onto the primary layer compromises design flexibility across different screen sizes. While primary layer blocks adapt automatically, the translucent layer requires manual positioning through coding. Maintaining a seamless flow as shown in the 2nd case is preferable.
Ensure Consistency in Section Sizes
Accurate alignments and measurements are crucial. Graphic designers often overlook the precision required for a pixel-perfect design, particularly when designing similar sections for different web pages.
Why: To achieve a pixel-perfect design, HTML developers must ensure consistency and precision in measurements. When creating similar design sections for various web pages, maintaining high design accuracy is essential. A developer can define a consistent design section once and reuse it across web pages, saving time and maintaining accuracy.
Prioritize Consistency Across Website and Mobile Design
With the increasing use of mobile platforms, responsive design is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Graphic designers should pay close attention to design elements and image alignments, ensuring they are consistent between the web and mobile versions.
Why: Designers who first create a desktop design often overlook the visual consistency between desktop and mobile versions. When the desktop design is handed over to an HTML developer, accurately positioning design elements for mobile screens becomes challenging, resulting in disconnected designs across various screen sizes.
Implementing the above web layout design tips can empower graphic designers to adopt a developer-friendly approach, creating a more efficient environment for developers.
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