Webupon

Over the years, I’ve been asked to help people and organizations build a website and the first question is invariably, “Where do we start?”  A very good question; however, it is not the best question.  The pull to get something (anything) done overpowers the process and muddies the waters and only the most seasoned designers can help save this situation from what will inevitably end up as just another mediocre page of information.

Good web design marries art and usability.  Great designers do it in a way that you aren’t sure which one is making the most difference.  The web has evolved past simple transer of information to something that hasn’t been classified because it has elements of information, entertainment, relationship, innovation, risk, reward and a dash of uncertainty.  We use the Internet in life much in the same way great chefs use salt – a pinch here and there, but never absent and ever so important.

Does the web need to be easy to use?  Sure.  But it also needs to capture us emotionally – the sheer volume of information dictates that design become something more than well-formed CSS and a catchy logo.  But what?  That’s where the right questions start to become very important.

It’s not where or what, but rather why - discovering the reasons for being online.  Each venture into cyberspace is born out of a dream and those dreams are tied back to passions and understanding them help us capture the “spirit” of WHY.  Knowing this lays the foundation to the entire project.  Honoring those dreams and deciding up front to keep them sacred will greatly simplify everything going forward as they will lay a guideline for what should be considered and what should be cast off.

So write your content and design your interfaces, but tie them back to your dreams.  After all – this is your web…might as well make it great and free from regret.