Written by Ben Hunt from web design agency Scratchmedia. For more information about his agency visit scratchmedia.co.uk

Good web page design

How to design web sites and web pages that simply work.

“Web Design from Scratch” is a complete guide to web design for everyone interested in creating effective web pages - whether novice or expert.

It will help you understand what makes web sites succeed or fail, and what can be done to increase the chance of success.

You don't have to be a web designer to benefit from this site. You may have a current web site design project, you may be updating an existing site, or just interested in learning new skills.

Web design and development is a huge area that grows and changes every day. While it's impossible to document everything there is to know, this site aims to help you understand the principles of creating great sites and to teach you some of the most important skills needed to do it successfully and repeatedly.

Web Design from Scratch is provided totally free-of-charge. If you would like to show your support by making a donation, you're most welcome.

Web design is a complex discipline that involves a wide range of skills. I notice that some of the most basic skills are lacking in many web site designs.

Those basic skills are quite simple, but can be hard to gain because of a lack of teaching material. That's what WDFS aims to solve!

Simplicity in web design

Designing effective web sites requires having a firm understanding of design fundamentals, and applying them with an eye for simplicity. The simple approach doesn't make sites boring or plain! On the contrary, well-designed sites can be beautiful, and fulfilling and enjoyable to use. 'Web Design from Scratch' describes my approach to simple web design.

As well as theory, it's full of practical guidance on the really useful stuff:

  • How to think like a successful designer
  • What to say on your web site
  • How to arrange your content in a way that makes sense
  • How to lay out a web page for maximum success
  • And how to design a useful and appealing visual layer

Web Usability or Web Design?

It's about good design!

There's been an political "design/usability" argument in the web industry for ages, with people arguing that one is more important than the other. The argument is based on a concept that design and usability are distinct or opposing forces.

I don't recognise this distinction. The purpose of design is to facilitate communication. When designing products that have a communication function, usable design is simply better design, because it makes a product better at its job. Usability is about enabling better communication. There's no either/or and there's no choice if you're serious about design.

Free web design articles and tutorials

The site is published under the shareware principle. That means it's offered free of charge, and if you find it valuable, you are invited to support this work by donating. I particularly encourage you to contribute if you use this as part of an educational or business training programme. Your support will help me develop this resource for everyone.

About Ben Hunt

Ben Hunt

I've been creating web sites and applications since 1994 in various roles.

I'm the principal consultant for a small UK design firm called Scratchmedia. Today, most of my work is consulting to clients of all sizes (from sole traders to government departments) to help them succeed on the web.

My mission is to help make the web a better place by learning and sharing the practice of good design.

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Questions about Web Design & Production?

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