Basics Of Design

Continued from Trend vs. Timeless – Back to the Basics

On my quest to re-visit the basics of design, resonant constants appear at every turn. I hadn’t expected that a refresher of the elements and principles would, at the core again and again, circle back to how people see, the way they think, and how we read. I didn’t even realize I had lost sight of this! But now that I’m reminded, I find myself consciously weighing the implications every day.

In my first blog I was drawing a lot of circles reading You Can Draw in 30 Days by Mark Kistler. And yes it’s been 30 days but unfortunately I’ve been a bad student and still can’t draw. I found myself more caught up in the whys than the hows! The book illustrates how to create the illusion of depth in drawings – how people see. It’s a great read and if you want to learn to draw, I highly recommend it.

Part of the time I was supposed to be drawing I was reading The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman. Its’ principles sparked my current obsession with interaction. Affordances, signifiers, mapping, feedback and the advantage we can strike with a balance of interplay between knowledge in the world and in the head. Tom Peters, author of In Search of Excellence says of it, Design may be our top competitive edge. This book is a joy – fun and of the utmost importance.

I’ve just started a short read, Don’t Make Me Think by Steve Krug. The focus is more specific to Team 218s Web Services and emphasizes Web Usability. And right next to it, just waiting to have a hint of coffee oops on its new pages, is Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath. (Yes I’m one of the tactile, let’s say mature generation, who still buys books)

Ahhh, the homestretch to Spring… Happy sunsets AFTER we get off work to all the other eight-to-fivers who’ve been missing the light of day!

0 Comments

About The Author

Team 218 Web ServicesHi, I'm Chuck Hersey, co-owner of Team 218 Web Services and I created this content. I've been building websites and working with SEO projects for over 20 years. I started Team 218 in 2014 with a goal of offering quality, affordable websites to Iowa small businesses and nonprofit organizations. I wanted to provide a complete website package solution to make getting a website easy, fun and affordable.

You can contact me by email (puhpx@grnz218.pbz), our Contact Form or by text or phone at 319-333-0815.

You Might Also Like

Website Management Services – First Month Free

Website Management Services – First Month Free

#websitemanagementservices #webmasterservice #Team218 Save some money. Our Website Management Service is already a pretty sweet deal and now you can save a few bucks in the process. Sign up now and get your first month free. You read that right, $660 for a full year...

Why You Should Consider Team 218 For Your Web Design Needs

Why You Should Consider Team 218 For Your Web Design Needs

How Team 218 Web Services Makes Website Creation Easy with a Friendly Touch Introduction: Having a great website is a must for businesses and nonprofits. It helps attract customers, share information, and build trust. When it comes to creating a website for your...

Iowa City Web Development From Team 218 Web Services

Iowa City Web Development From Team 218 Web Services

Iowa City Web Development for Small Businesses and Nonprofits Are you a small business owner or a nonprofit organization looking to enhance your online presence in Iowa City? Look no further than Team 218 Web Services, your trusted partner in delivering web...