7 Fundamental Principles of Web Designing

Hopping onto the internet, making it increasingly difficult to stand out from the crowd. And, the fact that users take only 5-10 seconds to scan a website makes the situation even more challenging. However, once you have their attention, they are likely to stick around for longer, and even respond to your call for action.
So, how do you make your website appealing enough? How do you get the users to stay? The answer is through an engaging web design. Website designing is neither all art nor all science; rather it is a combination of the two. It works on some basic principles and also requires creativity for effective application of those principles. We have listed down 7 Fundamental Principles of Web Designing that will surely help your website stand out.

Balance

Just like tangible objects, elements of a web design also have a weight that needs to be balanced. The concept refers to the distribution of visual weight around a vertical axis, which helps in achieving harmony in a design. Balance can be divided into two types Symmetrical and Asymmetrical.

• Symmetrical balance refers to an equal distribution of weight on the right and the left side of the page. Notice in the image above how elements with equal weight have been placed on the left as well as the right periphery.
• Asymmetrical balance refers to an unequal distribution of elements, which brings an interesting touch to the design. In the image above, the large graphic image on the left has been balanced out by small-sized and less-worded text. And yet, the design seems to be in harmony.

Unity

• The principle of unity in a website design refers to togetherness amongst similar elements. Elements that are closely related to each other are placed in proximity while those distant in relation are placed at a distance and this creates cohesiveness in a webpage.
• In the image, you can see how elements with similar shapes have been placed in proximity and the whole page exudes harmony and cohesion.

Rhythm

This refers to the creation of a path in a design, which directs the eye to move from one element to another. The pattern created is very predictable and hence the viewer's eyes feel at ease in scrolling across a screen.
Here, the pattern has been created by linking circles through wiring and automatically, the eyes would move from left to right.

Space

• In every website design, there has to be some empty space (also called as negative space) which allows the eyes as well as the mind to breathe. By applying this principle, you can also lay emphasis on crucial elements.
• The picture above with a bold picture, short text and a lot of negative space allows the user to focus only on the important element ' which, in this case are the headphones.

Rule of Thirds

A principle associated primarily with photography, Rule of Thirds is also valid for website designs. This concept requires you to break down a webpage, using a 3x3 grid, i.e. into 9 equal blocks. The important design elements should be placed along the lines or touch the intersection points. Theoretically, the points of intersection are key areas where our eyes get automatically drawn to. Notice how the object has occupied only one-third of the area but grabs all the attention.

Color Scheme

The color scheme of your web design can make or break its appeal. With the use of contrasting colors for background, text and images, the impact will be much greater. Prefer to use a blend of light and dark hues as in the image above. Or go for monochromes, but make sure that some elements are there to balance it out.

Typography

Serif fonts are generally preferred for headlines because they are difficult to read at small sizes; whereas, for the body text one should go for Sans-Serif fonts like Verdana and Arial. They have a contemporary appeal and less decorative. Also, make sure that there are not more than 3 font types and 3 font sizes in one website; otherwise it will become too inconsistent.

All these design principles are essential to bear in mind while creating a website for maximum impact. If you are getting it made from a Web Designing Company in India , you can use these points to put forth your requirements. However, you must know that some principles, such as Space, Color Scheme, and Typography are applicable on all pages, at all times, but some of them, like Rhythm, Unity and Balance may or may not be applicable together. For instance, if you wish to create asymmetrical balance, it is impossible to include rhythm in the same design. So, use your common sense and creativity and have a remarkable online presence.