Graphic Design & Image Optimization
Armanda Designs creates custom graphics for most of the sites on which we work. A few of our customers either employ or work
with a Graphic Designer. We have had great success incorporating the designs of
those design professionals. We strive to create graphics to coordinate with your
existing marketing materials, evoke the right mood and present a navigational structure
that is intuitive to your site visitors. We will create files for print for our
established customers.
There are many design elements that create the 'skin' for your information. The
color choices, the way information and products are presented, the navigation, and
the organization all combine to reach your goal.
Color
Color is a powerful way to set the tone. Designs that use a full saturation of red,
or hot colors, draws attention. Cold colors use a full saturation of blue and set
a calm tone. Warm colors also contain red, but it is the addition of yellow that
conveys a sense comfort and welcome. The addition of yellow also transforms the
cold blue colors in the cool colors of growth and renewal. Light, dark, pale or
bright colors convey feelings of airiness, drama, gentleness and exhilaration. The
successful combination of color, hues and tints will enhance your site and strengthen
your message.
Layout
Proper layout of your site can successfully communicate products, concepts and images.
The typeface chosen affects the ease of reading. The placement of graphic elements
can enhance or detract from the purpose of your site. The size and empty "white"
space surrounding the individual components can add emphasis or drama, closeness
and warmth. The placement of those components in relationship to each other impact
your message and can also strengthen it considerably.
Usability
Navigational elements are the vehicle to transport you through a web site. They
can be pull down menus, graphic links or simple text links. Pull down menus are
useful for a site with many categories. They give the site a less playful and perhaps
more serious feel. Graphic links set a variety of different tones based on their
color, texture and interactive qualities. Text links can be quite simple or light,
when used creatively, they convey more than just the simple basics.
Image Optimization
There are many programs out there that easily allow the nonprofessional to work
their photographs. When photos are presented in a web site the files sizes are improtant
for your pages to load quickly. Armanda Designs works on your photos individually
for color and contrast correction and correct compression for the best presentation
possible. Training is also available for Photoshop CS.