If the Matrix teaches us one thing its that sometimes the client can make better design suggestions than the professional web designer.

I found this great advice in an article I read about storytelling on the web. It applies to any of us who are producing content and we should all practice this approach. Charlie Wollborg gave the audience the best take-away for creating content and gaining attention. Before you post, think WIST: “Would I Share This?” [...]

I found this great advice in an article I read about storytelling on the web. It applies to any of us who are producing content and we should all practice this approach. Charlie Wollborg gave the audience the best take-away for creating content and gaining attention. Before you post, think WIST: “Would I Share This?” [...]

When an organisation rebrands it is a massive undertaking. Not only is there the expense of engaging a brand agency, there is also the cost of reproducing all of their print material, not to mention the website. Rebranding is a big risk. It has enormous cost implications and it is often hard to tell whether [...]

Don't look now but animated gifs are cool again!

I keep running across Amber Case recently. I first encountered her via a TED talk where she introduced me to the fascinating topic of cyborg anthropology. This is the study of how culture (and ourselves) are shaped by the technology we use. As a web designer I find this a fascinating subject. Reading more has [...]

Why the new iPad proves that progressive enhancement and responsive design are still best practice.

How do you see your website? Is it a broadcast tool or a way of engaging with your community? Too many website owners treat their website as a broadcast tool. To do this is to miss out on the fundamental power of the web. As Mary Brown recently wrote over at contentsmagazine.net: We can no [...]

It didn’t work out as you expected, did it? Running your own web design business was supposed to give you more time with the family and free you from that incompetent boss. You even thought you might be better off financially. Instead, you’re working longer hours and under constant stress, worrying about various aspects of [...]

We spend too much energy keeping users on our sites. We should focus more on reminding them we exist.

A website should satisfy our desire for risk and reward. How your site does that depends on its it's role. Which role does your site serve?

We maybe obliged to put legalise on our websites, but that doesn't mean we can't make it intelligible.

Are you setting your site priorities or is your design doing it for you?

What are you doing to make existing users feel special? For that matter what are you doing just to make their lives a little bit easier?

Imagine for a moment that you are launching a national wide billboard campaign to promote your product or service. Normally you would go to an advertising agency to do this. One that has experience in bring design and copywriting together, to slam home a powerful marketing message. Websites have more in common with billboards than [...]