OUGD504 - A Brief History of... Website - Numiko

Numiko spoke to us about a few key principles of web design. They said that you don't need to know any coding to be a successful web designer, because in industry you'd be working closely with someone who would be very good at coding, all you have to do is understand what the internet is there for and what is capable of being translated onto screen, as well as have a strong understanding of grid systems, branding, iconography, typography and illustration, which you need to be a graphic designer anyway.

They said that understanding the internet was key to their success as a company, as they started up before the web is a big thing, but anticipating that it would get big, they approached big companies and convinces them that having a website would be beneficial, and so they've done work for organisations such as the BBC, Channel 4, Blue Cross, Water Aid and Cancer Research UK.

They said a lot of design agencies don't consider how branding will look on screen, only in print, and so being in digital design can sometimes be difficult and require you to negotiate a re-brand with the client.

Other points they raised were:

• Animation or interactivity on a website should tell a story.
• Responsive web design works best when it's considered at every stage of development, not just in the final product.
• The content of the website is the most important thing, and should always dictate how the website works.
• Technology and trends change so often that no-one truly knows what they're doing.
• When designing website you should consider how easy it would be for the client to add their content after your contract is over.
• Communication between yourself and the client is important, as it can avoid potential problems with the website.
• Websites with a specific use can have a looser grid because the content will be more obvious, and therefore need less organising.