{Interactive Web Design Blog}

As web designers we are still launching ourselves in a relatively new field. We don’t have the years and years of design history to draw on quite like they do in the graphic design world. But we still have a design process that we go through with every project.

We want our designs to be current and on track with the rest of the design industry trends. Of course we also have to consider future trends, web design is poised to start making a big impact as companies and businesses shift their presence and their marketing online.

The thinking part: using our brains!

The initial phase of a web design project focuses in on varying design research methods. Our number one priority is to make sure that we are following a user centered design process. We want to get to know your clients, the end users of your new website, your target market if you will. We want to get inside their heads and figure out what will speak to your users, and then we will design to support that message.

Branding Strategy: building an identity

Another important product that results from the research and design methods that we follow is determining your brand or your identity. If you or your company does not have a strongly defined brand, or an identity that is currently represented by your graphics and logos, as web designers we can create one for you. A successful website should help you launch your online presence in general. Having a clear branding strategy is one of the keys to success.

The fun stuff: color palettes & mood boards

Okay, at this point in the design process your web designers have used their brains, they understand the design research, they know who you or your company are speaking to and what your users will respond to. It is time to do the next phase of research and determine how best to graphically speak to your audience.

We create mood boards, visual collages from all the information that has been gathered. We put together color palettes that we think your audience and users will respond to.

In the Interactive Design program at Capilano University we use several awesome resources online when brainstorming for color palettes.

Check out Adobe’s site Kuler

Another great spot to satisfy your inner art nerd is this color palette generator at DeGraeve

Here in Vancouver the 2010 Olympics are a part of everything these days, so I have to mention some interesting affects that I think the games are having on our local Vancouver design industry. As I was surfing the net the other day looking for color palette resources I found this inspiring online forum encouraging designers to interact and upload to a collection of color palettes inspired by the 2010 Winter Olympics Colour Lovers, Olympic love

Another window into the design process is this video.

It walks you through the design process behind creating the 2010 Winter Olympics graphics and brand. Everything that I have laid out in this post happened on that project, and I have to say that I think they did a fantastic job.

The graphics keep up with many of the design trends that we are seeing online so far in 2010. A blend of organic images, hand drawn illustrations and retro graphics. They speak to the Canadian audience, balancing our love of nature and our outdoor lifestyle with our beautiful cities. The graphics stand out on all of the websites, the print materials the buildings and the flags, the athletes outfits even.

It seems as though the design process was thorough, the design research methods were successful, and the chosen color palette suits Vancouver perfectly.

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