Graphic design and your website

Let's begin this section by defining graphic design. Graphic design is understood to be "the process of communicating visually using text and/or images to present information, or promote a message" (Wikipedia). In other words, graphic design combines text and images in order to communicate information to the viewer.

In your website, all the images, graphics and text elements contribute to the graphic design of the site. Your site should incorporate images and graphics in order to add interest to your client and to present information that cannot be conveyed with words. Setting the mood of the site is one of the best ways to use images and graphics to convey a mood and stimulate reader interesting in your website.

The textual elements of your website are important for communicating detailed information or explanations that are best left to lingual communication. Examples of effective and necessary text include your business name, your site purpose or motto, and a description of yourself or your company.

Some website elements combine both text and images. Logotype construction is a prime example of how graphic design combines both text and graphics in order to portray a single message. Logos communicate your business name in a catchy and memorable way. This is how graphic design is most effectively utilized.

Next: Applying graphic design to your website.