How
do you create a simple design?
7 Simple Rules to Create a Design
Keep it simple, stupid. This idea
dates back to 1960, when the U.S. Navy introduced the KISS principle. It states
that simple systems are more efficient than complex ones. This principle
applies to almost any design project.
KISS is a key concept for graphic
designers. How can you achieve it? It can be difficult to create a
simple design. These seven design rules will help you create a simple and
elegant account.
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1. Only
one goal per page
A simple design begins with a goal and
goals for each page. The navigation and footer should not be included on
any page.
It could be clicking a link, filling
out a form, playing a video, or watching a video. Every page should be
focused on one user action or conversion.
Users can become overwhelmed by the
sheer number of tasks they have to complete. Users can lose track of the
actions that should be taken and make poor choices. Each page should be
designed to lead users to one goal. Each actionable button should be the
same on every page, regardless of whether it is above or below the
scroll. Users will be able to understand why they're on your site, and
what they should do. The simplicity of the choices makes the design simple and
engaging.
2. Keep
it simple with two types of families
Many design guidelines recommend that
you use three typesfaces in a project. This can be further simplified by
using two strong type families.
You should look for a type family with
multiple weights and lots of contrast between regular, bold, or black
options. You can add even more flair by choosing a display option that has
a few alternative characters.
You can then mix and match a display
and body typeface to create great combinations of lettering throughout the
design. You can use two types families as you would with more options for
specific styles or weights.
This can be a great way to create a typography
palette that is easy to read and use, and that has visual consistency.
3. Maintain
Consistent Alignment
You can place the elements in any order
you want, such as left, center, or to the right. This applies to elements
that aren’t identical but can be grouped together.
Adaptable does a fantastic job with the
text on their homepage slider. Even though the text on the homepage slider
has different lines, the headlines always align with the call-to-action
button. Consistent spacing is also used between elements.
This alignment is maintained on the
scroll along with other headlines and CTA pairs.
The alignment is in line with the flow
of slider which moves in a complementary direction. Because they are most
easily readable, the most popular options for text elements are left and center
alignments. Left alignment is preferred for longer text.
4. Establish
Hierarchy
Users shouldn't have to consider where
to look or how to move through a design. Even the most basic visual
compositions need to have a hierarchy.
The dominant visual is the
first. This can be an image, video, text display, or any other visual that
makes a first impression.
Next, you need to add text that tells
users what the website and design are trying to convey. This usually takes
the form of a headline that matches the dominant visual.
The third is an additional bit of text
or action that users can complete. A navigation menu is the final visual
element. The user expects to find all these elements, and their eyes are
trained to follow the order of the elements. This design style makes it
easier for users.
5. Give
Elements Lots of Space
It's not too late to learn it: White
space is your friend.
Make sure you give every component of
the design enough space. You can draw attention to the individual elements
by using space.
Consistency is key to making space work
well. You can set guidelines for how much space should be allowed between
text lines or around elements. You might have to reduce the spacing if
your design looks too bare. When you open the design from scratch, you
will know if the spacing is correct. Then you can go straight to the areas you
want users see first. (Do you not know what they are?) Go back to
6. Amp
Up Contrast
High-contrast design elements can add
visual finesse to projects, regardless of their minimal framework.
Bright, contrasting colors are a great
option for trendy designs. Bold colors can make a simple design seem more
complicated and interesting than a black-and-white option. Opt for colors
with similar saturations to make the most of contrast color. You might
also consider other pairs based on the color wheel. You might find a new
favorite combination, like the purple and teal one above.
7. Use
consistent elements and icons
One of the most important (and least
known) secrets to great design is consistency in design. This is a common
mistake that designers make when they add buttons or social media icons to
design projects that don't fit the rest of their website's iconography.
Interface elements for users should not
be considered an afterthought.
It is important to have a set of icons
and user interface elements and rules that you use throughout your
project. If you don't have the time or desire to create them from scratch,
you can buy or download an icon font and user interface element kit.
Choose a color and use the same hover
effect or action for all elements (one for clickable elements and one for
non-clickable elements). You can also size elements according to their
usage. It is acceptable to have an icon that is slightly larger than the
oversized option, for elements that are more graphic.
Praticca Vending Machines uses large
icons to indicate that more information is available. An icon with a
colored symbol contains a +. Except for the color, all three icons look identical. All
three icons do the same thing when hovered and they all behave the same way
when clicked. To help users scan the text and start new content, the same
icon is used throughout the site in a smaller size.
Conclusion
Simple design doesn't have to be boring
or devoid of fun elements. Simple design allows users to interact without
needing to know complicated information.
There are times when more complicated
websites or user interactions are necessary, but most website designs can be
benefited from the KISS approach. Users won't need to overthink it.
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