Stages of Designing a Website Theme or Template

It is often all tempting to dive straight into coding of a website theme or template, and skip some of the

earlier stages of the design process.

A good theme or template isn’t just the visual elements, but is made up of many different factors, including the research and planning.

If you want to hire a UK web designer please get in touch.

This article is primarily aimed at new web designers, but also probably offers up some useful information for web designers of all levels, plus useful insight for those looking to hire a web designer for their own project.

Stage 1 – Discussion

It is important to form a brief for a web design project, that isn’t purely based on the web designers skills and insight.

A client will have ideas of what they like, don’t like and hopefully have questions, to help them gain a better understanding of what they would like to achieve.

It is through discussion with the client that together a design brief can be created that meets their requirements.

If all this is neglected, with a pure intention of designing to impress, with no input from the client, they possibly will feel like it isn’t their design, plus some key objectives will probably be overlooked, creating a weaker final design, no matter how drop-dead gorgeous a design looks.

Stage 2 – Research, Planning and Mock Design

It is always best to already have performed some research before you have your initial discussion, but also after the discussion, you need to perform further research, more in-depth planning and produce a mock design.

It is also best at this stage to create a check-list also to make sure all details are not forgotten later on.

All through this process keep your client updated, make them aware of what you are working on, feed them through mock designs for feedback.

Make them feel part of the project, which they should be.

Stage 2 – Research, Planning and Mock Design

It is always best to already have performed some research before you have your initial discussion, but also after the discussion, you need to perform further research, more in-depth planning and produce a mock design.

It is also best at this stage to create a check-list also to make sure all details are not forgotten later on.

All through this process keep your client updated, make them aware of what you are working on, feed them through mock designs for feedback.

Make them feel part of the project, which they should be.

Stage 3 – Creating the design

Now you can put the nuts and bolts together so to speak. Using your mock design you can start your work with you chosen design packages. i.e. Adobe illustrator, Adobe PhotoShop, GIMP, PaintShop Pro etc.

Stage 4 – Feedback, testing and tweaks

Make sure you seek feedback from your client and others.

Be open to changes as long as everyone understands why the changes are occurring, and what purpose they serve.

You should also consider providing a live demo / test area for your client to see the design in action.

Conclusion

There are various other stages that could be involved, all depends on the level of service you provide and testing.

There is a marked difference between creating a design and a design that has gone through a testing phrase, not just feedback of a design that isn’t live on a test development server.

Web designing is more than talent, it is also about engagement and communication.

Going the extra distance to make sure you deliver a truly fantastic design, that was built with passion and commitment to the design process.

If you want to hire a UK web designer please contact us.