I design Websites that focus on usability.
This means web sites that are simple to use, easy to navigate, and that help the user to find information and products quickly. I work hard to create design that is elegant, timeless and compelling. Yet, I try never to allow the desire for great art to overwhelm the need for good function.
As the web moves away from being the "cool new toy" to a tool for information and research, web design must change with it. Web design must support your message, not overwhelm it. Therefore, web design must be done with restraint.
Visual toys such as animation and sound must be used only when the content or product warrants it, not simply as useless decoration.
I do not recommend the use of FLASH animations or packages, and do not use these, as they have proved too slow and unfriendly to site visitors, as they take too long to load. Most Web users still use dialup access, and this is not well suited to FLASH. FLASH may impress the site owner, but it is a drawback to the site user, and to add to it, Search engines are not compatible with FLASH.
A reality that must be faced is that High-speed connections such as DSL are not utilized by most of the world. If you want your web site to be viewed by the widest possible audience, the design must factor in the speed limitations of dial-up connections.
Also, most importantly, the Web is not television. It is currently an information resource for most users, not an entertainment medium. Therefore, web design must make information easily accessible. That is its core responsibilty.
Additionally, e-commerce is about meeting the needs of diverse customers quickly. Simplicity, ease of use and clear navigation are powerful web design tools that enhance the customer experience, and your bottom line as a business owner.
