A Graphic Designer’s Playground: Well Designed Websites

I am not a web programmer. Having taken only one introductory web design class, I maintain a very basic knowledge of how to read or create html and css code, and I know nothing about the mysterious term “javascript”. It did not take long for me and other graphic design students to realize how intensive and complicated setting up a functional website can be! Although I am not a web programmer by any means, I can definitely appreciate a well designed website. When I come across that website, I can click away until all my senses (except smell and taste I suppose) have reached their heart’s content. When the magic happens, I simply cannot pull myself away from my seat or my eyes off the screen.

I assume I am not the only one who experiences this amount of amusement from a well-designed website time to time. Coming from a graphic design background, I have learned to appreciate when something is especially pleasing visually, with additional quirks that come from user interaction. My web design teacher told us about several websites we could browse on for inspiration; there was one website in particular I still visit pretty frequently. Designcharts.com compiles a weekly list of 40 fantastic websites, each of which exhibit an immense amount of creativity. I’ll be playing around on websites I find from Designcharts.com and not even realize that several hours have gone by. An intriguing website design can definitely bring more potential customers’ attention to your company.

Web design is definitely recognized as one of the fastest growing outlets for creativity. As for creating websites, I will stick to what I enjoy most (and have patience for) which is designing the website, rather than constructing it. Are there specific websites that you like to spend time on? What is it about the website that draws you in? Let us know what you think!

Written by: Katie Coughlan