Designs that Sell (Part 2): "Alignment"

Website design and alignment, what do we mean. It starts with a simple question: Why are you doing that? This should be the primary and often asked question of every web designer. The reasons behind our design choices are as important as any other decision involving the website. If the font you’re using is Verdana, ask yourself why? Does the logo have elements of Verdana, are you using it for easy readability? Or was it just your font of choice that you use on every project?

The reasons why a web designer places objects in the website design space are also just as important,; this is the concept behind alignment. There used to be a time when many a web designer  centered everything on the web page. It was probably a throwback response to those days in grade school when everything we did had to be left aligned on a ruler lined piece of paper; now, with the help of HTML, something can finally be centered – HA, HA to you Ms. Baker from third grade! But I digress.

Now comes the time when we ask that primary question that should be asked when placing an object on the website design page: “Why am I placing it there?” Because everything on the web page should be aligned with something else, some thought should be given to the reasons behind out actions. That is, UNLESS you have a specific reason why its not aligned. You see, not object in the website has to be aligned to another object, but either way, you are exhibiting power over your design because you have a reason behind every decision. Look at the example below.

Notice in area A how the blue buttons are algined to one another, and the two of them are aligned to the right of the “How Can We Help You?” label. The point is that even though the label is aligned left along the left edge, the buttons below it can also be aligned left, or aligned to the right.

Let’s look at another example. Notice below how the blue button on the left (A) is algigned off of the “M” in the “Mike In Tucson” heading. Yet the right button (B) is aligned off of the contact information in the header. Then the text below is also aligned off of what’s going on above it. This is a clear example of how you have options to align objects in the website, and so long as your web design is aligning off of something, your entire concept will have a uniform, organized look that will appeal to website vistors.

In the next article we’ll discuss website design and repetition. FX Studios is a website design firm in Tucson, Arizona. The company produces effective, affordable web design for clients in Tucson, Phoenix, and Casa Grande Arizona. We also offer website design in San Diego California, and Las Vegas, Nevada. If your company would like to consult with a professional web designer, questions on website design and other media integration, feel free to call us toll free at 1.877.388.3281.