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Visual Content and Concepts: Part 1 – Content

Content is the essence of your work; it is what is being depicted, and it is a distinct aspect of art and design that can cross over into web design to help any designer create a unified site. Content is also the emotional or intellectual message, the expression, essential meaning, significance or aesthetic value. This can be sensory, subjective and emotional properties. Your content or message, whether subtle or overt, is aided through your usage of colors, placement of designs, line, photos, typography, texture and site organization. When these design elements work with your physical content, a unified and cohesive design exists.

Every element of design helps dictate this content-related conversation with viewers and customers. Websites are visual and the first introduction and subsequent visits to your business’ site need to tell a story of who you are, what you sell, and why they should consider your business over others. Sites that appropriately convey their messages in every way possible, with text-content, photos and design choices, tend to create more customers because they show and tell that they are a well organized, thoughtful company that embodies their philosophy, product, or service.

  • Does your site convey your subject matter?
  • Does it show the essence of your business?
  • Do all of the choices made for your website make sense and convey your business, product or service
  • Furthermore, do these visual choices make you excited about your own business?

Professional photos are an easy way to convey content. The most important thing to remember here is that these photos need to be professional looking.  Images should be crisp and focused, well-lit and with balanced light and bevisually engaging. Supplemental design choices, such as backgrounds, text, texture, etc fall more into concepts in design. Check back for Part II, dealing more with Concepts.