But what if you have a website currently that uses Flash? Do you need to dump it and start over?

Our answer: Eventually.

It is true that within the next few years, mobile devices will overtake desktops as the primary way people access the Internet. (The latest report we’ve seen projects that this will happen before 2015.) So, you’ll definitely want to rid your site of Flash by then so that it can be viewed properly regardless of the platform. In the meantime, how quickly you remove/replace Flash elements on your website depends on your audience.

If you don’t get much mobile traffic to your site currently (check your analytics to find out), there’s not a huge need to update away from Flash. If, however, you are getting a fair amount of mobile traffic (or if you’re working on increasing mobile traffic), you’ll want to move more quickly.

If you’re ready to upgrade, HTML5 is the way to go. HTML5 improves the HTML language by (in part) making it universal across browsers and devices (smartphones, tablets, desktops). HTML5 is new enough, however, that many designers at Newport Beach web design firms don’t yet have experience with it. So before you begin, make sure you are working with an experienced Newport Beach web design company that can provide the best web design southern California has to offer – including HTML5 experience.

Typography is the use of type as a means to communicate with people. It is an art form that designers use to arrange their type on a page to make their designs visually appealing. There are various elements that go into Typography that designers should be familiar with.

Although many people use the word typeface and font interchangeable, there is a difference between the two.  A typeface is a set of letter within the same style. For example, Helvetica, Garamond, or Times New Roman are typefaces. When you have a specific typeface, it is called a font.  For example Helvetica 10pt is a font, or Garamond bold is also a font. Although the two may seem similar, it is important to know the difference between them.

One of the first essentials in typography is determining if a font is serif or san serif.  The difference between the two is very simple. Serifs fonts have serifs, which are strokes or lines on the end of a character. San Serif fonts do not have serifs. It is believed that serif fonts are easier to read when there is a lot of small text. That is why serif fonts are typically used on newspapers or books. San Serif fonts are great to use if you are designing something that does not require a lot of small text such as a heading or title.

A font family is another important element in typography to be familiar with. A font family consists of a group of related fonts. The family is made of up different font sizes, styles, and weight that you have to choose from for that typeface. For example, if you use the typeface Helvetia, you can choose from the font family to make you’re font 8 point Helvetica light.   

Another important element in typography is the x-height. The distance between the baseline and the mean line in a typeface is known as the x-height. X-height is important as it plays a role is a typefaces identification and readability. A typeface with large x-heights, are typically harder to read, as they appear to look more crowded whereas a typeface with a small x-height are typically easier to read.

Ascenders are another element in typography to be familiar with. They are the area of the letter that extends above the mean line of a font. For example, in the letter b, the ascender would be the portion that reaches above the o. A decender on the other hand, is the opposite of Ascenders. They are the portions of a letters that reaches below the baseline of a font. For example, in the letter g, the portion that reaches below the o of the letter.

Leading is one of the most important and commonly used elements in typography. Leading is the spacing between lines of type. Leading can be used to help the overall look of a design as well a way to make it easier to read. If you are working with a lot of type, increasing the leading can sometimes make it easier on the eyes to read.

As you can see, there are a lot of elements that go into typography. Although your Los Angeles graphic design team only scratched the surface, hopefully you have a better understanding of what is involved when working with type. 

The first website was published by Tim Berners-Lee. This websites did not have any layout design and contained strictly text with a few links to other pages. The inside pages were basically the same as the homepage with just headings and body text. The intent of first website was to inform people about the World Wide Web. Back then, there was no design to websites, but as time went on, websites quickly began to change. 

As people started using the Internet as a tool to market their businesses, the look of websites started to transpire. Designers were using a variety of features to make their websites look better and enhance the users experience. Web designers started working with code to make the text look better and eventually the next phase in web development came along, CSS. Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) allowed designers to style and format their text to make it more visually appealing. 

As web browsers and web languages began to evolve, the look, feel, and functionality of websites started to look better and become more user friendly. Websites started to have the capabilities to allow users to interact with them, which added an exciting element to website design. Websites became useful in more than just one way. They became a way to display information, communicate to customers, and help businesses grow. 

Now everywhere you turn, people are being directed to the Internet for more information about a company, product, or service. Websites are becoming cleaner and easier to use. The standards for what a website should offer has never been higher. Now a “good” website is not good enough, it needs to be “great”. Today if a user visits a site that looks like it was created 5 years ago, they tend to move onto the next. 
 

It is safe to say that although websites have evolved quickly in the past 15 years, they have opened up endless possibilities for the future in web design. Websites started with just text on a page and have turned into a necessary tool for businesses to grow. As society grows and technology continuing to advance, the world of web design will also continue to grow and transpire. The question is, where will it go from here? 

Where do we start? Every design must start with some sort of inspiration. If there is no inspiration, a designer can stare at a black screen for hours. Designers are constantly trying to find inspiration, as it is very important in every project. Inspiration can be found anywhere and in anything. Inspiration can come from a photograph, drawing, music, a vacation, food, sleeping, plants, and even shapes. No matter where the inspiration comes from, the outcome of the design can be breathtaking. Once designers have some sort of inspiration for their project, the design can begin.

Each designer is different and works in their own way, and that’s what makes designers so unique. There is not a “correct” way to work, as some designers work best with noise around them and some work better in silence, some begin by drawing out their ideas, some go straight to the computer, and some even talk out loud to themselves, or talk to others around them.  No matter how a designer strategizes or begins their work, the creativity of a designer seems limitless. Thoughts of which colors to use, where is whitespace needed, which typeface is best, where shapes or object should be placed, and much more are constantly going through a designers mind while they work. Once designer’s come up with what they feel is appropriate for the world to see, they go looking for feedback.

Every designer knows that once they share their ideas of the concepts they came up with other people, the critiquing begins. Depending on the feedback received, this process can be draining or exciting. Sometimes designers will agree with the comments and adjust their piece, and sometimes they do not. A designer knows that the work can go on forever on a project, as there can always be something to change. The real question we ask is, does this piece solve the problem we were trying to solve? If yes, then the design is successful, if no, then it’s back to the drawing board.

As a graphic design firm, we are constantly thinking about design, and what we can come up with next. We are inspired by the world around us. We look for ways to make an ordinary design, great. We are problem solvers, just in a creative way. 

Social media is here to stay
Social media is everywhere and it is not going away. People now turn to social media for all of their needs whether it is for the news, fashion trends, shopping deals, or even to find a date. There is no going back now, social media is the new way to find information and it is here to stay.

New dialogue

Social media has changed the way we communicate. It has created a new social language and brought the world together by opening the doors to endless networking and business opportunities. It allows up to stay connected with friends, family, and businesses at all times. There is now so much information at our fingertips that you can even find what your neighbor ate for lunch in a matter of seconds because of social media.

New ways of marketing

Social media is the quickest and easiest way to communicate a message.  If you want to send out information about a deal you found, how you are feeling, or news about your new company or product, it’s just a click away.  It has become the online marketing leader as companies can reach their target audience in no time. Because so many people are already using social media, finding people to listen has never been easier.

Social media has affected the way we communicate and do business. It has opened the doors to new a new way of life and is not going away. As society continues to evolve social media will continue change and impact our lives.  

Recycle

If you are going to throw something away, think twice before you do. Can this item be reused? If so, either reuse it, or put it in the recycle bin so someone else can.  Set up a recycling bin next to your desk or in your lunchroom as a reminder. Recycling can make a huge impact on our environment and it is so easy to do.

Turn off the lights

If you do not need the light on, then turn it off. Try opening up a window and drawing back the curtains to let some natural light in so you can let the light bulb relax. This is a very easy way to try and conserve energy, as well as save money. 

Walk or ride a bike

There is no need to drive your car to the store that is around the block if you do not absolutely have to. Get some exercise and fresh air by walking or riding your bike whenever you can to save on gas emissions from your car. 

Go paperless

Going paperless is another way for you to help out our environment. More and more companies are encouraging customers to use this service. You have the ability to view and pay your bills online without having to leave your house, how convenient.  You do not have to print so you save on paper and you do not have to drive so you save on gas. This is a continent and easy way to help out our environment.

Unplug unused appliances

This may come as a surprise to some, but if an appliance is plugged into the wall even if it is off, it is still using energy. Anytime you are not using your toaster, cell phone charger, computer, or TV unplug them because you will help save energy. Unplugging your appliances when they are not in use is a great way to conserve energy.  

1. Frontline

2. 3M Security Glass 

3. Clorets 

 4. Denver Water 

5. Against Abuse 

6. Craftsman 

7. Law and Order

 8. Pollution 

9. Big Pilot Watches

10. Spine Center 

Medium
Determine the medium on which you are using for your design.  What looks good in print does not always look the best on a computer screen. For example, if you are designing for the web, you want to make sure you use a web-friendly font.
 

Purpose

Different typefaces have different purposes so it is important to determine what it is that you want your type to do or say. Make sure to use a font that fits the audience you are trying to reach. 

Readability
The type you use needs to be easy to read. Increasing the leading, or space between lines is an easy way to help readability. Another way to help is to increase the tracking, or space between a group of letters. You also want to consider the font color. It is best to use contrasting colors to make the font stand out from the background.

Narrow your selection
You can spend hours going back and forth between hundreds of fonts, but if you narrow your selection you will save yourself lots of time.

Limit the number of typefaces
An important rule of thumb is remember is not use more than two typefaces. If you have to use more than one typeface, it is best to use one serif and one san-serif.  Adding too many typefaces can make your design look cluttered and disorganized. 

 1. Avoid lots of detail

Clean and simple logos are easier to recognize and usually scale better than logos with lots of detail. Your logo will be used across many different mediums so you want your logo to look just as good large as it does small. 

2. Use appropriate colors
Colors can evoke feelings and moods. Use colors that represent your business. For example red are usually associated with warnings and greens are usually associated with nature. 

3. Make your logo unique
Your logo needs to stand out from the competition. Do not be scared to try something new.

4. Typography is important
Do not use more than two fonts in your logo design. The font needs to be legible and appropriate for your company.   

This amazing festival will feature local restaurants where you will be able to taste fine cuisine, enjoy live entertainment, and even participate in a silent auction. Not only is this festival going to be a blast to attend, it is a great opportunity for businesses to increase their presence in the community. The best part of the entire event is that all proceeds will benefit Legal Aid Society of Orange County, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides civil legal assistance to low- and middle-income individuals.

Your Orange County Web Design firm is excited and honored to have been chosen to design and develop the website and marketing material for this great event. You can check out the Great Wine Festival at the Great Park website at www.greatwinefestival.com where you will be able to find out everything you need to know about this magnificent festival.

If you do not have weekend plans yet, don’t worry. Tickets and sponsorships are still available. Ticket Prices are $60 each.

So if you are looking for a great opportunity to market your business, or just looking for something fun to do, join your Orange County Graphic Design team as we support the Legal Aid Society of Orange County and attend the Great Wine Festival at the Great Park.