Happiness is a Luxury

Most web designers started out in print design or have a background in print. Even I started out in print. When you are used to print and you shift to web you will realize that the two are two different things.

In making print design you want you images with the highest possible resolution and you want your layout intact when you have your final output. Print means hard copy, something tangible that you can really hold in your fingers.

Web is very different. Your images should not be that be big so it would load faster. Layout is never permanent. I will look different with each browser. What looks good in Mozilla might not work with IE. Then there are the PC and Mac users.

When you are working with the client you should explain the different between the print and web. Clients tend to expect to have the same exact result as the print out. You should explain that there are pros and cons with a certain design like if they want a particular layout font or design this could mean low download speed and high maintenance.

In designing for the web you should consider what your client is using whether if is PC or Mac. You should also consider the target market what size of monitor will be using. Not everyone surfs the net with 19 inch monitor. Never forget to test and retest your design. Your layout may look you in IE but not in Mozilla.

With the help of CSS you could achieve precise layout but it never be as exact as print.