Designers! Get over your hate of IE

I get into this a lot. Is Internet Explorer terrible? Truthfully, it's irrelevant — it's the #1 browser.

I get into debates on whether or not it's even the #1 browser. I say yes, according to Wikipedia and a lot of other sources. Some swear by w3schools.com, like my twitter buddy @pissmeoffand, (after all, it does come up #1 on Google. coincidence... probably not), but if you look in the fine print, it states: These statistics are based on W3Schools users.

Wikipedia takes the data from 6 reliable stat services. There is a discrepancy between the two sites, but honestly, I'm more inclined to go with the majority on this one, and all say that IE leads by quite a bit. Some designers are down right shocked that IE is the #1 browser. Why? It's been that way for over 5 years and Windows is still the best selling OS out there, of which IE is packaged.

So, it's probable that w3schools.com stats don't match the others because a lot of developers do in fact hate IE. Again, totally moot.

But, for the sake of conversation, let's assume w3schools.com is right and that IE is the #2 browser.

If you're a front or back end developer, and you don't design for the #2 browser, and yes, I've seen sites simply not work at all, you're alienating almost 40% of users. This isn't good for your client's SEO and their users certainly can't get their information. Of course, if you're targeting designers and you know that most of them are on Firefox, you may be able to get away without optimizing for IE.

Honestly, it's a mistake either way. If you hate IE, get over it. This is business; it's not personal. Design for your client's target audience and be sure your design can be viewed decently across all the major browsers.

Happy designing!

Simplify

Here are a few of my favorite quotes of all time, from Henry David Thoreau:

"Be true to your work, your word, and your friend."
~ Henry David Thoreau

"Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life. Aim above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something."
~ Henry David Thoreau

"Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify."
~ Henry David Thoreau

I think the last one is my favorite of all time, and absolutely applies to design of all types.

Simplify.

New website launched: Interiors Revisited, servicing areas in and around Newark and Wilmington Delaware

We launched a new website today for an interior design company, Interiors Revisited. It was such a pleasure!

www.interiorsrevisited.com

With matching business cards to boot!

Web Design & Font Selection

Some people are tired of the same old fonts on web sites.

Fonts were created for particular purposes, either for print or on screen viewing.Verdana has great on-screen visibility (of course now we know it is being redesigned for print media also) and that is why it has always been a great font to use for the web.

On the other hand, we know that if we use fancy fonts, most consumers won't be able to view the site as intended without downloading them. People actually did download fonts in the '90s, but as you know, consumers don't want to be burdened with that; they want information fast. We are limited in what fonts we can use to make sure everyone is getting the same user experience across different platforms. I have seen fonts used online and elsewhere that are so fancy I can't even read what it says. Sure, it lends itself to the overall look and feel of the design, but it lacks function.

Here is a great chart that shows the percentage of web users who have what font: Font Reliability.

Of course, we can use fonts for headlines and what and make them graphics, but then that puts the site at a SEO disadvantage.

Click here for another great article about web & type.

New website launched: DMS Solution, Wilmington Delaware

We launched a new website today for an accounting company, DMS Solution, located in Wilmington Delaware. Take a look!

www.dmssolutioncpa.com

Logo & web design by teakettica