Website and App Design – Guidelines for Successful Projects

Great design begins not with visuals, but with vision. Discover how strategic planning sets the foundation for a successful project.

Last updated

17. August 2023.

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Every successful digital product — whether it’s a website, app, or platform — starts with a clear vision and a carefully crafted design. This stage is the foundation on which both functionality and visual appeal are built.

Whether you already have an established brand or are starting from scratch, the key lies in asking the right questions and making strategic decisions from the very beginning.

Redesign or a brand-new design?

One of the first questions to consider is: does your brand need a redesign or an entirely new solution? If you already have a website or app, it’s important to evaluate whether it’s functional and aligned with your brand identity.

When to consider a redesign:

  • The design looks outdated and doesn’t meet modern standards.
  • The user experience (UX) is not intuitive enough.
  • The brand has evolved, and the design no longer reflects the company’s values.

When to start from scratch:

  • You’re launching a new project or entering a new market.
  • You don’t have a defined visual identity.
  • The existing systems are too complex to adapt.

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Brand Identity as the Foundation of Design

Design is not just about aesthetics — it’s about how your brand communicates with its audience. Before moving on to the creation of a website or app, it’s essential to define or refresh your brand identity.

Defining brand identity includes:

Logo and colors: Does your logo reflect your brand’s values? Are the colors aligned with the message you want to convey?

Typography: The typeface should be legible, distinctive, and consistent with the visual identity.

Tone of voice: What kind of impression do you want to leave — serious, friendly, or perhaps innovative?

Investing in brand identity upfront simplifies all phases of design and ensures consistency across all communication channels.

Using the right tools can significantly ease the design process. Learn more in our article Stress-Free Web Design: Must-Have Tools.

Setting Priorities in Website or App Design

Once your brand identity is clearly defined, the next step is moving on to the design of the digital product. This involves identifying key goals:

  • What is the primary function of the website or app? Are you aiming to attract new users, increase sales, or provide support to existing clients?
  • Who is your audience? Understanding user needs and expectations is crucial for creating a design that resonates with them.

The design should be intuitive, visually appealing, and optimized for all devices.

 

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User Experience at the Heart of Every Design

Design shouldn’t just look good – it must work well, too.

Focusing on user experience (UX) ensures that visitors can easily find information, complete desired actions, and stay on your site longer.

It’s important to consider key elements that shape the user experience, such as:

  • Navigation: A simple and logical menu structure.
  • Loading speed: Users tend to leave pages that take too long to load.
  • Visual hierarchy: Important information should be highlighted and immediately visible.

Wireframes and Prototypes: A First Glimpse of the Design

Before the design becomes a reality, a wireframe is created — a visual outline showing the layout and structure of the pages.

This is your chance to:

  • Test functionality without investing in final visuals.
  • Make informed decisions about content priorities.
  • Ensure the design meets user needs.

Prototypes allow you to see the design in action and understand how users will interact with the website or app. This stage makes it easier to implement changes and adjustments.

Designing a website or app is a process that requires deep understanding of your brand, goals, and users. When the foundation is set right – from brand identity to early sketches – the result is a solution that not only looks great but performs even better.

If you’re looking for a professional design that follows the latest best practices and delivers outstanding user experience, explore our services on the Design page.