There are a lot of things you can do with texture in web design, and it’s always an inspiring challenge to think of interesting ways of utilizing them. One of my favorite inspiration methods is nature, and what a better way to use nature in web design than to look at alternative views of nature through texture.

I’ve collected 40, relatively large textures created by nature under the categories of rock, leaves, water, ice, wood, animal skins/fur, feathers, grass, and sand. With the shapes, depth, and color nature can create on it’s own, using these textures to create art is only a small step away.

Alignment is one of the most important features in design in that it adds to the organization and usability of a web page. Even with all other elements in good condition, such as a great use of color, effective use of typography, and visually appealing balance, a bad use of alignment can make a website layout look cluttered.

While most designers understand this principle, many don’t see that they’re not achieving it effectively. I will go over the basics of alignment in this article, but also be sure to use specific examples and ideas for designers who have a grasp of alignment, to achieve an even better understanding.

I’ve decided I’ve done enough design posts lately, so I’m here again with a post concerning website traffic. Today I’m going to focus on how to build long-term website traffic, with the power of exponential growth.

I am going to be focusing this post particularly on blogs rather than plain websites. Can a regular website gain traffic with this same method? Of course, but blogs are natural attractions for search engines and visitor growth, and so I’m focusing on blogs because there is so much more you can do with them to help the process along.

Logo design is an essential skill for any web designer to know, whether you sell designs professionally or just maintain your own website. It’s a great branding tool, and a great way for visitors to remember your website, or your client’s website.

I always seem to find two flaws relating to logos when web designers are just starting out. The first (and the worst) is when an aspiring professional designer does not understand the importance of a logo. Any client is going to want a logo implemented into their design, and it’s important to understand a logo’s great impact nonetheless. The second is when a new web designer tries to make a logo, but it’s not really a logo. It’s a banner, a header, or just an image.

Let’s define a bit better what a logo is, by defining the elements of a good logo.