The Design Files – Designing for Digital

We’re currently in the midst of an unprecedented and unremitting technology boom, which has us spending more time online and on more devices than ever before. For companies, this means that establishing a digital presence has moved from being an encouraged addition to an all out necessity. The design process for a digital format requires several key considerations that differ from designing for print pieces. Whether you’re launching a website, formatting a company blog or creating digital collateral pieces, make sure you answer these three questions:
1.) Is it responsive?
More so than ever, optimizing a website for mobile is a feature many can’t afford to do without. Roughly 40% of mobile device users will not visit a website that isn’t mobile friendly. One of the easiest ways to rectify this issue in the design process is by ensuring the site is responsive. By this, we mean that the site will scale to fit any screen, regardless of size. Even without a dedicated mobile site, a responsive design will ensure that your website will display properly on any device.
2.) Is your branding consistent?
It should go without saying that branding needs to be consistent across all mediums but with an increasing amount of digital outlets, it can be difficult to adhere to a specific design aesthetic. While a company blog or social media site may reflect a more informal side to your organization, it still needs to obey the established brand standards. Another consideration that can often be overlooked is updating branding across all platforms. Particularly after a rebranding, it’s vital to ensure that every outlet be updated with the new design.
3.) Is it customized?
It’s got your logo on it so it’s customized, right? Well, not entirely. Digital platforms present a fantastic opportunity for customization so that every last detail looks personalized to perfection. This could be as easy as customized buttons on a website or branded tabs on Facebook. It can be tempting to employ use of stock or template designs for their cost efficiency and ease of access. However, remember that these designs are available for anyone to use so while it may be a cheaper alternative to customization, it will inevitably cost you in brand integrity.