Carrie Cousins

UX Design / 11 Jul 2022

5 Tips to Avoid Deceptive Patterns in Website Design

There’s nothing worse than something that auto-renews unexpectedly. Or finding yourself stuck in a website pattern that just doesn’t do what you want to expect.

These are deceptive patterns – user experience tricks and methods that force users into something unintended. It can include visual elements, interactivity, audio, motion, hidden sales, and more. And although commonly used, they are a bad idea.

Here’s how to avoid using deceptive patterns in website design, and some tips on better approaches to take!

Accessibility / 4 Jul 2022

10 Reasons Why Alt Text Matters

If you aren’t using meaningful alt text in website projects, you are committing a crime on the internet. This tiny element has a big function, and comes with a huge impact on usability, readability, and accessibility.

If you thought that alt text was only for the purposes of accessibility, think again. It can help Google better understand your content, provide important context for what your page is about, and help readers navigate.

Here’s a guide to creating alt text that will help create more impact and a better user experience on your website.

Trends / 27 Jun 2022

Design Trend: Almost Too Many Layers

Have you noticed this trend in website design: layers on layers? I feel like I’ve been seeing more of it everywhere recently, and it’s a polarising one!

This is a design technique that can range from amazing in terms of visuals and usability to disastrous quickly. It’s clear that there’s a middle ground where it works, but it’s very easy to go too far!

Here, we’ll look at some ways to use it most effectively and a little more about what this design trend is about.

Font Collections / 24 Jun 2022

How to Choose the Right Font for Readability

It’s an age-old question: What is the best font for a website design?

Depending on who you ask, you might get an answer that includes a specific typeface. (Designers will joke about using Helvetica for everything, but it’s doubtful as a best practice.)

The more likely question is this: What is the most readable font for a website design? And the answer is rooted in core design principles that can help you choose a beautiful, and highly readable, typeface.

Here’s how you choose the right font for readability (with examples of great font choices for inspiration).

Reviews / 21 Jun 2022

Ipbase: A Geolocation API Packed With Features and Data

Looking for a geolocation API that includes all the data you need in terms of global coverage? Look no further than ipbase.

ipbase is a feature-rich API that’s easy to use and has a free plan to help you discover how this tool can work for you. Plus, the accompanying documentation is extensive, and clear to understand. You’ll have no problem getting started.

Here, we’re going to take a look at ipbase, key features, and practical application of the tool.

Graphics / 23 May 2022

Brutalism: A New Trend in Web Design

Some designs aren’t polished and clean. They are rough, jarring and ragged. Yet they still work and communicate effectively. This class of websites makes up the raw trend called brutalism.

While it is somewhat new to web concepts, it’s been around for decades as a popular technique for posters and art in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Today’s brutalism is starkly different from what you are used to seeing … and that’s why it’s likely to catch your attention. Let’s take a look at what it is (and I’ll share why I’m already over it!)

Trends / 16 May 2022

Design Trend: Animated Hero Elements

Motion is everywhere in website design. From full-on video to more subtle animations, these elements are a valuable tool in generating user interest and engagement. It can help you follow a trend, capture attention, or offer a more branded experience for your site.

Animated hero elements are an almost obvious trend, but there’s a lot of variance in how it’s done and what degree of success it may have.

Here, we’ll look at this website design trend, examples, and how to make it work for you.

Trends / 12 May 2022

Design Trend: Large Typography Scales

Words on the web just keep getting bigger and bigger. And that might be a good thing.

One of the biggest trends in website design right now is large typography scales. We’re not just talking bigger text in the hero image anymore. We are seeing larger type options for every part of the website design.

The result? Maybe a more readable web experience, and one that works in a better way, more often, for more people.

Here’s a look at the trend, with several examples to help you see large type in action!

Email Templates / 6 May 2022

10 Tips for Using (And Choosing) an Email Newsletter Template

You probably know that email newsletters can be one of the most effective methods of reaching people who want to connect with your organization or brand.

An email newsletter template can help you jumpstart the process with a semi-custom design with a visual dynamic that will keep subscribers clicking.

If you’ve never used an email template, they aren’t difficult to get to grips with. The toughest part might be choosing a design that you can customize easily and effectively.

Here are our tips for getting started!

Business Card Templates / 4 May 2022

5+ Tips for Using QR Codes on Your Business Cards

One of the hottest trends for business cards is adding QR codes to the design.

A QR code can provide an extra way to contact to access your contact information, website, or even a landing page or sales information. QR codes have re-emerged as a popular element to help drive online traffic from physical sources.

Here, we’ll look at five tips to help you make the most of using QR codes for business card design.

Bonus: Every example here includes a template from Envato Elements that you can download and use for your business card designs. Not sure where to generate your QR code? You can start with a free tool such as QR Code Generator.

Trends / 3 May 2022

Design Trend: Scrolling Text Elements

Almost everywhere you go online, there seems to be some sort of animated effect or element. Here’s one more trend in website design and animation: scrolling text elements.

You’ll know this trend the minute you see it because text elements will move on the screen. Sometimes this effect can help aid readability and understanding, whereas other times it is merely a design element. Either way, it’s an eye-catching effect that can help add a unique element to your design.

Let’s dive into this trend, its characteristics, and some examples.

Reviews / 3 May 2022

Manage Exchange Rates With Ease With Currencyapi

If you have a website that encompasses money, financial information, or exchange rates, you may benefit from currencyapi, a tool that handles exchange rate conversions for you.

One of the trickiest parts of exchange rates is knowing conversions in real-time, this API takes all the guesswork out of it for you with current and historical foreign exchange rate data. It’s a full-featured approach, wrapped in a really simple API system.

Here’s a look at the tool and how it can work for you.