Designing websites to effectively and practically respond to user needs, while also being compatible with all devices in terms of functionality, is of great importance. Experts state that with the pandemic, the fundamental cyclical operations within our digitalized routine life are largely carried out through web or application-based platforms, emphasizing that in such an environment, user-friendly web design is needed more than ever. Prof. Dr. Emre Tandırlı stresses the importance of creating different, creative, and pioneering designs, moving away from cliché standard page templates, to reach digital users.
Website design must be creative, different, and pioneering
Prof. Dr. Emre Tandırlı from Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Communication, Department of Visual Communication Design, shared important points to consider and avoid when designing websites today.
Rules to be followed are being updated
Prof. Dr. Emre Tandırlı stated that the concept of user-friendly web design should fundamentally be defined as correct web design, saying, “The basic rules that must be observed and adhered to are the same for effectively and practically responding to user needs, as well as for presenting fundamental aesthetic values visually and functionally in a balanced way. With the advent of developing technology, internet speed, and innovative solutions like user interaction, these rules are also reiterated and updated. Therefore, it would be more appropriate to define them as parameters rather than rules and to address them categorically.”
There is a harmonious link between functionality and visual aesthetics
Prof. Dr. Emre Tandırlı stated that in web-based and mobile application-based digital design, there is a correlated, balanced, and harmonious link between two overarching sets of values: functionality and visual aesthetics. He said, “Roughly, within the framework of these two umbrella paradigms, the parameters that need to be adhered to can be expressed as follows: reflecting the information, products, and services offered in a manner consistent with the corporate identity of their origin, which is possible with a visual aesthetic sensibility that considers basic design principles. Furthermore, creating the necessary hardware and IT infrastructures for this digital offering to work fully compatibly on all devices is also a very important issue in terms of functionality.”
User-friendly web design is needed
Prof. Dr. Emre Tandırlı stated that the concept of user-friendliness is inevitably closely associated with functionality, not just in web design but in all design fields, and continued his words as follows:
“It is evident that especially with the pandemic, the fundamental cyclical operations within our digitalized routine life are largely carried out through web or application-based platforms. Indeed, it is a point on which all scientists agree that developments in this direction of digitalization will continue to increase. In such an environment, we can say that user-friendly web design, in other words, prioritizing usability, is needed more than ever before. Furthermore, what is equally needed is the realization of competent design in every sense – lean, simple, and understandable – with the aim of creating an effective and accurate communicative platform. This is made possible by organizing visual elements such as color, typography, and similar components in accordance with basic design principles and aesthetic sensibility parameters.”
Being creative and pioneering in design is essential
Emphasizing that a balanced approach in terms of usability and aesthetic elements must be adopted for user-friendly web design, Prof. Dr. Emre Tandırlı said, “It is essential that the information, products, or services offered through websites or mobile applications respond to users' needs in the fastest and most effective way. At this point, we encounter a powerful design area called the interface in websites and mobile applications, which creates a psychological impact on the user's perception. Especially in the post-pandemic era, the dizzying speed at which the number of digital users is increasing, and the equally increasing digital supply, necessitate new quests and openings in interface design. Indeed, the increasing digital supply also triggers competition among institutions. Therefore, it is necessary to resort to unavoidable methods such as being different, being a pioneer, and being creative in design.”
Breaking free from standard designs is essential
Prof. Dr. Emre Tandırlı said, “Reaching digital users and satisfying them is possible not only with a flawless IT infrastructure but also by breaking free from cliché standard template page designs, moving a step beyond the standard, providing different, easy, practical solutions, and offering creative and aesthetic design innovations. Only with such an artistic and design touch can institutions add value to their identities, make an impact in society, and elevate their success.”
Advanced sites can be built thanks to internet speed
Prof. Dr. Emre Tandırlı reminded that internet connection speed is gradually increasing today compared to 20-25 years ago, saying, “Thanks to this, instead of similar, cliché template websites as in the past, websites can now be established that allow for high-resolution data presentation of all kinds of audio and visual content. The rich content offered can be easily and quickly created with colorful, different, creative, and interactive design solutions. This rapid development brings about the gradual migration of many operations physically carried out in daily life to the virtual realm. Consequently, the rules to be followed and avoided in the design of this environment, which is transferred to the virtual space, are also being updated, undertaking the task of continuously adapting itself to the genetics of next-generation devices.”
Websites should be designed to be compatible with mobile devices
Prof. Dr. Emre Tandırlı from Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Communication, Department of Visual Communication Design, concluded his words by stating that it is necessary to avoid usage-oriented and cliché standard templates:
“It is necessary to lean towards interface designs that bring together elements such as color, shape, emblem, typography, etc., consistent with corporate identity, with aesthetic sensitivity, and also offer creative, innovative, and practical ease of use solutions as mentioned above. Another point that should not be overlooked is the rapid increase in the use of smart devices like mobile phones or tablet computers. According to the results of Google's 'The Mobile Movement: Understanding Smartphone Users' research, the average smartphone usage rate has exceeded 70%. 81% of smartphone owners surf the internet, 77% perform searches, 68% use mobile applications, and 48% watch videos on their phones. 72% of smartphone owners follow other media channels with their smartphones while watching television. 93% of smartphone owners use their phones even at home. Another result of the research shows that, compared to 5-10 years ago, for example, we now carry out our banking transactions entirely through mobile applications, not web-based platforms. From this point, the digital web/application platform to be created should be designed with a mobile device usage-focused approach, prioritizing the application aspect by 70% to 95% depending on the digital supply-demand category.”