10 Guidelines for Designing Your Site’s AI Chatbots

Summary:  Helpful site-specific AI chatbots clearly state their capabilities, offer relevant prompt suggestions, and quickly signal they know what users are looking at. AI chatbots are increasingly becoming a standard feature on many websites. As more sites adopt them, the question is not only whether to have one — it’s how to design one so… Continue reading 10 Guidelines for Designing Your Site’s AI Chatbots

Good Visual Design, Explained

Summary:  To create appealing designs, align type and elements to a grid, build a clear visual hierarchy, use color intentionally, and stay consistent with every design choice. In this 3rd article in the anatomy-of-good-design series, I explain visual-design principles that contribute to good-looking designs, with real-site examples. How something looks does affect the perception of… Continue reading Good Visual Design, Explained

Branding 101: Creating the Visual Identity for Your Business

There are so many things to think about when first starting a business. What will your business offer? How will this differ from existing solutions? Who will benefit most from your offering? And why are you so passionate about this? If you haven’t done so yet, work through this exercise to come up with your… Continue reading Branding 101: Creating the Visual Identity for Your Business

Can Design Systems Work for Freelancers?

There’s a lot riding on your shoulders as a freelance designer. You have to play the part of salesperson, project manager, web designer, accountant, and more. That’s why it’s critical to develop more efficient ways to work while maximizing results. One way that agencies and even small teams of designers do this is through design… Continue reading Can Design Systems Work for Freelancers?

10 Spooky Designs to Get You Inspired This Halloween

Is the eerie spirit of Halloween haunting your designs? Find spooky inspiration in these ten ghoulish illustrations, videos, and photos. From Polish artist Piotr Jabłoński’s off-kilter and unnerving fantasy paintings to Caley Hicks’ cutesy take on Halloween themes, you’re sure to find something here to get you in the spooky mood. Looking for spine-chilling photos,… Continue reading 10 Spooky Designs to Get You Inspired This Halloween