Diagram Views | Design
Design | Follow along as we share our thoughts, perspectives, industry trends and insights. After all, good ideas want to be freed.
The Digital World’s Hidden Cost: Rethinking Energy in the Age of AI
The internet runs on energy. Learn how AI, data centers, and websites impact the planet—and what we can do to build a greener web.
Don’t Play Politics with Accessibility
While recent presidential actions may undermine and eliminate DEI efforts, don't ignore web accessibility standards.
How to Optimize Images for Better Website Performance
Learn to optimize your site with responsive images, modern formats, and lazy loading to improve performance and user experience.
User Onboarding Process: Guiding Visitors Through Your Website
We offer some tips on how to design a website in a way that helps users intuitively understand how to use it to accomplish their goals.
Quality Assurance and the Hidden Realm of Backronyms
Diagram's Kevin Apgar shares key touchpoints when it comes to remembering your own quality assurance efforts.
How to Decrease Page Load Time and Improve Site Performance
In order to help you understand how to resolve the issues that may be causing website performance issues, we’ve compiled a list of tips for how to build your site for performance in a way that provides the best experience for your users.
Structured Ideation: Tips for Better Creative Brainstorming
How do you get the best ideas from your team? Through creative brainstorming. By understanding the value of structured ideation, you can use your brainstorming sessions to unlock the creativity of your team.
When Should You Do Usability Testing?
Learn how performing user testing throughout a website redesign project can help designers create the best user experience for a website.
Should I Do My Own Website Usability Testing?
We look at whether it's a good idea for website owners to perform their own user testing and offer some ideas on how to gain UX insights.
5 Tips to Diagnose UX Issues on Your Website
User experience (UX) is a key component to a successful website. Follow these 5 tips to diagnose and fix simple UX issues on your website.
Web Accessibility, Section 508, and Your Web Project
Learn the need-to-knows of Website Accessibility, Section 508, and what your obligations are as a designer, developer or website manager.
Episerver Content Accessibility Mistakes to Avoid!
Diagram's Kevin Apgar shares common content accessibility mistakes and how to avoid them using Episerver.
Here's Why You Should Inline Critical CSS to Reduce Load Time
Using inline CSS on critical page elements helps to speed up load time.
4 Key Rules for Great Responsive Web Design
We look at what web designers should keep in mind when designing websites to be accessible to users across every device and screen size.
4 Tips for Building User Empathy Into Your Website
Learn the importance of building user empathy into your website and how to incorporate user research when building out your website.
Skeleton Screens: Giving Body to Your Content
Diagram's Nick Melville shares how Skeleton Screens are used to enhance the user experience while a page loads.
How to Create Section 508 Compliant Content in Episerver
We share some valuable tips for how to make sure the content you create in Episerver meets Section 508 standards.
Which Comes First Content or Design?
Which comes first: content or design? This dilemma can feel a lot like a chicken or the egg debate. So let’s unpack this conundrum, starting with the answer...
Gathering Requirements in an Agile World
Diagram's Nick Melville shares the importance of gathering various requirements in an Agile project.
Using User Context to Improve Site Navigation
The best way to improve navigation on your website is to consider your content, your users, and their context. Learn about the ways people search for and discover information in this article.
Aligning Values to Drive Your Projects Towards Success
Diagram's Britney Na shares how we use value mapping and value sorting to align stakeholder values to drive projects towards success.
How Can I Find Section 508 Issues on My Website?
We share some tips on how to check your website for common accessibility issues.
How to Build Into a Website Performance and Speed
We offer some helpful tips on how to design a website that loads quickly and provides a good experience across all devices and screen sizes.
3 Things To Remember When Working To Improve Website Performance
We share some of the insights we gained by working on a redesign that would reduce page load time for a client's product pages.
UX Tales of Terror: Don't Get Spooked by these UX Nightmares
Read our haunting stories that will keep you up at night, if you dare. Experience the horror of UX Tales of Terror!
CSS Grid vs. Flexbox: Definitions and Differences
Diagram's Derrik Engel shares the definitions and differences between CSS Grid and Flexbox.
What Is Section 508 and Why Do I Need to Be Compliant?
We look at how Section 508 sets standards for websites to ensure everyone can use them, even if they have physical disabilities.
10 Questions You’re Too Embarrassed to Ask a Developer
Nobody wants to appear dumb when talking to technical people, so here are some answers to questions that you might have been wary about asking.
QA & You: The Testing Handoff
Diagram's Kevin Apgar shares the importance of quality control testing and how to prepare for a handoff.
Improve Your Google Page Speed by Optimizing Your Images
PageSpeed Insights is popular among companies when gauging the performance of their site for users. Let's look at improving your score with image optimization.
Content Best Practices: Tips to Achieve a More Successful Page
Content managers have a great deal of power over a website. We share some tips for how to format content to provide the best experience for every user.
QC & You: Setting Up a Device Lab
With a plethora of devices and operating systems, we share the importance of having a device lab for Quality Assurance/Quality Control testing.
QA & You: The Importance of Quality Control to Your Website
We share the importance of having a dedicated quality control and quality assurance support during your website project.
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG): The Whats, Wheres, Whys, and Hows
Images on websites have traditionally used raster graphics such as GIF, JPEG, or PNG types. With high density displays and responsive web design necessitating more flexibility, SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) files offer better way to decorate the user interface.
Marketing Personas vs. Design Personas: What's the Difference?
Learn the fundamental distinctions between marketing personas, design personas and how they can each help you.
A Web Design Glossary: 22 Common Terms Explained
We share and define 22 web design terms that are commonly used in the industry.
Tips on Using HubSpot's Design Manager for Page Creation
We share several tips for page creation using HubSpot's Design Manager.
Case Study: Leveraging User Testing for Web Design Decisions
You understand that user research is a good thing to do, but maybe you are not totally convinced that you should do user research for your own work.
Using Wayfinding to Design Intuitive Navigation
We look at how to implement the principles of wayfinding to help people intuitively navigate a website to find information and accomplish tasks.
Using Proto-Personas To Focus On User Needs In Website Design
During the Discovery phase of a website redesign project, we develop proto-personas to delve into specific user scenarios and behaviors.
UX Tips: Improving Content Clarity By Making Content Scannable
We share three tips for creating scannable content that makes it easier for people to find the information they are looking for and engage with your website.
Creating Accessible Websites: A Designer’s Perspective
When designing websites, don't forget about users with disabilities! We share some of the insights that we've learned from creating accessible websites.
Moving From UX to CX: Lessons Learned From the DX Summit
After attending CMSWire's Digital Experience (DX) Summit, we came away with some valuable insights about the future of customer experience (CX).
What Are Progressive Web Apps?
We look at how Progressive Web Apps can provide an enhanced experience for mobile users without the need for installing a separate app.
A Graphic Design Perspective: 4 Tips for Choosing the Best Images
We look at 4 things to consider from a graphic design perspective when choosing the images you'll be using in your marketing materials.
A Marketer's Perspective: 3 Tips for Choosing the Best Images
We share some tips for choosing the images that meet the needs of your marketing efforts.
Is Growth-Driven Design the Best Approach for a Website Project?
We look at HubSpot's approach to Growth-Driven Design and discuss when it is and isn't the best approach for redesigning websites.
4 Ways to Create Seamless Responsive Content With Episerver
We look at the tools Episerver provides to help content editors ensure their site provides a good experience for users no matter what device they use.
Structuring Website URLs for CMS Websites: Best Practices
What's the best way to structure your site's URLs? We look at some best practices to follow to provide the best experience for your users.
Tutorial Time: Adjusting Brightness and Contrast Using Photoshop
We share step-by-step instructions for using Photoshop to find the perfect levels of brightness and contrast in your images.
UI Won't Fade Away Anytime Soon
We look at how UX principles fit into the current trend for "invisible" user interfaces.
Questions You Need to Address During Mobile Discovery
A list of the top questions you need to ask and things you need to consider when planning a discovery project or optimizing for mobile.
Resolving Mobile Usability Errors in Google Webmaster Tools
Learn how to diagnose and resolve issues with mobile usability that may be negatively affecting your website's search rankings.
5 Key Principles of User-Centered Design
We look at how to make sure to consider the user when creating websites, rather than designing for ourselves.
Content Procrastination: Don’t Do It!
Ensure a successful and timely launch of your redesign project by putting together a proper content strategy first.
Understanding the True Purpose of Information Architecture
Information Architecture is about more than just creating a site map. Learn about how it involves page design, user experience, and more.
Developing Sustainable Design Systems
Thoughts on moving from page centric design to a modular system of components, and then developing a sustainable design system.
How Not to Use HTML Headings
Learn the correct way that both content authors and designers should use headings in online content.
Thinking About the Content Author During QA
Learn why Quality Assurance (QA) should be about not just finding errors on a website, but ensuring that content authors can get the most out of it.
When Separate Mobile Sites Make Sense
Is responsive design or a separate mobile site the best next step for your company? Let's look at a few scenarios when a separate mobile site may be in your best interest.
User Testing: Reconciling What People Say and What They Do
People aren't always completely honest in user testing, often through no fault of their own. We look at how to get the best insights anyway.
Understanding the Limitations of a Responsive Retrofit
A responsive retrofit can be a solution to implement responsive design without doing a full website redesign, but be sure to understand the limitations.
Streamlining the HTML Prototyping Process
Learn about the tools and processes Diagram uses when creating prototypes of the websites we design.
Modular Web Design: Designing With Components
Learn how utilizing modular design can increase design consistency, accommodate a wider variety of content, and streamline your workflow.
Debunking Common Myths About Responsive Design
Many people have misconceptions about what Responsive Design is and what it isn't. We clear up some of the common myths surrounding the subject.
The Complexity of Simple
Keeping your website simple is one of the best ways to improve your users' experience, but doing so can be more complex than you might think.
Henry Ford and Responsive Frameworks
Responsive Frameworks provide a way to quickly build responsive websites, but are they the best solution?
What I’ve Learned from Performing Cross-Browser Testing
Testing a website across multiple browsers is an important part of the Quality Control process. Here are some helpful tips for cross-browser testing.
3 Ways Discovery Can Save You Money
Learn how Discovery can not only help you determine how to improve your website, but also save money for your company.
Discovery Can Improve Your Website and Entire Company
Learn why Discovery is essential not just for planning a website redesign, but for improving communication and collaboration throughout your company.
How Breadcrumbs Can Improve a Website’s User Experience
Learn how breadcrumbs are an essential tool to help users navigate a site, find the information they need, and understand how it is structured.
Website Redesigns Don’t Have to Be Scary
Learn how WSOL's design and development processes can alleviate any fears you might have about the lengthy, complex process of redesigning your website.
3 Things to Consider When Planning a Website Rebuild
A website redesign often requires a rebuild of the site's code. When doing so, you'll need to consider Scalability, Flexibility, and Accountability.
3 Reasons Discovery Might Not Lead to the Best Results
Learn how to make sure the findings and goals from the Discovery phase of a project remain relevant throughout the entire process.
Redesign or Rebuild? Which Does Your Website Need?
You might think you just need to do a visual redesign of your site, but do you need to dig deeper and rebuild the site's code?
When Bad Design Makes Sense
When elements of a design come together in harmony it feels like pure and total bliss. But as designers there are times when it’s our duty to work against our own intuition, and at the expense of our own bliss, because sometimes bad design decisions make good sense.
Using Element Collages to Improve the Design Process
Diagram's Design Team is continually refining our design process. Learn how Element Collages help us explore options to find the best design approach.
Can a Silver Bullet Save a Unicorn?
Learn why it's better to use the best available tools and technologies to meet your website's goals rather than trying to chase perfection.
Structuring Navigation for Higher Education Websites
Managing the website for a higher education institution can be challenging when trying to meet the needs of diverse audiences. Start your site off right with the proper navigation for your audience.
Strategic Iterative Improvements in Site Redesign
If you're not quite ready to invest the time and money in redesigning your entire site, consider this alternate approach.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Using Responsive Design Responsibly
Is Responsive Design always the best solution for mobile websites? We look at how it should and shouldn't be used.
Optimizing for Touch
Optimizing for mobile does not mean optimizing for touch. Make your site more touch friendly with our 5 tips.
What You Need to Understand Before Embarking on a Site Redesign
You might think you're ready to redesign your website, but first you need to look beyond its surface. Let us help you learn how.
What’s the Best Way to Use Carousels and Sliders?
Rotating homepage banners (a.k.a. sliders or carousels) are common on websites, but how useful are they, and what is the best way to use them?
Responsive Design vs. Mobile Websites: What’s the Difference?
There are many options when it comes to a mobile strategy for your business, make sure you understand the pros and cons before making a decision.
Beyond Multichannel
Your customer's form an impression of your brand based on their experiences across channels. With increasing expectations for anywhere anytime access to your products, services and support, I hope you're doing better than my post office!
Why Cross-Browser Testing is an Important Part of QC
During the Quality Control phase of a web design and development project, cross-browser testing is vital. Find out why and how to implement this test.
Industry Navigation: Two Approaches to IA
When planning the information architecture of your website you must consider your users. Here we dive into two industries and their different considerations.
Large vs. Small: Responsive Sites for Many Screens
When designing for responsive sites there can be many challenges, Diagram covers the top concepts to consider when you start designing your website content for a responsive site.
Designing for Large Screens
In a world where mobile has been hogging all the spot light,
Diagram has taken time to shine some light on the intricacies of designing for
large screens.
Your vs. My: Creating a Conversational Interface
When it comes to talking to users, many sites end up tongue-tied, having trouble keeping focus on who is talking to whom. Here are a few tips on how to refer to your users, and when to use "your" vs. "my" in your interface.
7 Reasons Why You Need Discovery
Discovery is a critical step toward paving your project's success. Here are seven reasons why.
A More Flexible Workflow
Learn how we adapted our design process workflow to include more prototyping, better design conversation, and new types of deliverables.
The Accessibility Objective
Think of accessibility not as a feature, but as an objective. When accessibility is your objective, you're reaching for the future.
Embrace the Scroll
Understand how user behavior and multiple screen sizes are changing perceptions about scrolling. Space out your content in an engaging way
Envisioning a Responsive Future
People often ask about what the current standard width for websites
is these days. But rules of thumb like this no longer apply, and perhaps
they never did.
Why Discovery is Essential
A guide to building a blueprint to help make your website design project a success.
