Articles

Cookies and privacyNicolaus Marinov

Cookies and consent: when should visitors have a real choice?

The earlier article presented a 2017 regulatory proposal as though cookie obligations had already disappeared. That conclusion is not a suitable current guide. Assess how the website actually works rather than simply adding a warning box.

Responsive web designNicolaus Marinov

What does responsive web design mean?

Responsive web design adapts the layout to the screen and the available space. The same content may be arranged differently on a phone, tablet and large monitor so it remains readable and usable everywhere.

Email senderNicolaus Marinov

WordPress email: setting the sender name and address

Website notifications should be recognisable: customers should know who sent them and where they can reply. You can replace the default WordPress sender with your own verified name and address.

Identity redesignNicolaus Marinov

Lessons from Uber’s 2016 identity redesign

This article looks at the Uber identity introduced in 2016 as a historical example, not as the company’s current logo. That change offers useful questions to consider when an established service develops a new visual language.

Identity guideNicolaus Marinov

Why do you need an identity guide?

A logo alone does not explain how the next publication, campaign or website should look. An identity guide describes the design system in practical terms and maintains consistency when other designers, printers or developers work with it.

Links and SEONicolaus Marinov

Link building and search optimisation: SEO foundations

Content, technical operation and links are connected in SEO. The old advice to collect as many links as possible and repeat keywords constantly is misleading. A useful answer to the visitor’s intent matters more than an artificially inflated count.

New or old domain?Nicolaus Marinov

New or older domain: what should you consider?

A domain’s age does not reliably predict its search performance. A name reserved years ago but never used is not the same as a maintained website offering useful content. Consider memorability, history and business purpose together.

Logo and identityNicolaus Marinov

How identity design and a logo relate

A good logo can recall experiences associated with a brand, but it cannot replace the entire visual identity. It is the central mark; colour, typography, imagery and usage rules make the surrounding appearance consistent.

LYFE Floating plantNicolaus Marinov

LYFE: a floating plant and considered product design

LYFE combines a floating planter with technology and nature-inspired product design. The original article introduced the concept during its 2016 crowdfunding phase.

Preferred web addressNicolaus Marinov

Your preferred web address: with or without www?

www and HTTP are not alternatives. www may be part of the hostname; HTTP is a transfer protocol, and HTTPS is its encrypted form. The choice is whether your secure primary address should include www.

CMYK coloursNicolaus Marinov

CMYK: how the printing colour system works

CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow and black printing inks. This is subtractive colour mixing: ink absorbs part of the incoming light, and we see the light reflected from the paper. Black supports dark tones and the reproduction of fine detail.

Website planningNicolaus Marinov

Website planning: from a first impression to a useful experience

A good website expresses a business’s character while helping visitors take the next step. The homepage should quickly explain what you offer, who you help and how to contact you. Visual design attracts attention; understandable content sustains it.