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Design

Design is the process of collecting ideas, and aesthetically arranging and implementing them for a specific purpose. Your website design is the hardest part of building your website, because it takes an eye for detail and an understanding of design principles.

Typography

Typography is what language looks like.

-Ellen Lupton

Terminology
Headline:  primary message, most likely the largest piece of text used
Subhead: additional context to the headline, not the smallest font on the page
Body/Paragraph: where the meat of the content lives. This font will be easy to read and smaller than the headline and subhead.
Font Classifications
Serif
feet on bottom of each letter
 
Serif can be used for headlines and paragraphs.
Examples include Times New Roman and Georgia.
Sans serif
without feet on bottom of each letter
Sans serif can be used for headlines and paragraphs.
Examples include Arial and Helvetica. 
Display
only used for headlines
 
Display fonts are more artistic than sans serif or serif and are only used for headlines as a way to draw the eye to the main sections.
Examples include Comic Sans, Cooper Sans.
How to Choose A Font
Rule of thumb: Rarely use more than two different fonts, especially if you don’t have a lot of design experience. Additionally, use a limited number of font sizes to maintain consistency and font hierarchy.
It’s very easy to overdo it. Simplicity is key. Use a hierarchy to guide the user through the content and stick to it. In order to determine if you’ve chosen the correct hierarchy, squint eyes tight and look at your text to see if there’s enough differentiation that you can easily identify headings, subheadings, and body text – if not, go back and check sizing.
Think back to the three words you chose...
Does your font match the theme of your event?

Color

I believe that color affects people’s moods.

- Lilly Pulitzer

Color is difficult. Don’t let it fool you. Choosing color is very hard. It isn’t easy to mix and match to create the right mood. Keep it simple. As you choose your colors, stick to choosing just three. You want to have enough color on your website that it’s visually pleasing, but not so much that it’s overwhelming. 
Terminology
Primary Color: The most prominent color within a design.
Secondary Color: A contrasting color. It is used to draw attention and drive primary actions on the page, such as click here or read more. 
Accent Color: Color that is there to add splash of color as needed.
Color and Their Meanings
RED
Color of passion and drama
Attracts the most attention
Stimulating, vibrant, and exciting
Company that uses it: Coca-Cola
ORANGE
Color of encouragement
Excitement, enthusiasm, and warmth
Company that uses it: Home Depot
YELLOW
Color of optimism
Success and confidence
Youthful and full of energy
Company that uses it: Ikea
GREEN
Color of growth and health
Refreshing and peaceful
Secure and safe 
Company that uses it: Starbucks
BLUE
Color of trust
Tranquility, serenity, peace
Loyalty, integrity 
Company that uses it: Facebook
PURPLE
Color of sophistication
Sensitivity, compassion
Characteristics of quality and luxury
Company that uses it: Hallmark

Imagery

The whole point of taking pictures is so that you don’t have to explain things with words.

- Elliot Erwitt

Without images, your website would be all text. But what kind of imagery is right for your event? There are three main types: photos, illustrations, and icons. 
Photos
Photos are the most relatable because when we can see people or situations, we can relate to them. There are multiple ways to use photos. You can use a photo background, which would be in the hero section of the page (the large space at the top of a website that is often a giant picture). You can also use inline photos, which exist on the page, but don’t fill the entire page.
Illustrations
Illustrations can be used to help explain complex scenarios. If your event is a conference about a highly technical product or industry, you might want to use an illustration. They help represent abstract concepts in a way that photos can’t.
Icons

Icons are illustrations in their simplest form. They are often used to represent a single idea and can add a lot to the page, visually. Icons are used to indicate contact us, social media, and more. 

 

Icons represent a single idea.

Picture Resources

01

build

Learn about the types of event websites, the elements of a web page, and what elements can be incorporated.
Read : Build

02

design

Three elements of design: typography, color, and imagery. Learn how they convey the event theme, tone, and more.
Read : Design

03

principles

An event website should be intuitive and functional. Gain an understanding of basic design principles.

Read : Principles

04

how-to

No coding experience needed. Learn how to create a professional event website using a drag-and-drop site designer.
Read : How To

Interested in trying it out?

Start your free trial today and let us show you how Cvent technology empowers you to build truly stunning event websites. If you have questions about the technology or solutions, Cvent has an expert team ready to answer any questions you may have.