Here's a thread showing how some of the most famous websites have evolved over the years, highlighting key differences and changes in design approach from then until now.

Hey everyone, I wanted to share some insights into what UX/UI designers actually do in web design. It’s a topic that often comes up in our community, so let’s break it down in a way that makes sense for anyone diving into web design. What’s the difference between UX and UI? UX (User Experience) is about how something feels when you use it. Whether it’s navigating a website, completing a form, or finding the right information, a good UX design makes the experience smooth and intuitive. UI (User Interface), on the other hand, focuses on how everything looks. It’s the visual layer—buttons, fonts, colors, and layouts—that sits on top of the user experience framework. Think of UX as the skeleton and UI as the skin that brings it to life. How do UX and UI work together? Great design happens when UX and UI work seamlessly. A UX designer maps out how a visitor should journey through the site, ensuring every step feels logical. The UI designer then styles this journey, making it visually appealing and easy to interact with. A good UX/UI designer will ask questions like: - How can we make this website easy to use? - Does this button stand out enough to click? - Where should the most important information go? Why does it matter? Poor UX/UI can frustrate visitors, and no one sticks around on a frustrating website. But a thoughtful design can guide users, build trust, and boost conversions. Remember, it’s not just about looking good; it’s about working well too. Tools of the trade Some popular tools UX/UI designers use include Figma, Adobe XD, and even Squarespace for simpler builds. But the real secret? Testing. Designers don’t just throw designs out there and hope for the best—they test, gather feedback, tweak, and repeat until it works. What can you take away from this? If you’re just starting out or building your own website with something like Squarespace, you don’t need to be a professional UX/UI designer to apply these principles. Here are a few practical tips to keep in mind:

Hi all 👋 We’ve had a few good questions about image compression in our coaching community (https://skool.com/pixelhaze-community), so let’s tackle why it’s still important and how to approach it—especially if you’re using platforms like Squarespace. Why Does It Matter? If your site loads slowly, visitors won’t stick around. Google notices this, too, and your rankings can take a hit. A faster site = happier visitors = better SEO. But the balance depends on your audience: - Quick purchases? Speed is everything. - Creative portfolios? Quality needs to shine, so don’t over-compress. My Workflow for Squarespace Here’s how I handle image optimization without overcomplicating it: 1. Crop Before Uploading: Use the Squarespace photo editor to trim down your images—no need to load what won’t be visible. 2. External Compression: I use Compressor.io to reduce file sizes without losing quality. 3. Organize Your Library: Keep compressed images in a folder within Squarespace for quick access. Canva Users—A Heads Up! Canva is great for creating designs, but its compression tools aren’t the best. Instead: - Export images at high quality (90% or higher). - Compress them externally before uploading to Squarespace. What’s Your Workflow? I’d love to hear how you manage your images. Are you using other tools? Have you seen improvements in speed or rankings after optimizing? Drop your thoughts or questions below. If you’re new here, remember that The Classroom section has loads of resources to help with these challenges. Cheers, Elwyn

Here's a new 'Tip of the Day' thread that I am launching on this page. It combines the best advice I can give beginner web designers from my 20 years of learning these things the hard way! Instead of adding a string of different posts, I will build it up one message at a time. If you are an experienced designer, feel free to post your own tips in this thread as well. No sales 🚫 Please remember that members can contact you via profile if your advice is good. 👍

I had a call with Cherie from the coaching community this morning and she generously allowed me to record my design process based on potential tweaks and adjustments that I recommended. This live video is from our Website Builders YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/odBVTaGgUwk?si=tTOPKhp21EdRvcuT When tackling a project like this, there are always elements that come down to personal taste, but at the same time, there are good structures that we know will work on just about every project. Our job as designers is to find that balance so each project looks unique, yet is easy for the viewer to navigate. Cherie did a fabulous job with her website, especially when you take on board that this was her first Squarespace website. The original design is on the left, and my edited version is on the right. If you are interested in finding out more about our Pixelhaze Coaching Community, here's the link: https://www.skool.com/pixelhaze-community Cheers, Elwyn