When talking about navigating a website, there are 3 important questions a visitor may be concerned with:

• Where am I?
• Where do I want to go?
• Where have I already been?

Whether someone has come to your site with a specific goal in mind, or they just want to browse around, it should be clear to them how to work their way through. Failure to effectively address these questions may lead to someone’s decision to abandon your site.

Navigation is much more than a few main page links listed near the top of the page. It’s an entire system of links, labels, and website discovery  that is carefully weaved throughout all aspects of your site. I’ll outline a few basics that you should keep in mind when developing or optimizing your website.

1. Clearly define your main pages. Typically, links to your main level pages appear near the top of every page in a horizontal or vertical grouping. These can be designed many ways such as plain text links, tabs, buttons, icons, etc. The key is that they’re in a predictable location, stand out enough visually, and use obvious labels like “Home”, “Services”, “Contact Us”, etc.
   







2. Make your links within the body content look like links. Traditionally, hyperlinked text is blue and underlined. Today, it’s common and accepted to see links in different colors, underlined or not, as long as it stands out from the body text. Another good rule of thumb is to have a rollover state where the style of the text changes when you hover over it. This applies to linked images as well.
   







3. Use detailed text to give the user an idea of where the link goes. Hyperlinking the phrase “Click here” isn’t as clear as “Find out more about our products.”
4. Write descriptive page headings. Let your visitor know what page they’re on by using a Page Title Heading that is related to the nav link clicked to get there and that describes the general content on the page.
5. Highlight the nav item of the current page. It’s a good idea to style a main navigation button differently when actually on that page. This helps to distinguish the page you’re on from others in the menu.
   







6. Include a search field and a site map link. Okay, so this is really 2 tips. Providing a way to enter a custom search, or listing out every page on a site using a site map, may be helpful for someone looking quickly for something specific.
7. Style visited links differently. Especially on larger sites or even a smaller one that someone may spend some time on, differentiating links of pages they’ve already been to may be helpful. This can be achieved many ways. A couple of examples would be to set the text color different, or provide an icon next to the link.
   

Today it’s almost more common that people enter your site through an internal page as a result of a Google search or perhaps a link from another webpage. No longer can we assume that the Home page will be the starting point. As a result, you’ll want to ensure your navigation is consistent throughout your site. Attention to these details will make it easier for someone to find what they’re looking for and may promote repeat visits and business.

It’s that time of year again where we welcome the official start of summer.  All of us enjoy a good BBQ feast and time with the family, but how did we get here? Isaac Newton once said “If I have seen further it is only by standing on the shoulders of Giant.”

He was referring to how his work was built upon the work that others had done before him.  No doubt that we live in the land of opportunity. Those opportunities are there because of the hard work and sacrifices made by those who have gone before us to build this country.

Honoring Fallen Heroes

Last year I took a trip to France. On one part of the trip, I visited Normandy and the sites of the D-Day invasion. It seemed surreal to stand where so many had fought and fallen.  I can tell you that visiting the American cemetery in Normandy is an overwhelming experience.

Walking through a cemetery of where nearly 10,000 soldiers have been laid to rest is a humbling experience. As my eyes filled with tears and my heart swelled with pride, I felt honored to render a salute to all of our fallen brothers in arms.

Let Freedom Ring

American Pride goes far beyond one war or one person. We can look back at the American Revolution and find the people that stood up to a tyrannous king with one voice and said “We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal.”

We can fast forward to today and see our loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan still proclaiming the same messages of freedom and liberty. This Memorial Day, let us take time to honor those who have gone before us and sacrificed everything so that we may “stand on the shoulders of Giants.” God Bless America and Semper Fi!

Do you know a mom that happens to be a Web or Graphic Designer? If you do, chances are she’s the coolest person you know and you’ve been waiting all year for Mother’s Day to buy her an equally cool gift. Lucky for you, I’ve put together a list of some quirky last minute items you might want to head out and snag.

1. Porn for New Moms - This book is 95 pages full of photos and captions of hunky men doing exactly what new mothers want. Immerse yourself in a fantasy world where your husband insists on changing dirty diapers, cooking fantastic meals, and waking up for late night feedings. That’s my kind of daddy!
2. Nestling Birds Necklace - These sweet necklaces are handmade from recycled sterling silver and make a great gift for any mom. Who wouldn’t want happy little mama and baby birds hanging around? The artists also have earrings and rings available in a similar style.
3. Moleskine Passion Journals - Designers LOVE their Moleskines. Now the classic notebooks are available in a new series that cater to other passions outside of design. These gorgeous journals have fully embossed hard covers, expandable inner pockets and theme based sections to help you organize and create. Choose from 6 passions: Recipe Journal, Wine Journal, Book Journal, Film Journal, Music Journal, and Wellness Journal.
4. Apple’s iPad- What kind of web designer gift list would this be without at least one techy item? In the off chance that the mom in your life gets to relax, what better way than sitting on the porch, kicked back and enjoying the beauty that is the iPad. If you’re feeling a little extra adventurous, grab this fun but embarrassing protective case (with wings)! The one-of-a-kind iMaxi.
5. Olive Manna Coloring Book- One of my personal favorites is this coloring book made by Olive Manna. It features 50 fun patterns ready to be colored any way you like. This serves as a double duty gift. Not only will web designer moms love to take some off screen time to get creative with their color crafting, but they can also share in the fun with their kids! The only bummer is that the books don’t go to print until May 15 so you won’t make it by Mother’s Day. However, all pre-orders will ship with a free set of mini colored pencils while supplies last.
6. Bonus Item: Web Designers Are Sexy T-Shirt- Because every mom likes to be told that she’s sexy. Okay, so this one technically can’t fall in the “things to buy” list since you can’t buy it. The website lets you know how you might win or earn a shirt. I won myself a shirt (that’s me and my boy) by crafting a killer haiku in a contest they were running. Regardless though, take this as a tip, a hint, a suggestion. You may not have a shirt to give her, but tell that mom in your life that she’s still sexy! Overlook the spit-up filled wardrobe, the messed up hair, and the not so light circles under her eyes.  Web designer or not, sometimes the best gift is a sentiment of appreciation and flattery.

To all my fellow designer moms out there, Have a Happy, Happy Mother’s Day!

P.S. If you know lots of Web Designers, but none are moms (according to A List Apart’s 2008 survey, 83.8% of people who make websites are male) leave a comment below and I’d be happy to let you know where you can mail MY gift!

Over the weekend, my mom and I volunteered at the GR8 To DON8  8K Run for Organ Donation  where runners, walkers and volunteers came together to raise money and awareness for organ donation. It’s a cause that is dear to my heart because I am a living donor; I gave my mom a kidney almost 4 years ago. We had so much fun on our route #18 as we cheered and guided the runners and walkers to the finish line. We also got to see some dear old friends who provided love and support during and after the transplant.

When it was discovered that I was a perfect match for my mom, I was elated. I have never felt such a sense of purpose than when I came out of the hospital after donating my left kidney. It was like I was finally able to give back to my mom after all her years of hard work and sacrifice for me. And I would do it all over again if I had to.

April is National Donate Life month so it’s the perfect time to become an organ, tissue, marrow, and blood donor. There are more than 98,000 people who need an organ transplant and you never know when you can be someone’s saving grace. Click here to get more information on organ donation. Trust me, you won’t feel a thing ;-)