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Author: Dana Bryson

Website Designer and Developer Dana Bryson has a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communications from Middle Tennessee State University, with a concentrated collegiate study in the field of graphic communications. She previously worked for MainStreet Media, LLC as a Graphic Layout Designer and Online Manager. She has designed several publications with her proficient knowledge of pagination and design for newsprint, magazines and advertisements. Dana shows creativity and clarity within workflow schedules. Her knowledge of website design gives her the ability to work closely with our clients to produce customized designs to meet the needs of each business. Dana has also been an adjunct instructor at ITT Tech in Nashville teaching within the Visual Communications Program. Dana has designed and developed over 100 custom websites since joining Bear Web Design in 2010. Dana enjoys scrapbooking, which she feels is a tactile extension of her design skill set. Dana and her husband Keith, also enjoy traveling and spending time with their two dogs.

Responsive Design

We do our best to help you  “Go Responsive … Responsibly.” When we build websites with responsive design at Bear Web Design we focus on what a mobile, tablet or desktop visitor is wanting to accomplish.  Working with our clients we try to create a user experience that is optimal in varying device sizes. 

Some Key Quotes from Article: 

What Makes a Responsive Website Design Successful?

It’s not just about resizing the site. Responsive design should serve the user’s needs clearly, quickly, and intuitively. The quote below summarizes one of the most overlooked principles:

“…viewing websites on mobile devices is generally quite slow, most people are reluctant to start tapping all over a page. This means that design must make it visually clear what elements on the site allow for user interactions. Buttons, links, form fields and other points of user interaction must be large enough to be clicked easily, and spaced far enough away from other page elements that users don’t risk clicking the wrong elements.”
— Website Magazine

Practical Mobile UX Tips

Here’s another takeaway from the article that speaks directly to menu usability:

“A safer approach for many sites will be to use a drop-down or ‘select’ menu. The user simply clicks the menu and scrolls to the selection (or category) of interest.”

In other words, design should guide interaction—especially on mobile. Clear labels, tappable elements, and thoughtful spacing aren’t just design choices; they’re usability essentials.

The Importance of Responsive Design

“… viewing websites on mobile devices is generally quite slow, most people are reluctant to start tapping all over a page. This means that design must make it visually clear what elements on the site allow for user interactions. Buttons, links, form fields and other points of user interaction must be large enough to be clicked easily, and spaced far enough away from other page elements that users don’t risk clicking the wrong elements.”

“A safer approach for many sites will be to use a drop-down or “select” menu. The user simply clicks the menu and scrolls to the selection (or category) of interest.”

Joomla Components, Modules and Plugins can have a great influence on your final website design. They can enhance your website design ranging from interesting content such as blogs to desired action items such as purchasing a product.  Some of you may already know what these additional pieces of Joomla are… But for those clients or future clients that are new to Bear Web Design and Joomla! lingo, here’s an introduction.

What Is a Component in Joomla?

A component in Joomla! is the most complex add-on. This usually adds a completely new, or different, function to your site. A component handles data input and storage into the database.

Some Examples:

  • An Online Store System
  • A Blogging System
  • A Business Directory
  • An Advertising System
  • A Slideshow or Photo Gallery

What Is a Module in Joomla?

A module in Joomla! is usually an add-on to the site that extends the functionality of another part of the system. It usually has fewer options and most of the time does not handle any storing of information into the database. A module usually supports a component by allowing more options on how to display data from the component.  Modules are the most commonly referred to in a design meeting environment at Bear Web Design.  Many modules can be customized to fit your color-scheme and style.

Some Examples:

  • A module that shows a visitor their account info, shopping cart, and or login/logout info. (Works with a store component.)
  • A recent blog area or featured blog listing. (Works with a blog component.)
  • An advertisement area that holds an advertising banner. (Works with an advertising system component.)
  • A mini calendar. (Works with an Events component.)
  • Customized Quick link buttons. (Works with Joomla! menus.)
  • A slideshow on the homepage. (Works with a slideshow component.)
  • Search Box (core Joomla!).

What Is a Plugin in Joomla?

A Plugin in Joomla! will manipulate output already generated by the system. It typically does not run as a stand-alone element but retrieves data from other sources like content on your site.

Some Examples:

  • Search Plug-in (works with components, to make some of their data able to be searched within the entire site)
  • Simple Image Gallery – pulls images from a folder in a database and displays those images when called into an article.
  • Article Editor Plug-ins – allow for embedding of special media such as iframes, videos, etc.

How Plugins, Modules, and Components Work Together

It is also good to know that modules and components are great ways to provide interaction with your website visitors.

These items are important to know when starting or redesigning a Joomla! website. In a design meeting these will help express how you would like your site to look and function.

Have questions?

What is Functionality?

As a designer, I refer to functionality on a daily basis. I truly believe in having a well-designed website. However, if it doesn’t have functionality, it is just a pretty image on a computer screen. But first, what is functionality?

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