Meylah Article: How to Design a Header That Grabs Attention

Originally posted on Meylah by Dionne Christiansen on June 23,2010.

Although we're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, I must admit that I am not always a subscriber to that rule.

First impressions are everything – when you look at a book cover, what you wear to an interview, how you present a meal – our initial opinions are formed by what we see. The same is true for blogs, websites and online shops.

What is the first thing you see when you come to a new website or blog? The Header. A Header is that top area of graphics, which usually displays the site's name and brand.

Many different ingredients combine to make a successful header design. Not only must it be visually appealing, but it should also be an accurate representation of what your website is about. There is no point having a great-looking header if it contradicts the content of your site. Components like color, theme and font all play an important role.

I interviewed three creative women who have designed their own headers to find out what they think are the keys to great header design.