{"id":3700,"date":"2024-10-16T08:00:46","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T15:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/?p=3700"},"modified":"2024-10-26T00:13:38","modified_gmt":"2024-10-26T07:13:38","slug":"background-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/background-design\/","title":{"rendered":"Background Design: Foundations of Visual Appeal\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>UI\/graphic designers strive to enhance the user experience by designing compelling static and interactive elements. From micro-interactions to overarching design styles, there are an endless number of design elements that demand a designer\u2019s attention.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One element that designers may not always prioritize is background design. Given that this acts as the bedrock for the rest of your design\u2019s visual intrigue, it\u2019s worth discussing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, in today\u2019s guide, we\u2019ll explore the different ways in which you can design an engaging background.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"466\" src=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-steve-1509534.jpg\" alt=\"An example of a textural background that mimics the texture of a canvas covered in blue paint. \n\" class=\"wp-image-3701\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-steve-1509534.jpg 640w, https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-steve-1509534-300x218.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Different Types of Background Design&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Designing an excellent design background takes more than finding an aesthetically pleasing image online. First, it requires an understanding of the different ways in which you can bring your background to life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To help you elevate your<a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/graphic-design-websites\/\"> graphic design websites<\/a> or mobile applications, we\u2019ve discussed the most popular backdrop design types below.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Textural Backgrounds<\/strong>: These types of backgrounds convey the appearance, consistency, and tactile sensation of a particular surface or object. Backgrounds that mimic the surfaces of paper, fabric, and rocks are all examples of textural backgrounds.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Patterned Backgrounds<\/strong>: Patterned backgrounds display a repetition of certain graphic design elements like lines and shapes. A classic example of a patterned background is a polka dot backdrop.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Liquid Backgrounds<\/strong>: Graphic\/<a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/how-to-become-a-ui-designer\/\">UI designers<\/a> can create liquid-esque backgrounds in two ways. The first involves using a simple image of a liquid. The second, which is more popular, requires an animation of flowing liquid to communicate a sense of fluid movement.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>3D Backgrounds<\/strong>: Three-dimensional backgrounds strategically utilize light, shadow, and color to imbue the overarching design with a sense of realism.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Split Backgrounds<\/strong>: It\u2019s popular for designers to divide their backgrounds into sections using different colors, images, shapes, and lines. Any background with these types of segments\/divisions is a split background.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How To Design Your Own Background: 7 Top Factors To Consider<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s time for you to learn how to design your own background like a professional designer. Follow our step-by-step guide below and you\u2019ll end up with an eye-catching backdrop design!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Understanding Crucial Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The first thing you need to understand is that your background should strengthen the visual intrigue within your design\u2019s foreground. It shouldn\u2019t draw your user\u2019s focus away from it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, revisit the appearance of your design\u2019s content and key elements. Brainstorm ways in which your background can elevate your foreground.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, let\u2019s say you were creating a website that focuses primarily on FPS (first-person shooter) games. Let\u2019s also say that you were using neon red icons and <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/typography-elements-for-ui-design\/\">typographic elements<\/a> to mirror a laser sight\u2019s red hues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this scenario, a dark background would really help your design elements stand out to your users.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Researching Your Users&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your backdrop designs shouldn\u2019t just align with your design\u2019s foreground or content; it should also align with your users\u2019 preferences.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To ensure this alignment, you\u2019ll need to conduct <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/user-research-everything-you-must-know-about-acquiring-data\/\">user research<\/a>. Your research will help you find out what types of background designs your users prefer and why.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can then narrow down the design ideas from your brainstorming session and tailor your remaining suitable design solutions accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tip<\/strong>: Research your competitors\u2019 backgrounds and make note of what you think works and what doesn\u2019t work.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/laura-materna-CC8bACg2JBA-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"A field that comprises a group of bright orange and dark purple flowers, representing contrast. \n\" class=\"wp-image-3702\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/laura-materna-CC8bACg2JBA-unsplash.jpg 640w, https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/laura-materna-CC8bACg2JBA-unsplash-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Prioritizing Contrast&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Contrast is a crucial component of accessibility, and overall readability. For that reason, there must be a high level of contrast between your design elements\/textual content and your background.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should also keep in mind that your backdrop colors should be subtler and softer than your text\u2019s colors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/steve-johnson-A2OL6S9zB7o-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"A close-up of  a watercolor paint palette with three paintbrushes on top of it.\n\" class=\"wp-image-3726\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/steve-johnson-A2OL6S9zB7o-unsplash.jpg 640w, https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/steve-johnson-A2OL6S9zB7o-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Selecting Your Colors&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, you can focus on your design\u2019s colors. If you\u2019re working on a brand\u2019s digital products, ensure that you incorporate brand-specific colors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This will help you maintain your brand\u2019s visual consistency and facilitate brand recognition amongst users.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019d also benefit from researching <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/color-psychology-chart\/\">color psychology<\/a> to learn how certain colors can elicit particular emotional responses from your users.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Overall, your backdrop\u2019s colors should also bridge the gap between your design\u2019s content and your users\u2019 expectations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/mike-von-60-3xebB3u0-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"An image of a woman standing in front of a large background that consists of red polka dots. \n\" class=\"wp-image-3703\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/mike-von-60-3xebB3u0-unsplash.jpg 640w, https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/mike-von-60-3xebB3u0-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Experimenting with Backdrop Designs&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When you\u2019re happy with your use of color and contrast, you can enhance your design\u2019s visual intrigue with experimentation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Play around with the different types of background designs, including the ones we discussed earlier.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most importantly, keep every iteration of your backdrop designs for the tests you\u2019ll conduct in the future.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Leveraging Negative Space&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Negative space refers to the empty space between design elements. It\u2019s also a must-have aspect that every design should implement to avoid overwhelming users.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s more, if you want to enhance your design\u2019s readability, using negative space is a perfect idea. We recommend implementing negative space around key areas in your foreground, including its textual content and CTAs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only will keeping these areas \u201cempty\u201d help improve your design\u2019s readability, but it\u2019ll also help you <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/how-to-increase-conversion-rates\/\">increase conversion rates<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7. Testing Your Designs&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You should conduct <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/what-is-a-b-testing\/\">A\/B tests<\/a> on your design iterations from when you were experimenting with different backdrop types. These tests will help you find out which of your background designs resonates with your users the most.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll also need to conduct <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/usability-testing-methods-an-introductory-guide\/\">usability tests<\/a> on your finalized backdrop design. The user feedback you get from these tests will help you evaluate the functionality and aesthetic value of your background. After making the necessary improvements, you\u2019ll have an exceptional backdrop design!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1727267284492\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What are the different types of background designs?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Some of the different types of background designs include the following:\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Textural backgrounds\u00a0<br \/>&#8211; Patterned backgrounds<br \/>&#8211; Split backgrounds<br \/>&#8211; Grainy backgrounds\u00a0<br \/>&#8211; 3D backgrounds<br \/>&#8211; Liquid backgrounds\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1727267309845\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Where can I find good background images?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The most affordable way to find good background images is to peruse free stock photo sites like Pexels and Unsplash.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1727267324212\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What is the best color for a background design?\u00a0<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Ultimately, the best color for your backdrop designs will depend on the products\/services you sell and your users\u2019 preferences. That said, it\u2019s always a good idea to use neutral colors like black, gray, beige, and white for your backgrounds.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Background Design: Get Inspiration From Page Flows<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We hope that you can now optimize your backdrop designs as effectively as you would with your other design elements. Design with your user engagement and readability in mind, and you\u2019ll never go wrong.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another great way to engage users and elevate your backdrop\u2019s functionality further is to refine your user flows. This is something that Page Flows can help you with.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With Page Flows, you\u2019ll learn from top-of-the-line examples how you should approach intuitive, in-product navigation. What\u2019s more, you\u2019ll have thousands upon thousands of recordings and screenshots that cover every essential <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/user-flow-your-guide-to-how-users-use-your-product\/\">user flow<\/a>, including onboarding flows.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Best of all, you\u2019ll never struggle to find inspirational flows that relate to a specific brand or industry.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Exceptional user flows pave the way for engaging design elements, excellent background design, and spectacular user experiences. So, start your design process the right way with Page Flows. <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/\">Join us today<\/a> to learn how to design user flows that keep your users coming back to your products!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>UI\/graphic designers strive to enhance the user experience by designing compelling static and interactive elements. From micro-interactions to overarching design styles, there are an endless number of design elements that demand a designer\u2019s attention.&nbsp; One &#8230; <a title=\"Background Design: Foundations of Visual Appeal\u00a0\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/background-design\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Background Design: Foundations of Visual Appeal\u00a0\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":3702,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[10],"class_list":["post-3700","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"authors":[{"term_id":10,"user_id":7,"is_guest":0,"slug":"page-flows-team","display_name":"Page Flows Team","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cropped-logo@2x.png","url2x":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cropped-logo@2x.png"},"author_category":"","first_name":"Page Flows","last_name":"Team","user_url":"","job_title":"","description":"The Page Flows Team is a collective of passionate UX design professionals dedicated to delivering insightful content on user experience and design principles. With diverse backgrounds and expertise, our contributing writers bring you the latest trends, tips, and research in the UX field. Each article is crafted with a focus on empathy, innovation, and a commitment to enhancing user interactions.\r\nOutside of writing, our team members draw inspiration from various pursuits such as outdoor activities, art, and continuous learning, fueling their creativity and drive to push the boundaries of UX design. The Page Flows Team is committed to providing valuable resources and engaging content to help you stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of user experience."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3700","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3700"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3700\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3727,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3700\/revisions\/3727"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3702"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3700"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3700"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3700"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=3700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}