This year at WordCamp Raleigh I presented on “Designing for the Social Web.” This is a topic that I’m passionate about and feel that more people in our field should get involved with in order to “stay ahead of the curve.” Here’s a brief summary of the presentation along with the slides. As soon as WordCamp Raleigh posts video of the event we’ll post that here as well.

Today’s Internet has become a social environment. Like it or not, that’s just a fact. As a designer you should be aware of the various social spaces that are available to you and your clients and try to learn as much as you can about them. You need to be able to integrate their various customization schemes into your (or your client’s) brand strategy.

The first thing you’ll need to do is create a plan of attack. By this I mean that you need to research and find the correct networks for you or your clients. Finding the right audience is half the battle when it comes to social media. Don’t waste your time on networks that don’t have relevance for you or your client.

In other words… If you’re a dog… don’t try to be a kangaroo!

Once you’ve determined which networks are right for you, you should study those networks and learn the ins-and-outs of their platform. You’ll need to know the limitations such as screen sizes, customizable area size, level of interactivity, and a host of others. The more you know about your chosen platforms, the better off you will be.

The next phase is creating what we call a “Unified Message” through design. By this I mean that you want to develop your designs (logos, colors, slogans, etc.) and build a core set of graphics that will work across multiple social spaces.

Consistency is key when it comes to the web because consistency creates awareness.

Once you’ve developed your core set of graphics and/or branding materials it’s time to put your plan into action. Go to your chosen networks and use your knowledge of their platform to design some memorable landing pages/profiles.

The final phase focuses on the importance of “social cross pollination.”

The premise of this theory is that by referencing your various social profiles on ALL of your sites, marketing materials, and (seemingly) benign places like email signatures or business cards, you will be able to capture a new segment of users or simply expose your existing user base to a different side of you. By doing this you will constantly give people new ways of interacting with you and keep them “on the hook” by giving them fresh ways to get interesting content from you no matter where they may be on the web.

As you can see, I’m very passionate about this subject and fully believe that the internet is headed down a road that will only become more social. Now is the time to act on this and get up-to-speed with these technologies. If you don’t you run the risk of being left behind, and as we all know… If  you’re not at the party, you can’t dance with the pretty girl!

Below are the slides for the “Designing for the Social Web” presentation: