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About

What I’m about

Anka WolbertHi, my name is Anka Wolbert. I’m an artist, musician, and web developer.

I started out as a musician in the 1980s, making electronic/ new wave music and I moved between Amsterdam, London and New York. In my early 20s my band got signed to London indie music label 4AD and later we signed to PolyGram (NYC).  We made 4 albums and toured the world. By the late 90s, I decided to swap the music industry for the world of web and study again.

I have a Masters degrees in Psychology and a BSc degree in Computer Science (Human Computer Interaction). I like the combination of technical, psychological and creative elements that make up web design. The web is an interactive medium and websites need to be functional by nature. Combined with information, key messages and meaning, it’s a fascinating mix. I’m particularly interested in the psychology in user interface design, and how to make the web a more enjoyable experience.

I love design in general; from graphic design, to the design of a chair, to UX design. As a student I started out as screen print designer at the Milky Way, a famous music venue in Amsterdam. I also really enjoy and get inspired by photography. You can find some of my photos here: www.ankadesign.co.uk

Brain Hacks: Using Psychology in Web Design

We all perceive the world through our own individual filters, but there are some general rules for what draws our eyes to something.
So what makes one design more appealing than another? How can we tap into a visitor’s brain and make them feel a certain way just by affecting what they see? Take a look at some common psychology tricks used in web design:

  • Color is one of the most important elements you can use to evoke a certain emotion from a user.
  • “A picture is worth a thousand words” may be a cliché but it is simply a true statement.
  • Users feel more comfortable when browsing sites that feature organised patterns and hierarchy.
  • Know your priority visitors. Who makes up the bulk of your visitors? Is it young millennials? Or well-off baby boomers?

Using psychology to drive your website design is one of the easiest ways you can increase traffic on your site and boost conversion. If you follow these basic principles, you may be pleasantly surprised at the results.