That’s what it’s all about in Web design. I suppose you could argue that it’s true in print as well, but on the Web in particular, we designers have to pay close attention to the interplay of color, font, and texture across a large number of pages, sections, and divisions. If you’re a designer, you probably think that’s a blinding flash of the obvious, but it’s actually shocking how many sites out there seem to pay little heed to any kind of coherence in these areas. That may be due to a site evolving over time (I’m sure work I’ve done isn’t perfect), or perhaps more than one designer was involved in different stages.
Some Examples:
You’re on Page 1 of a site and all the action buttons are blue. You go to Page 2 of a site, and all of a sudden there are action buttons that are green. Why blue on one page and green on the other?
You’re looking at a diagram that puts a metallic sheen on the elements. Then you go look at some similar graphical elements further down the page and they look plastic and glossy. Why are there two different textures on one page?
The headline font is Helvetica on the blog home page and then it’s Georgia on the individual post pages. Should all headlines across a site be uniform?
Now let me say this: I don’t think it’s bad to have a little variation. Variety is the spice of life. Sometimes you may want to consciously use a different headline font in a particular case for a different emphasis or emotion. Sometimes you may want to use a secondary texture on some elements to make them stand out. All I’m saying is: THINK! Use your head and really think through why you’re picking a certain color, font, or texture. Is it because it looks “cool” to you at the time or is it because of a specific reason that is consistent and integrous with the overall design of the project?
Pay attention.