Learn from Print--More Design Elements to Ponder
The Web
Dynamic place
Key to success
Determining what information to present
How to present it effectively
Some tips from "paper publishing"
apply
Complex nature of web causes differences from
"paper publishing"
Linear vs. Hypermedia
Books—begin at first page and start reading
(linear)
Start at point A and go to point B
Author controls the unveiling of the
information
Web—reader follows any link in any order
(non-linear)
Linking allows person with mouse to journey
in any direction
Reader controls the unveiling of the
information
Structuring Your Web Site
Define your goals
You need to summarize what you want to get
across before beginning
What is your purpose?
Map your site
Create an outline from the top down (homepage
and below)
Homepage is the front door to your web site
How to structure the information?
Chunking—dividing information into small
units
Helps readers digest the information
One-at-a-time approach
How to link the information?
How to tie everything together?
Sketch out the structure of the links before
you begin.
Depth of content
With linking as an option, can keep pages
short and concise
Branching allows other information or
discussion to take place without cluttering main topic page
Navigation
Themes help users navigate the site
Graphics as standard navigation controls
Intuitive images help with navigation (if use
image be sure universally understood or label it in text)
Design Tips
All pages should contain
Identity
Look
Links
Information
Always link every page to your home page
The Home Page
State your purpose for the site here
Should act as a as Table of Contents for the
site
Display your logo here (enlarged)
Provide options for all viewers
text only
frames and non-frame views
if browser, link to download site for browser
Secondary Pages
Establish consistent style
Only one or two topics per page
Consider using wide margins--different browsers
display differently (left to right scrolling is NOT well received)
Identify yourself or company with credentials
Capturing Your Audience
Define your audience
Match your structure, tone, and style
Know the characteristics of your target
audience and target the elements to them
Structure of presentation
Language
Style
Consistent Look and Feel
Develop a "look" that will carry
through all parts of the web site
Design a logo to tie the pages together
Be aware of the artistic elements that make the
site look "pleasing to the eye"
Keep it Simple
Don’t overwhelm with text
Rule of thumb
Never cover more than 50% of the screen
Make good use of white space
Reading printed material and screen material
requires different skill
People read computer screen at 25% the rate
they read printed page
Text Style and Graphics
Vary text style
Create different levels of headings
Include text attributes that emphasize key
points
Graphics--one or two
Great way to provide interest
Should be design elements to break up text or
provide variety
Keep small--loads faster
Give People a Reason to Return
Don’t be a one-shot site
Entice readers back with:
Tutorials
Columns
Reviews
Comics
Tips
Links
Update on a regular basis
Logo
Everyone will not enter by the front door
Link the site with a common graphic or text
element (WordArt)
Purpose
Get your name and message out
Identify and leave a lasting impression
Feedback or Comments
Web lets you interact
Need to include a way for readers to
communicate with you
Feedback link (mailto element) allows readers
to respond and react to your site
Concerns
Web allows visitors to enter in places other
that the uppermost level
Provide an easy way to get to the home page
on every secondary page
Provide links to important pages within your
site (i.e. the site map, page about you, etc.)
Provide consistent notation at the end of
every page with essential information about the site
Keeping Up to Date
Nothing is worse that outdated material
Test links systematically and in a timely
manner
Dead links definitely date your site
Regular maintenance is a requirement of good
web site management
Effective Structure along with a consistent
visually appealing style will improve your
chances that people will return to your site!
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