How "User Friendly" Is Your Site?Written by Doug Seidl
Is an Over-Complicated Site Costing You Sales?Clarity Is Everything. How "User Friendly" Is Your Site? In general, we designers will often find ourselves preaching about keeping things simple when it comes to our design... but is that all there is to it? If all one does is achieve simplicity, will that person produce a successful design as a result? Well, chances are that they will be well on their way, but there is still more to consider. I would like to discuss reason to use simplicity as a tool in first place. Not for it's own sake, but rather to create clarity in conveying information. This is whole point of graphic design in first place... to communicate as clearly and effectively as possible. Instead of term "Graphic Design," I would prefer it be called "Information Design." Some tools that one can use to achieve clear and effective design are: use of subtleness, and implementation of an obvious hierarchy. The use of subtleness will help create an obvious hierarchy. How can anything be important on a given page when every second word is in bold, italics, highlighted color, 25pt type, exclamation points... or worst of all, all of above. One has to be allot more subtle about things; competition between elements in a given space is not a good thing (as a general rule, there are exceptions). This way when something is highlighted or stressed, a clear hierarchy is created. The use of subtleness and simplicity, will create clarity and readability. What is one of first things to look at when you want to achieve simplicity, subtleness and clarity? Well, to begin right, it is advisable to start with bare bones. Think about underlying grid structure- should you use a three-column grid, or a five-column grid. The use of a grid structure when creating layouts should not become restrictive, it should help to create consistency and order; and of course, consistency and order become skeleton for a good hierarchy. What is chosen all depends on content; how much of it is there, and how should it be presented? Remember, you may understand content, but that doesn't mean that everybody else does. The content must be dissected and put back together in such a way that it becomes clear and easy to follow for your audience. Ok, so now you are on your way with a decent layout and beginnings of a good hierarchy. Don't get too comfortable... things can still go a-rye if typography (type) is not followed through properly. So far, things are simple, orderly, consistent... but what to do with type? STOP! Don't do anything! Look at what you have, and remember what I said about subtleness. I have seen too many designs ruined by over-use of multiple fonts, multiple colors, and multiple sizes. My rule of thumb is: use no more than two fonts, no more than two colors, and no more than two sizes. The idea situation is: a particular font, size and color for headings/subheadings, and then a particular font, size and color for body. Try not to mix-and-match to many of above; all too often people think that more they throw in better. Not true. You will find that if you reduce as much of above variables as possible, you will have a much cleaner looking, and easier to read design.
| | Interactive Sites are More Successful than Boring SitesWritten by Cris Anderson
When web was in its infancy, websites were a couple of columns of text and color. It's been a long time since first generation web design and yet many people are content with their static and consequentially boring websites.Many speak of flash as "Media of future". Let me be first to enlighten you. It is media of present! Many companies understood it's benefits a long time ago and took their boring static sites and made them exciting and dynamic with flash! Lets go one step further and add interactivity. Note, you will need flash 5 plugin to view examples below. You may download it at http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash. When we look at flash and its function on "Web", we often think it simply animates objects and text and is limited as a dynamic media. The fact of matter is that every consecutive version of software produces new and exciting features that integrate dynamic and interactive media together. My job is to discover these new features and I will discuss two of them with you now. The first is adding password-protected areas to your site. The second is adding interactive windows. A while ago, I had a client who wanted to sell reports on his website, but wanted client to pay first before they are able to download. This is of course possible with advanced computer programming or, we can quickly do it with "actionscript" in flash. A small flash movie is created where client can access downloadable reports only if they supply correct password. Also, personalized sections may be created for specific clients who may have advanced access. Visit http://www.worlddesignservices.com/cris/actionscript/password.htm and try entering a variety of words. You will notice that nothing will happen unless you use correct password, which is "me" or "you". Here's another example of application. You are a photographer and want to show your prints on web, but you don't want every man, woman, and child taking them for free! Set up a password protected flash movie, where client can download files only after you supply password to them. As I mentioned, you can have multiple sections as well. For example, one section is "animal prints" and another is "flowers ". The client will only be able to access prints that you allow them to. We could swap photographic prints with audio files or screensavers. The possibilities are endless for this new method of interaction!
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