Basic Web site Design PMEHS Web Design Dr. Kerby
Designing for the User Who is your audience ... Who will read these pages? Young people? Old people? Muscians? Politicians? Athletes? Children: theme of basic colors with simple graphics and layout What is the purpose of the site?
Consistent, Unified Look Colors Graphics Layout Navigation Same set of colors; navigation in same place on each page
Color scheme examples: Army Web site Nick Jr. Web site
Alignment Consistent Left (easier to read) Right Horizontal OR Vertical Left (easier to read) Right Center (eyes draw down the center)
White Space Types: Active – separates content/images Passive – blank areas that result in incomplete or mismatched shapes Well placed white space makes a Web page easier to follow/read. Recommended - 2:1 Lycos Web page
White space sample Banner Active White Space Passive White Space Image Navigation Text block Image Footer
Organize long lists of information and links. Microsoft Web site Or use a navigation bar . . . Adobe Web site
Organize Navigation User friendly Group like links together Give links specific names
Use of Color Red – stimulates emotion Green – inspires involvement or interaction Gray – indicates lack of commitment or neutrality Blue – shows calm and conservative Yellow – shows cheerfulness and hope for the future, restlessness and change, feelings of anxiety Purple – implies mystical quality Black – indicates power and sophistication
Online Resources Usability First Web page design tips Web evaluation form for secondary grades Ten Good Deeds in Web Design
Ten Good Deeds in Web Design Place Name and Logo on every page Provide a search box if Web site has over 100 pages. Clear headings and page titles. Use grouping and sections to make pages easy to scan.
Use hypertext links for navigation. Use thumbnails for catalogue pages. Create relevant thumbnails. Write clear link titles. Add accessibility to users with disabilities. Design sites in a way viewer will expect.
Ten Good Mistakes in Web Design Original Top Ten Mistakes Top Ten New Mistakes The REALLY Bad Web Page guide
Basic Web site Design PMEHS Web Design Mrs. Kerby