Site Design & Organization Once we get beyond a few pages in our web site, we realize the need for better organization. And depending on our own aesthetic sense (or the sense of our users who communicate with us), we realize good design is important as well. So what do we do? First, I’m not perfect, and I’ve made mistakes, and still do. BUT it’s still something to work toward…

Usability What is the Goal of Design and Organization? That’s the criteria to judge by. Not visual appeal or inventiveness or originality. Does that mean those aren’t important? NO! But the first and foremost requirement of any design is that it be usable. This need for usability shapes every decision we make…

Map the Site Organization Tips Make logical groupings, ask others to help by sorting 3x5 cards with page titles on them

Boil it Down Organization Tips People can’t handle too many choices. Simplify! Make links to larger groups, rather than too many small ones.

Where Am I? Organization Tips Leave them a trail so they know where in hyperspace they are! Also important because lots of folks don’t come in through your main page. So leave them ways to figure out where they are in your site.

Seek & Ye Might Find Organization Tips Make sure searching is available if you get beyond a few dozen pages.

You Don’t Need Frames Organization Tips They are BAD! Bad, I say! They usually create more organizational problems than they solve.

Design Tips Contrast Make different elements different. Use colors to delineate sections, use a different font or color to denote headlines vs. body… Use design differences to enhance and reinforce organizational decisions.

Repetition Design Tips Repeat theme elements, keep a theme throughout pages. Use the same horizontal rule, not 3 different ones on each page

Design Tips Alignment Are things lined up properly? (show example of old article page design) Pages work better when things line up cleanly

Design Tips Proximity Proximity implies a relationship. Keep an eye on elements on a page that are close to one another. Should they be? Is there a relationship? Are other related items separated

Site Design & Organization