University of Sunderland CDM105 Session 2 Web Authoring Web Design The main principles and the main guru

University of Sunderland CDM105 Session 2 The art of Web design "Good Web design is something that has to be practised and mastered. While it's easy to pick up the rudiments of putting a Web page together, creating a cohesive, easy to use site is a different matter entirely. The essential questions are: can it be seen anywhere by anyone?" Computer Arts Special, Issue 10, 2000 ………..then, will they like it enough to come back?

University of Sunderland CDM105 Session 2 Why should I consider design when I produce a Web site? ‘The user is all’ You might like the site but if nobody else does nobody will visit To make users return again and again...

University of Sunderland CDM105 Session 2 But surely it's just a question of personal taste? Yes –But it must also appeal to as many of the target audience as possible –Using Web research may improve your site making people return to it Remember, normally a ‘client’ is paying for the Web site so their views may over-ride all design decisions

University of Sunderland CDM105 Session 2 Form Function Form versus Function Originally, HyperText Markup Language (HTML) was designed to only show the structure of a document without much regard to its meaning or presentation –e.g. many academic/research web sites which where text based and simply communicated data

University of Sunderland CDM105 Session 2 Design Aims Typographic aims Visual Layout Useable Indexable Searchable Maintainable DesignersStructuralists Form Function Form versus Function

University of Sunderland CDM105 Session 2 Structuralists Validated HTML –Conforms to agreed W3C standards Benefits –Search engines –Helps special needs users view the web –i.e. visually impaired people –permits users to turn off images

University of Sunderland CDM105 Session 2 Designers Want to be able to create an online experience –they have worked previously in television, CDROM development and time-based events –aim to create online galleries, games, movie sites i.e. web sites that grab people’s attention and give them a good time …. then they will return

University of Sunderland CDM105 Session 2 Web Browsers Web browsers permit the end user to change the appearance of the page –e.g. change the default font size Different browsers may display pages slightly differently or may not support certain advanced features –Netscape, Internet Explorer, Opera Different platforms support different multimedia formats –Windows, UNIX, OS X (Mac) Additional difficulties in web design

University of Sunderland CDM105 Session 2 So, what makes a 'good' Web site? The main design issue is: – Navigation –This should be largely intuitive –Try to include a menu bar which is always visible on every page –If user jumps into the middle of the site it should be apparent as to where they are and what the bigger picture is.

University of Sunderland CDM105 Session 2 Download Speed –The most important aspect of design at the current time. Interactivity –Can make the site more interesting –Avoid bells and whistles which add little ! Predictability –e.g. The menu bar is always in the same place Consistency –e.g. use the icons/menu bar on each page So, what makes a 'good' Web site? Other important design issues are:

University of Sunderland CDM105 Session 2 Design Stages 1- Conceptualise: Define Goals 2- Plan: Outline site from the start 3- Design: Creating a coherent structure 4- Implement: Develop the HTML 5- Evaluate: Does the site meet the original specification? 6 - Maintain: Step 1 to 5 forever !

University of Sunderland CDM105 Session 2 Web site structures Consider purpose of site before choosing structure An overview four types of structures –Sequence –Grid –Hierarchy –Web

University of Sunderland CDM105 Session 2 Sequence Simplicity - Basic content - Used often for training StartEnd

University of Sunderland CDM105 Session 2 Grid No obvious start or end but they may exist ! Sometimes used with educated audiences

University of Sunderland CDM105 Session 2 Hierarchy Some structure i.e. a menu to a number of sequences Menu/Start End of Unit End of Unit End of Unit End of Unit

University of Sunderland CDM105 Session 2 Web Non-linear Flexible be often confusing No obvious start or end but they may exist !

University of Sunderland CDM105 Session 2 Machine Based Tutorial The tutorial session again requires you to read over web based materials and complete the exercises contained within them In the machine based tutorial session you will learn how to add multimedia assets to web pages. Then you will review the issues surrounding web design and then learn how to control the layout of web pages using the TABLE constructs and then experiment with web FRAMES. You will also learn about the Web Guru – Jakob Nielsen - of the last few years by looking at his web site on web design You should aim to complete the machine based tutorial session 2 before the next lecture.