1. COM 205 Multimedia Applications
St. Joseph’s College
Fall 2003

2. Basic Software Design

3. Consider your audience
Who?
What?
When?
Where?
How?

4. Technology Connection- 14.4K modems/ fast T1 Monitor size
Don’t over use graphics – too slow
Monitor size
Put most important info at top of page
Don’t clutter screen
Don’t cause too much scrolling
Browsers available
Netscape
Internet Explorer
Plug-ins

5. Some Design Issues Speed ( of loading)
Simplicity ( say more with less…)
Clarity
Consistency
Easy of use
Ease of navigation
“Bells and Whistles”

6. Speed Should load quickly Choose text and graphics wisely
Not too many bitmaps!
Balance text and graphics
Design for the disabled or those without graphics
Use ALT tag in HTML
Blind will hear description of image with synthesized speech
Some may choose not to load graphics and can still understand the message

7. Simplicity and Clarity
Use basic layout and themes
Use only a few colors and fonts
Choose clear consistent icons with universal meaning
Include no more than 5 to 7 items on a menu

8. Consistency Provide and overview/summary screen
Each link and page should have the same “look and feel”where possible
Use same colors for hotlinks, etc…

9. Ease of Use Easy to read text and font size
Use text appropriate to your audience
Provide sense of “where you are”
Check for dead ends- pages without links
Use good navigational controls

10. Ease of Navigation Provide navigational controls
( back, next, home, top, bottom)
Button bars are often helpful
Include common links on each page
Home
Back, etc.

11. “Bells and Whistles” Animation should be meaningful not distracting
Don’t go over board- one screen is not meant to contain ALL you know or have learned
Use special effects where they enhance your message…

12. Interesting Resources
Web Page Design Guides
Virtual Computer Library
Animation