Defining Good Web Design
Sunday- September 09, 2007 Filed in: Web Design
It seems today that there are 2 main schools of thought when defining good web design. Those designers following Jakob Nielsen come from a strict usability standpoint in which efficiency, functionality and effective presentation of information reign supreme. In turn, there are designers that follow a purely aesthetic group which focuses on sexy graphics and slick animations. Why must designers get caught up in one train of thought in which they totally ignore the other?
Design is all about communication. Elements and functionality of a finished site should work as a cohesive unit so that;
1. Users recognize each page as belonging to the site
As I've spoken about before, even if there is a dynamic difference in the layout between the homepage and the rest of the site, a cohesive theme or style should exist across all pages of a site to hold it together. This could be as simple as a site ID, color scheme or logo placement.
2. Uses are pleased by the design, but stay for the content
Usability experts will tell you that one of the most important aspects of your site is the amount of time it takes the user to scan and find the information they want. The easier it is for the user to find their information, the better the likelihood that they will return. Therefore, design should not be a obstacle, but rather it should act as a channel between the user and the information. Content is king!
3. Users can easily move about intuitively through your navigation
The main navigation block, wherever it may reside on your page, (I won't divulge deeper on the theories of navigation unless there is a need or want) should be clear and visible on the page and each link should have a descriptive title. Navigation should change appearance on mouseover and also indicate the active page once clicked.
Additional Resources:
Line Leaves courtesy of chinup
A List Apart - For People Who Make Websites
Most Inspired Website Gallery
The Best Designs - Web Gallery
Smashing Magazine
Design is all about communication. Elements and functionality of a finished site should work as a cohesive unit so that;
1. Users recognize each page as belonging to the site
As I've spoken about before, even if there is a dynamic difference in the layout between the homepage and the rest of the site, a cohesive theme or style should exist across all pages of a site to hold it together. This could be as simple as a site ID, color scheme or logo placement.
2. Uses are pleased by the design, but stay for the content
Usability experts will tell you that one of the most important aspects of your site is the amount of time it takes the user to scan and find the information they want. The easier it is for the user to find their information, the better the likelihood that they will return. Therefore, design should not be a obstacle, but rather it should act as a channel between the user and the information. Content is king!
3. Users can easily move about intuitively through your navigation
The main navigation block, wherever it may reside on your page, (I won't divulge deeper on the theories of navigation unless there is a need or want) should be clear and visible on the page and each link should have a descriptive title. Navigation should change appearance on mouseover and also indicate the active page once clicked.
Additional Resources:
Line Leaves courtesy of chinup
A List Apart - For People Who Make Websites
Most Inspired Website Gallery
The Best Designs - Web Gallery
Smashing Magazine
