Web Authoring Web Design The main principles and

Web Authoring Web Design The main principles and the main guru University of Sunderland CDM 105 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 CDM 105 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 CDM 105 Session 2

• Yes But surely it's just a question of personal taste? – 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 CDM 105 Session 2

Form versus Function • Originally, Hyper. Text 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 CDM 105 Session 2

Form versus Function Useable Design Aims Typographic aims Indexable Searchable Visual Layout Maintainable Designers University of Sunderland Structuralists CDM 105 Session 2

Structuralists • Validated HTML – Conforms to agreed W 3 C 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 CDM 105 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 CDM 105 Session 2

Web Browsers Additional difficulties in web design • 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) University of Sunderland CDM 105 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 CDM 105 Session 2

So, what makes a 'good' Web site? Other important design issues are: • 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 University of Sunderland CDM 105 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 CDM 105 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 CDM 105 Session 2

Sequence Start End Simplicity - Basic content - Used often for training University of Sunderland CDM 105 Session 2

Grid No obvious start or end but they may exist ! Sometimes used with educated audiences University of Sunderland CDM 105 Session 2

Hierarchy Menu/Start End of Unit Some structure i. e. a menu to a number of sequences University of Sunderland CDM 105 Session 2

Web No obvious start or end but they may exist ! Non-linear Flexible be often confusing University of Sunderland CDM 105 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 http: //www. useit. com/ • You should aim to complete the machine based tutorial session 2 before the next lecture. University of Sunderland CDM 105 Session 2