Design Principles updated Jan. 18, 2011
The world
wide web is an incredible communication tool. If you have been on
the internet you know there are "good" pages and then there are the
"not so good" sites. Here are some factors to consider when designing
a website:
Bandwidth
Consider your audience. Bandwidth is still finite. While more people
have "hi-speed" internet access in the home and office,
many mobile users are frustrated by bottlenecks in the wi-fi networks
and cell nets. For more information on this topic, see Low
Bandwidth Design Guidelines.
Navigation
The links between pages can be confusing if the site has too
many levels. By careful planning at the beginning of your site design,
we can make it easy to navigate between pages. Most of the time,
a site doesn't need to be more than three "levels" deep. Consistent
placement of navigation links or buttons is one key to making it
easy to view your site.
Typography
Websites should use text that is easy to read, based on principles
of typography, such as not having lines of text go across the entire
width of the screen, using odd fonts or colors that make reading
a chore.
Browser Compatibility
The pages are designed to be viewed on all browsers, and are
tested on Internet Explorer (Microsoft), Firefox/Mosaic, and Opera
web browsers.
Scripts,
Etc.
Javascript can be provided where some interaction is required,
such as providing a calculator. For most simple site plans, Javascript
is not used for navigation or making "flashing buttons"
or rollovers.
Sample
Sites
Here are examples
of the sites where I have applied these principles:
San
Diego Antiques.com
This website was created to promote antique dealers in San Diego
County, California. It is no longer online.
QualityMgr.com
Site which provides engineering resources and serves as an online
portfolio.
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