Successful Website Layout

EWD Chapter 2

Defining Client’s Needs

Many clients don’t know exactly what they want

What they ask for may not be what’s needed

What they want may not work well with their audience

Who is the Audience?

You need demographics• Age

• Level of education

• Occupation

• Income

• Marital status

• Culture

• Gender

What Technology Do They Use?

Browser Computer (Processing speed) Monitor Screen Resolution Connection (dialup vs. broadband/dsl)

What is Standard Screen Size?

Source: OneStat.com, June 2005

Starting to Design

Build a Visual Site Map• This helps make sure you and your client are

on the same page

• Provides an architectural framework for your site

• Helps to define and narrow scope and set a budget

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The Idea Behind Web Layout

A website is for promoting, selling and marketing for the goal of making money!

Website Layouts

Classic Inverted L Shape

Appeals to a large demographic.

Top Header

Used with drop-down navigation.

Side Navigation

Can be used with slide-out navigation.

Box Shape

Centers your content on the screen.

Classic Header, Content, Footer

Allow for graphic and text based navs.

Left Justified

Popular with “stretching” web pages.

Right Justified

No Interface, Just White Space

A vignette style. Lots of unused real estate.

Full Design, No White Space

No real estate left untouched!

Middle Interface

Like a wide screen movie.

Classic Black w/Green or Red Text

3D Design

Horizontal Scrolling

Use with caution.

Other, Unconventional Styles

Freeform…left to your imagination.

Principles of Web Design

Emphasis: The most important element on the page should be the most prominent.

• What is the message you are trying to convey?

• What elements communicate that message best?

• Am I trying to convey more than one message?

• What visual element is the most appealing?

• Remove elements that don’t support your message.

Methods of Emphasis

Bold, Italic, Underline Colors Special effects

(shadows, glows, textures)

Bigger Use of shapes Use of Borders Use of white space

We will use just about all of these in our first project!!

Methods of Emphasis: Example

Methods of Contrast

Reverse Text Size Color Special effects (shadows, glows, etc) Shapes Borders White space

Methods of Contrast: Example

Sense of Balance

Arrangement, Repetition, Visual Direction

Align your page elements! Repeat: stick with the same navigation,

colors, logo on every page, retain the same layout throughout the site, etc

Visual direction: lead the user’s eye across the page, fluidly, and through the most important elements

Visual Direction: Example