Designing Web Interfaces

This week we learned about designing web interfaces. We learned about the different design issues which are color, visuals and text. For example, we learned that by combining visual elements with text you can enhance information clarity. It is also important to highlight important components. When it comes to text, one shouldn’t use all caps, or too many different fonts. Also, contrast and spacing is very important to ensure readability. Color is another important aspect. When we think about what colors to use on our page we have to consider the functionality of the color scheme. Colors should be used to provide emphasis and increase interest. We also learned about different graphic file formats. GIF, or Graphic Interchange Format, is the preferred file format for images with large areas of the same color. It supports 8 bit images. GIF files can also be used to create brief animations. JPEG, or Joint Photographic Experts Group, files are the preferred file format for photographic images and supports 24 bit images. PNG, or Portable Network Graphics, files can be 8 or 24 bits and uses a lossless compression scheme.

We also learned the four principles of design, sometimes referred to as the acronym C.R.A.P. which stands for contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity. Contrast helps to organize your information. You can add contrast with typefaces, rules, colors, spacing between elements, textures, shapes, etc. Repetition unifies all parts of a design. Strong, repetitive elements help to organize the page into visual units. Alignment helps create unity on the page. And when it comes to proximity, group related items together and try to avoid too many separate elements on a page.