I enjoy connecting people and cultures through language – written, spoken and visual.\u00a0\u00a0 On these pages I will be sharing my experience, insights and the occasional image , so that it may in some way be beneficial to your\u00a0 lives and work.\u00a0\u00a0 I look forward to your feedback, comments and ultimately to starting a dialogue.<\/p>\n
Design is such an integral part of our lives, that we are usually not aware of the role it plays.\u00a0 We are surrounded by houses and furniture\u00a0 wear clothes and shoes, drive cars, buy packaged foods, books, videos, the newest electronic gear and are exposed to some form of advertising\u00a0for all of these. The products, the brands they bear and the communications have all been designed<\/span> \u2013 generally to attract our attention, influence our decision to buy, own, use and return to again and again.<\/p>\n And where do we see, hear and buy? On The Web.\u00a0 The medium that has taken on a predominant role in how and where we get our information, form opinions and buy and sell products. \u00a0 With the advent of the internet and the digital age, we are inundated with a constant flow of high speed communication that is interactive, prompting us to constantly act or react.\u00a0\u00a0 The result: Shorter attention spans, the need for instant gratification, smaller, more easily digestible nuggets of information – or what the 24\/7 news media have dubbed \u201csound bites”.<\/p>\n A Website\u2019s ability to grab our \u00a0interest is very much a factor of its design. No matter how relevant or interesting the content, presentation is key.<\/p>\n What constitutes good design?\u00a0 There are probably as many different opinions on this subject as there are websites.\u00a0 Is Web 2.0 with the promise of\u00a0 superior interactive experience and cutting edge design the answer?\u00a0 As someone whose life & work has revolved around the visual and contextual aspects of communication, I\u2019d like to share some of the principles that I have found effective.<\/p>\n Understatement<\/span><\/strong><\/span>: \u00a0Yes, minimalism- clean, uncluttered, with lots of white space, so the message gets through. Too many websites appear to be designed as if they were prime real estate where every inch of space must be amortized (a pet peeve). Visual Imagery<\/span><\/strong><\/span>:\u00a0 If properly used, strong but simple visual elements and minimal imagery enhance a site and make it memorable, inviting return visits. The principles that characterized successful print advertising are eminently relevant \u201can intelligent, often witty headline and text-only ad can be as emotional if not more so than “big headlines and color pictures”.<\/p>\n Content:<\/strong><\/span><\/span> Even if you have a lot to say (I should take my own advice), focus the content per page on a few well-defined messages, so that the sheer volume doesn\u2019t intimidate and turn away even motivated, interested visitors.<\/p>\n A rule of thumb that has proven effective:\u00a0 Place your key messages – the ones most likely to generate interest, grab attention and hold it\u00a0 – in the upper half of the page, especially the home page.\u00a0 Here is where well-structured navigation will enable you to provide the information in a succession of doses that are easy to absorb and retain.<\/p>\n In a Web 2.0\u00a0 age “Less is More” rules.<\/p>\n If you’re thinking of creating a Website or would like to upgrade an existing one, think about using these tips. You will see results.<\/p>\n I enjoy connecting people and cultures through language – written, spoken and visual.\u00a0\u00a0 On these pages I will be sharing my experience, insights and the occasional image , so that it may in some way be beneficial to your\u00a0 lives … Continue reading
\nUser-friendliness<\/span><\/span>:<\/strong> Design for easy access with clearly defined and easy to read menu buttons and intuitive navigation .\u00a0 With the few nanoseconds of initial attention a home page generally gets, tiny, unattractive menu elements, confusing or complicated navigation will inevitably lead to a quick click away from the site. The potential user\/customer has been lost and will probably not return.
\nColor:<\/span> <\/span><\/strong>Focus on two or three signature colors that can be repeated or varied in tone and shade. Less is definitely more here. \u00a0The result will be twofold:<\/p>\n\n
\nwww.ellistrauss.com<\/address>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"