Monday, October 15, 2012

Unit 2 Reading


It’s funny how with information design; we strive to make things clear and understandable. The layout and design should be recognized immediately for fast retrieval and navigation. Yet, on the other hand, it is that thinking that hinders certain aspects of great design. Designs that are expected and have been seen many times before are boring and uninteresting. Layout is one area where design can be really set apart, and yet it needs to have particular characteristics in order for it to be considered successful.

Sometimes I wonder if keeping the word count down is more a product of our shortening attention spans or visual hierarchy. I’m sure it comes from both of course. Besides seeming intimidating or busy, lines and lines of words are just confusing in general because attention is pulled here and here and over here. But why is it intimidating in the first place? Part of it seems like it’s because we don’t want to commit that much time or energy. I don’t think it’s too much to handle, we just don’t want to deal with it.



I’m not sure I agree with everything said in here, but it’s a list of conventions to keep in mind.


I myself dislike drop down menus on many sites because they are ugly and confusing. When I am designing I love drop down menus because they clear space and organize simultaneously.


Mobile web design intimidates me because there is much less space and breathing room to work with. Visual hierarchy is extremely important.


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