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EdwardTufteAndWebDesign

Web Page Design Inspired by Edward Tufte
This article relates info-mapping guru Edward Tufte's (see Wikipedia:Edward_Tufte) concepts of design to web pages.

Here are some of the key points on good web design:

• Be use centered and user-tested.
• Have intial page be very simple. Include logo and links to:
  • a site map
  • contact information
  • information about the organization responsible
  • a site feedback form or pointers to a discussion group
  • assurances as to security and privacy
  • related sites
  • Information on the technology needed to view subsequent pages in the site
• Other pages
  • use the same look and feel as the home page
  • provide consistent navigation controls
  • display context and location
  • control windows properly
• All pages use:
  • a muted background that does not interfere with overlaying information
  • good contrast between background and text or controls
  • bright colors sparingly to highlight important contents
  • the same color for all items that belong to the same category
  • text unless graphics confer a real advantage
  • visible structural information, such as titles, sub-titles, and bullet lists in place of long paragraphs
  • white space as the primary delimiter
  • substantially reduced text compared with hardcopy
  • spell checking to insure that navigation and search functions work
• Common annoying design defects:
  • Lack of date/time information: most information is volatile to some degree. A "date-last-modified" is essential for most sites, and any time-dependent data on a page needs time documentation
  • Confusing navigation, windows that disable navigation, or too many pop-up windows
  • Initial pages that load too slowly or require plugins or exceptional resources, or scripts that disable browsers
  • Lack of site information, such as a site map and contact information
  • Clutter in terms of a confusing layout, long paragraphs, distracting graphics, gaudy backgrounds, inconsistent use of color (different colors within the same topic or the same color for different topics), moire patterns
  • Insensitivity to technical or user limits: Web pages should provide alternative viewing resources for those with limited browsers, computers, or physical limitations.

In searching for more info on this subject, I came across these additional links:

• http://www.edwardtufte.com/tufte/
• Graphics and Web Design Based on Edward Tufte's Principles - fairly in-depth of review of Tufte's ideas.
• Edward Tufte on Web Design - An account of a lecture by Tufte about web design.

-- LynnwoodBrown - 24 Aug 2004

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