Sites that demonstrate Design Techniques and Principles

Here are a variety of sites related to Week 2 topics that you might enjoy exploring. As you look at these sites, try to think about how well they demonstrate or ignore the techniques and principles discussed in the lecture notes. Please note: the links should open in a new browser window.

Site Design Tips
http://webdesignledger.com/tips/20-dos-and-donts-of-effective-web-design
The Dos and Don'ts of Effective Web Design. A good overview on how to design an effective web site.

Tips, techniques, and resources from Smashing Magazine. Check out the Design and Inspiration categories!
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/

Characteristics of Well-Designed Web Sites

Hierarchy/Organization
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/
This page contains a lot of information. How does it organize the information to make it quickly understandable and visually appealing?

http://www.purina.com/choosing-a-pet/
Good hierarchy and organization.

http://www.equinoxsearch.com/about_us.php
Clear organization of headings and subheadings.

Focal Point
http://concentric-studio.com/
Photos make a strong focal point.

http://www.thewisegardener.com/
Strong focal point or conflict between elements?

http://www.leewallat.com/intro_design/focal_pt.htm
A one-page overview of focal point usage.

Eyeflow
http://murgau.ch/proj_optimal.php
Are your eyes guided through the information on this page? What elements/shapes are used to create eyeflow?

http://www.kellychauffeurdrive.ie/
Which design elements are used to guide your eyes at this site?

http://www.healthyeating.org/
What happens to your eye movement on pages like this? How are the elements impeding eyeflow?

White Space and Simplicity
http://www.gesturetheory.com/
This site uses large areas of negative space and repeats a simple circle theme.

http://www.boxtop.net/contact/
White space is inviting, and can be used to organize information.

http://www.fajutedesigns.com/
White space isn't necessarily white!

Balance: symmetrical or assymetrical?
http://www.lastplace.com/
Oh, so centered! Centered type might be symmetrically balanced but it's hard to read and does not create good eyeflow.

http://www.pbs.org/ktca/americanphotography/
Slightly off-center adds visual appeal

http://www.smultronlab.com/

http://www.charliedion.fr/

Consistency
http://www.plantwithpurpose.org/
Basic layout stays the same throughout the site.

http://www.essl.leeds.ac.uk/graduate-school/about/
Consistent column layout and use of lines.

Unity
http://www.counterspace.us/typography/default.htm
Which design characteristics help create unity in this web site?

Visual Appeal and Originality
http://www.wolvesburrow.com/
If your site is creative and original viewers will want to return. What can you do to appeal to your audience?

What’s wrong with these sites?

http://www.cat-domain.com/index.htm
Which design principles and techniques need to be applied to this site? Is the cursor design an enhancement or distraction?

http://www.napanet.net/~mfc/
What about contrast and white space?

http://www.indiana.edu/~ensiweb/
This is a little too much to handle! Take some Tylenol first!!