Some Basics of Good Web Page Design

1.  Keep the overall design “clean.”

  1. Be consistent in the use of font sizes, colors, color contrast, text alignment, etc.
  2. Use only 1-2 different fonts on a page
  3. Pick a standard scheme for the “look and feel” of a course and stick to it

2.  Use graphics appropriately

  1. Graphics draw the readers’ eyes first – place them on the page appropriately so that the graphic draws the readers to the content, not past it
  2. Use graphics that add to the conceptual understanding or serve as motivators – don’t use unrelated graphics
  3. When using graphics as a consistent theme throughout a course, make sure the theme adds to the understanding and doesn’t add confusion
  4. When using multiple graphics, be sure the proporotions make sense (i.e. don’t use a huge apple graphic in one corner and a tiny person in the adjacent corner)

3.  Consider the principles of universal design

  1. Universal design is the idea of creating web pages/electronic materials in a way that allows the widest possible use by people with differing abilities and disabilities
  2. An easy place to get information about universal design is the Center for Applied Special Technology (www.cast.org)
  3. Test your web pages by using Bobby (http://www.cast.org/bobby), a tool that will examine a web page and point out places for improvement in terms of accessibility and universal design principles

4.  It is NOT necessary to fill every square inch of the page

  1. Use white space to set off titles, sections, etc.
  2. Leave consistent spaces between elements (i.e. if the first heading has two lines of white space between it and the next text, always use two lines between headings and text)

5.  Always keep the audience/users in mind

  1. Consider the reading level and vocabulary of the user
  2. More motivational cues might be necessary for younger students
  3. Familiar symbols/icons can improve usabililty for non-English-speakers

Design resources:

The Non-Designer’s Design Book by R. Williams

Web-Design for Dummies by L. Lopuck

Web Style Guide by P. J. Lynch & S. Horton

Technology resource:

Computer and Web Resources for People with Disabilities- A Guide to Exploring Today’s Assistive Technology by The Alliance for Technology Access