Web Design, 3 rd Edition 2 Web Publishing Fundamentals

Chapter Objectives  Describe the advantages of Web publishing  Discuss basic Web design principles  Define the requirements for writing for the Web  Explain the use of color as a Web design tool  Identify Web publishing issues Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals2

Advantages of Web Publishing  Web publishing offers distinct advantages over print –Currency –Interactivity –Reduced production costs –Rapid, economical delivery Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals3

The Currency Advantage  Web sites can be updated continuously and inexpensively, while print publications are only as current as their date of publication  To keep visitors on your site, always supply timely, changing material  USATODAY.COM—provides updated weather, stock info, news seconds after the events occur Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals4

The Currency Advantage Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals5

The Interactivity Advantage  Internet and Web technologies promote data and resource sharing  Two main ways to interact: –Page of contact information—address, , phone numbers of company –Blogs—communication between company, vendors, customers, business partners –Web-based forms—gather info from visitors –Member pages—creative methods to promote interactivity (post comments, polls) Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals6

The Interactivity Advantage Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals7

The Cost Advantage  Web publishing is more cost effective than print publishing  Colorful designs, photographs, and text can be included in a Web page for considerably less cost  Don’t forget to consider file size, space limitations, and load time Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals8

The Delivery Advantage  Distributing information via the Web can be significantly faster and less expensive  With the same immediacy and cost, the Web can reach both global and local audiences  Consider the Web when the need exists for economical and rapid distribution of information Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals9

Basic Web Design Principles  Three things to consider when designing a successful Web publication that will leave a distinct impression: –Balance and Proximity –Contrast and Focus –Unity and Visual Identity Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals10

Balance and Proximity  Arrange Web elements symmetrically (centered and balanced) to suggest a conservative, safe, peaceful atmosphere –Avoid too much symmetry (boring, uninteresting)  Arrange Web elements asymmetrically (off balance) to create a fun, energetic mood Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals11

Balance and Proximity Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals12

Balance and Proximity  Proximity (closeness) is closely associated with balance  Elements that have a relationship should be placed close to each other  White space can help define proximity and organize Web page elements Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals13

Balance and Proximity Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals14

Contrast and Focus  Contrast is a mix of elements to stimulate attention –Use different text styles, colors, and size Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals15

Contrast and Focus  Focus is the center of interest or activity  A Web page needs a focal point –This is where you want your visitors to focus their attention  Create Web pages with contrast to elicit awareness and establish a focal point, the center of interest or activity Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals16

Unity and Visual Identity  Web pages and Web sites need unity, a sense of oneness or belonging, to create the visual identity  Create unity with consistency and repetition throughout a Web site Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals17

Unity and Visual Identity Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals18

Unity and Visual Identity  Alignment is the arrangement of objects in fixed or predetermined positions  Focusing on alignment ensures Web pages have a consistent, structured, presentation  Choose one method of alignment and use it regularly Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals19

Unity and Visual Identity Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals20

Unity and Visual Identity Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals21

Writing for the Web  Visitors typically look for information with: –Accuracy and currency –Scannability –Organization Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals22

Writing for the Web  Accuracy and Currency –Confirm the accuracy of your material with a reliable source –Be sure to avoid spelling and grammar errors –Indicate the date of the last update to your Web site Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals23

Writing for the Web  Scannability –Make information easy to scan –Use headings, subheads, and bulleted lists –Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence –“Chunked text” Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals24

Writing for the Web  Organization –Write your copy in the inverted pyramid style –Summary first –Followed by details –Background info Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals25

Color and the Web  Color can be a powerful design tool  The color wheel can help you choose effective and appealing color combinations –Primary colors—red, yellow, blue –Secondary colors—orange, green, purple –Cool colors—green, blue, purple (tranquility) –Warm colors—yellow, orange, red (activity) –Complementary colors—opposite on color wheel Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals26

The Color Wheel Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals27

The RGB Color System  Monitors project color using the RGB color System –Combines red, green, and blue light –Levels of intensity are measured from 0 – 255 –Not all monitors can display all colors Web-safe palette—set of 216 of 256 colors for 8-bit monitor Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals28

Target Audience Expectations  Certain colors have come to symbolize particular qualities  Keep in mind the qualities generally associated with different colors when selecting colors for your Web site  Review several commercial and noncommercial Web site color schemes Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals29

Web Publishing Issues  Successful Web publishing includes recognizing the following issues: –Technical –Legal and ethical –Accessibility –Usability –Design techniques Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals30

Technical Issues  Bandwidth is the quantity of data that can be transmitted in a specific time frame –Keep file sizes to a minimum –Corel Paint Shop Pro® or Adobe Photoshop CS3 can decrease image file size  Browser differences –Graphical vs. Non-graphical display Alternative text—description for each image that loads in a Web page in place of turned-off images Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals31

Technical Issues  How alternative text works Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals32

Technical Issues  Monitor Resolution –The measure of sharpness and clarity –A pixel is a single point in an electronic image –Page elements display differently at different resolutions –Use percentages instead of pixels to define width Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals33

Legal and Privacy Issues  Copyright –Easy to acquire images from the Web –Make sure the material on your Web site is free of copyright infringement Ownership of intellectual property –Obtain written permission from the owner to use any copyrighted material –Protect your work by copyrighting your material © 2008 Mrs. Hartley Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals34

Legal and Privacy Issues  Privacy Issues –Cautiously give out personally identifiable information (PII) (SS#, credit card, address) –Encryption—changes data, encodes it –Decryption—process that changes it back –Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)— –Cookies—small text files, help when you return –Privacy policy statement—how gathered info is used Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals35

Legal and Privacy Issues Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals36

Accessibility and Usability Issues  Web Accessibility –Consider access by visitors with special needs Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)—consortium of agencies representing people with special needs –Utilize resources and tools to make your Web pages more accessible to people with special needs –Section 508—requires US govt agencies to use accessibility technologies to ensure special needs people can access public info Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals37

Chapter Summary  Describe the advantages of Web publishing  Discuss basic Web design principles  Define the requirements for writing for the Web  Explain the use of color as a Web design tool  Identify Web publishing issues Chapter 2: Web Publishing Fundamentals38

Web Design, 3 rd Edition 2 Web Publishing Fundamentals