The Functional Web Design

My initial introduction to creating a web site was with ICS 101. One of our projects was to create a personal home page. We were given a step by step guideline for the design. I strayed very little (if at all) from the guideline. I honestly got little out of that experience. The next time I was given the task of creating a creating a web site was about four months ago, for Psychology 409b. I faced this task with apprehension.

For this page I did a little research about web designs. I have become more aware of certain aspects about web designs. I have come to see the importance of effects of the appearance of a web page on another?s senses and initial reaction. A web page that is bold and flashy may impression upon a visitor the initial sensation of harshness and have the undesired effect of driving away visitors. There is also a sense of beauty and harmony to the way information flows and is connected within a page though the uses of fonts, links, and frames. My goal for this report is to pass on some of the knowledge I picked up from my research.

Comments: I found Scott?s report to be encouraging. Like Scott, I was a little worried about having to publish my assignments and spend so much time on the computer. Scott revealed his initial anxiety and how the experience eventually got easier and even enjoyable. This is encouraging news for students with little or no experience with computers and creating web pages. The quote I pick reminds me that although it is important to consider how a reader will see my page; I will not be able to please everyone. One have to find a balance between taking a reader?s perspective into consideration and pleasing oneself with the appearance of the website.

Breakdown of the Sucky to Savvy website:
The pages of this website can be broken down into three main categories: things that are sucky, things that are savvy, and extra tips.

Things that are Savvy
The following are comprise his sucky list:

Glover describes each item in the above list, explains why they are "sucky", and offers tips on how to deal with them. Some of these items can still be used and not make a web page "sucky". I have seen some website that are able to use frames well. I have also encounter website that have use frames in the most annoying way. Sometimes it takes a long time for a page with frames to load. Other times a web site contains too many frames. When I encounter either of these to situation I usually avoid the web site. Glover gives some useful tips for those who do want to use frames. One should consider if they have a need for the use of frames. I feel that if the frames help to better organize the website and are easy to navigate with then they are fine to use.

Sometime strong or loud backgrounds drive me away from websites. When deciding to what type of background to use, consider the purpose of the website.

I feel that a web site that has an article or a report should try to keep the background soft or simple. In these cases the focus is more on the information being report than on the detailed appearance of the page. The appearance should not distract the visitors from the information in these types of pages.

Things that are Savvy
The following are comprise his savvy list:

The main theme I found when going through his savvy list is that the web designer should try to accommodate the visitors who will want to explore web site. Be considerate. Offer the visitor plug-in that will enhance his/her experience with the website. Try to find ways to simplify navigation through the website and increase speed.

Extra Tips:
The following comprise his extra tips list:

In Myths & Mistakes I discovered the truth behind one of the myths I held. I have believed that the way a search engine rated the relevancy of a topic was to count the number of time a topic word is mentioned throughout the page. Wrong!! According to Glover most search engines rate Meta tags first. Home page creators and use meta tags to write their own description of the content of the web page. The search engines will display this description.

Final comments:
I found this web site to be very helpful. It pointed out many features a web design that I had not been aware of. I reminded me to consider my purpose for creating a web page when designing the appearance of the page. It is also important to consider who the target audience will be.

A second home: Dr. Leon James referred to his home page as his second home. I had never really considered a place in cyberspace to be like a home. I saw a web page something more like a piece or art or a book rather than a home. A web page shared one?s ideas, thoughts, knowledge, and even emotions. I do not consider an artwork or a book to be a home. Why is a home page different? A home page is a place for the mind to enter and visit. A person creates a home page, decorates, etc. I believe that one?s environment reflects a person?s personality. A web page is a virtual home that does the same thing. Just as a physical home is cleaned, fixed up are rearranged periodically so is the virtual home.

Psychological characteristics of hypertext links: Objects that are created by humans have psychological characteristics. Human motivation, desire, and need may drive one to created new things. Hypertexts links are created by humans for a reason. The reasons differ. Dr. Leon James points out three characteristics of links: affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor. The affective aspect reflects the creators motivate and desire for using the links. The cognitive aspect reflects the knowledge that is created by using the links to tie in information. The sensorimotor aspect deals with the appearance and location of the links. Is the link at the top of the page created with a fancy font or is it nestled quietly nestled within a text?

Remember my introduction? I started this class with very little knowledge about publishing my assignments onto the internet. I honestly did not look forward to the task. I am glad that I took this class. I believe that the best way to learn is to jump in and do the work. I have gained a lot of knowledge through my mistakes. I?m the type of person who likes to figure out my own mistakes. I feel great when I finally figure out what I did wrong and a tiny mistake has a big impact on the appearance of my web page.

Note to the future generations: The best way to deal with any anxiety about the assignments is to just do them. Do not wait to the last minute to do the assignments. As a classmate or Dr. James for help if you need it. I haven?t encountered a single person who has denied my request for help.