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Font
A common mistake made by amateur web developers is including
too many fonts and typestyles. Just as with print publications,
it is far more effective to use one or two fonts. Too many fonts
and typestyles can confuse the learner and decrease the readability
of text on a computer screen.
For more information on proper fonts and
typestyles on the Web, consult the typography sections in the
Yale
Web Style Guide.
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Color
With color, the rule is to develop a set palette of colors
for your webpage, and maintain the use of those colors throughout.
This leads to a concept known as branding. Large corporations
are fond of branding as it allows consumers to instantly recognize
their product and its image. For example, if I were to say,
"what is the soft drink manufacturer whose product is sold
in a red can", chances are you would say Coke™.
Click here
to view the palette that is used in all knowledge bank lessons.
Do you recognize the colors?
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Graphics
The saying A picture is worth a thousand words is
never more appropriate than when used in the context of webpages.
However, it's important that you understand two concepts when
considering graphical elements:
- Graphics will take longer to download
than text - users on slow Internet connections will become
frustrated if they have to wait for long periods for graphics
to download. While current graphical editing software, such
as Macromedia Fireworks and Adobe Photoshop, have the ability
to optimize (make smaller) images for the web, you should
still carefully weigh the pros and cons of a graphic's use.
- Drawings, photos, or clipart? - Drawings
can be time consuming to create but are effective ways to
explain concepts through graphs, tables, or line art. With
today's quality and cost effectiveness of digital cameras,
photos can easily be taken and included to add interest to
your content. Clipart that comes with standard software packages,
such as Microsoft Office, should be avoided. It's use is a
sure sign of amateur work. It is recommended that you stay
completely away from cartoons as they can be misinterpreted
by international audiences.
For a detailed overview of considerations
regarding graphic use, consult the graphics section in the Yale
Web Style Guide.
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