Week 13-14: Web page layout and design

Have you ever found yourself on a web page that appears to be hundreds of little links in columns and rows? How difficult is it to find what you are looking for? Do you even want to stay on the page?

I know that I wouldn't want to stay on a web page that isn't visually appealing and doesn't direct me quickly to the information I need. That is why design is extremely important in creating web pages. Page layout and design determine how much time the audience will invest in the page. There is no one correct way to design a page. That would be mundane, repetitive and get old very quick.

In this post I want to discuss one web page that is strikingly simple and clear but yet so powerful. Please note the screenshot taken from the homepage of Snow College's webpage. When I first opened this website I was impressed with the design. This website doesn't use images, text boxes and extensive information. It is so powerful because it is able to say more with less. The designer use one simple picture. The football player is crisp and seems to be motivated. The background of the picture is blurred and doesn't draw unneeded attention. Rather it provides useful whitespace to emphasize the crisp image of the athlete. The college utilized the school colors in the name of the school, the logo, and the small orange text box. Each of these are small enough as not to be too domineering. Each add to the design and compliment one another rather than detracting. The web page also uses the rule of thirds and alignment to enhance the document by keeping the orange text box and the logo aligning on the left and right and only taking one third of the screen.

I was truly impressed with this website and its use of many different design principles. It is a testimony to me that design is in understanding all principles and utilizing them to create a better overall whole, rather than focusing on one and hoping the finished product is sufficient.

My editing mistake for this week:

I recently was driving on US 89 heading into Ogden when I saw this marquee. I realize that Chevron probably did not intend to leave the "C" off. It could have broken, merely fallen off or something else. However, it was not fixed and this is what it shows.