FRIT 7335

Web Design and Development Articles

1. Johnson, J. (2013, 05 03). Should you be designing with qr codes. Retrieved from http://designshack.net/articles/business-articles/should-you-be-designing-with-qr-codes/

In the article, “Should You Be Designing with QR Codes?” the author informs us about the pros and cons of using QR codes on websites to advertise a product or idea. QR codes are quick response codes that are basically a barcode allowing people to obtain information quickly. The QR code is meant to be seen as an image, but it is actually an identifiable pattern that allows a photo to gain access to the patterns source of information. The accessibility and quickness of using the QR codes are an obvious benefit, but the article addresses whether they are truly beneficial. Some have stated that the QR codes tend to be an “interactive advertising piece.” The codes are easy to create and there are free code generators that everyone can access. The main cons that are discussed in the article are the multi-step process to scan the codes, the curiosity that leaves after you scan your first QR code, and the codes become overlooked after users get accustomed to seeing them. The article also gives tips for designing with the codes, which I enjoyed reading about. You should make sure you have an alternative way for them to obtain information, make sure all content can be viewed on a small device (i.e. cellphones), and create ways that draw their attention besides just using the QR code.

The article did a good job of informing the readers of the pros and cons by listing numerous authentic examples. The article also didn’t seem biased which made me question whether I would want use them without outside persuasion. Overall, the article informed me about QR codes and also gave me valuable information in case I want to use them in the future.

2. Debus, R. (2014, 02 05). Terrible web design trends . Retrieved from http://sixrevisions.com/web_design/terrible-web-design-trends/

In the article, “Terrible Web Design Trends,” the author listed out some popular trends in web design and what to consider before falling for the fad. Splash pages are what you see when you come to a website that has sliding photos, videos to greet you, or a lot of visuals are present. While these pages get a user’s attention, they also tend to waste time for people who are looking for a quick answer. A lot of these users opt to skipping the sliding visuals or just leave the webpage. Next, they discussed the Web 2.0 design which is reflections, drop shadows, and effects to pages. The effects look good, but the overall outcome tends to be users seeing an “overcomplicated design.” One trend they discussed and discredited, that I typically use, was inputting stock photos. Using cold and lifeless photos do not get a user’s attention as much as produced photos. One thing the author said to consider is only using the photos if you truly feel they will improve the look of your site. Another trend mentioned was background music. I typically like music and feel that it can add emotion and authenticity to a site, but the author felt different. The author reminded me that some users may have sound muted, or they might be listening to something else. Therefore, if a designer uses music they should not depend on the music to be the “Wow” factor on the site. The trends listed are meant to be a reminder of the fact that all trends have a “shelf-life.” As a designer we need to recognize when changes need to be made, and focus on design ideas that always look professional.

This article puts trending ideas in the spotlight which allows the readers to see that trends don’t always look so good. I feel that the author was a little biased as a conservative designer, but his ideas were relevant and brought some things to light. I was able form an opinion on whether trends were a good idea or not in web design. I feel that the trends mentioned can really help a web page design, but they shouldn’t be used if you aren’t planning on consistently updating the web page.

3. Macpherson, J. (2014, 02 07). What white space can do for you. Retrieved from http://sixrevisions.com/web_design/white-space/

In the article, “What White Space Can Do for You,” the author discusses the importance of using white space as a web designer. There is a myth that “white space is wasted space.” The author puts that to rest in this article. He starts by reminding us of a quote said by typographer Jan Tschichold: “white space is to be regarded an as active element, not a passive background.” This allowed me to start seeing white space as something different from the very start of the article. Internet users scan websites, and they do not typically read everything on the page. White space makes it easier for users to do this. White space also allows users to pick up on the more important information. The article presented visuals that really gave emphasis to certain font or pictures based on white space on the page. The article recognized a study done at Wichita State University that proved comprehension increased when more white space was available around texts. This was also good for me to know so that I can use that information to create the websites in my classroom. The “eye flow” is also mentioned which discusses how the white space also guides users to the focal points on the page. Emphasis is being put on the most crucial parts of the webpage when surrounded by white space. Lastly, the author explained how you can create a grouping of ideas just by spacing them with white space instead of using headings or bullets to be more obvious.

This article really surprised me. I had no idea the benefits of using white space. Designs usually obtained for web page design can cost a lot, but white space is free and we just have to know how to use it! The article encouraged me to use unique and valuable designs and limit them to allow more white space as a part of the design as well.

4. Raynovich, S. (2014, 02 14). 5 tech trends you need to know right now . Retrieved from http://www.cmswire.com/cms/mobile-enterprise/5-tech-trends-you-need-to-know-right-now-024180.php

In the article, “5 Tech Trends You Need to Know Right Now,” the author focused more on infrastructure and data analytics as trends instead of your basic design trends. The article was a little more difficult to follow along with than the others, but I summed up a few points that were made. In order to stay ahead of the trends the author said web designers need to embrace data, gain a good understanding of infrastructure (structures needed) intelligence, and manage growth of networks. Data is becoming a completely new concept. Since we now have more applications data is getting huge, which also makes it harder to analyze if you do not have the right approach. Some trends that were listed that web designers need to recognize are: the fact that a lot of people are using BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) which allows a lot of access to private networks without people knowing, systems need to be put into place ahead of time if you are trying to track data or usage on a webpage, and the cloud is growing and has a lot of users using applications through the cloud.

As I mentioned, this article seemed hard to follow and did not give a lot of knowledge on each concept for those who do not already know about the trend. They did provide a lot of facts and percentages about the trends, but I feel the author could have explained the idea behind each trend.

5. Berenson, R. (2013, 07 02). Five tips for responsive web design. Retrieved from http;//www.nten.org/articles/2013/five-tips-for-responsive-web-design

In the article, “Five Tips for Responsive Web Design,” the author explored the world of users who are running into non-responsive web pages. The article gave tips and ideas to make sure designers are making their pages responsive for everyone on all devices. He stated that your main goal as a designer should be creating a “relevant, intuitive, and impactful experience for your audience.” He put a large emphasis on being sure you plan to meet mobile audiences on whichever use of technology they obtain. Screen sizes are making it difficult for a lot of designers and users who are unsure of how to change the look of the web page. This is the basis for the Responsive Design idea. It is a cost-effective way to make your websites layout adjust for many different screen sizes. Your content contains a front-end coding which a Responsive website will customize how it presents the content and delivers it to the user. The article stressed that planning ahead for this is cost-effective and makes it easier to adjust later on if the web page needs updating. The article also touched on image sizes. CSS Media Queries are small bits of a code that analyze the size of the user’s browser (i.e. tablets, Macs, iPhone) then deliver the proper code to that specific browser. This would save a designer a lot of headache when planning to use certain images.

Overall, this article explained a lot of expectancies for already-designed web pages. I was able to view things I should not do in the future designing process, but I was unable to relate to a lot of the material. The author of the article provided a unbiased look at Responsive Web design, but it also left me with many questions about HOW to use some of the ideas on my own web page.

6. Lazaris, L. (2014, 02 12). w3schools: The ugly, the bad, and the good. Retrieved from http://www.impressivewebs.com/w3schools-ugly-bad-good/

In the article, “w3schools: The Ugly, the Bad, and the Good,” the author went on a rampage about w3schools and what makes them remain at the top, despite all of their weaknesses. I had to research w3 schools because that information was lacking. After doing so, I found that w3schools.com is a site that allows web developers, or inquiring minds, to find out about computer software, programming, engineering, etc. The article gave a lot of reasons why the site is not updated or developed to the extent that it should be. The website uses “aspx” pages but changes the name to look like classic ASP. This makes the website seem shady to some developers who notice what typically should be done. Also, the author states they have way too many scripts. They do not combine the scripts on the page when they should to reduce HTTP requests. The author also discovered the fact that they have duplicate content under different subdomains. This makes the site look “poorly formatted.” One of the worst things uncovered by the author was that their site is not responsive, or mobile-friendly. He does credit the fact that the site is older and rather large, but they are a site providing tools to develop web pages. Therefore, their own web page should exhibit what a great web page looks like. There were some pros listed for using the site. The author found that: almost all pages loaded quickly, they don’t overuse CSS3 and HTML5 effects which allows their pages to be slim and fast, and they seem to have “robot-friendly pages.”

Wow, this article was a little over my head. I found that a lot of the time I had to look up terminology used in the article. I chose the article because w3schools.com looked like a site that I may want to use in the future, but following the author’s points had me confused at times. Overall, seeing all of the design flaws in the site has me hesitant about visiting them often, but I am happy to see the site exist and is easily accessible.

7. Stup, J. (2011, 05 09). 3 reasons design matters on a web site. Retrieved from http://www.woodst.com/web-design-development/3-reasons-design-matters-on-a-web-site/

The article, “3 Reasons Design Matters on a Web Site,” was a great article for upcoming developers or designers. The author pointed out designing flaws and goals that we should have in mind. She put a lot of focus on the user and what is important between the user and the designer. She stated that “users tend to develop their initial level of trust based on superficial elements, i.e. design.” This gave me the perspective that my designing strategies will have a huge effect on the users. I also learned three reasons why design is important, and I agree: first impression, user experience is crucial, and design means control. If a user finds your site and it is hard to use, does not comfort them, or it looks terrible then they are not going to trust the content either. The user’s experience on the site also is a huge factor on whether they will continue navigating while there. “Layout, navigation, and even color” will allow them to keep looking, or keep it moving. While designing you have to keep your goals in mind to be sure you are moving the user in right direction. Design and layout allow you to draw attention where you want it and colors can help create the theme you are looking for. Lastly, the article informed that good design leads to good control. For example, good design can lead the user into other pages or onto parts of the page where you don’t want to obnoxiously send them. Your design takes them down the path that you create. In conclusion, the article makes sure to give credit to planning and testing in order for your creative design to work.

I picked this article because I am very interested in creating a functional and fun website for my students. This article was able to explain how the design plan can draw users in or turn them away. I am trying to entertain and capture the minds of ten year olds to ensure they complete assignments, so this article stuck out to me. The author was able to use basic/beginner terminology to explain the importance of design. After reading, I have a good understanding of which parts of the design phase need to be seriously tested and perfected. My favorite part of reading this article was being able to relate what the author was saying to what I have already accomplished on my own web page.

8. Bailey, J. (2013, 10 09). Anyone can make a website. Retrieved from http://www.woodst.com/graphic-design-marketing/anyone-can-make-a-website/

In the article, “Anyone Can Make a Website,” I learned that I have a chance. Obviously I picked this article because I am a new designer and I wanted to see what I could look forward to and not hate about web design. The author explained that the important thing is to make sure your page actually stands out from the other billion and commands attention. The article informs us that it takes focus and practice to reach this goal as a designer. The article explains that what makes you stand out is your “unique perspective.” This allows designers the opportunity to make the web page their own and put their personality and ideas into motion. The author states that the uniqueness that you exhibit should go into everything you do. I took this idea as giving you a “stamp” of creativity. Once you find it, you should continue to use it. The article says as a designer you should be “invaluable.” You want to be the resource that people can’t live without. The article gives three tools that designers should use: know your audience, write for their needs, and offer services or products they need.

The author’s personality really shined in this article. I felt that it was a much-enjoyed and welcome personality when you are reading about uniqueness. This article puts a spin on creating a website by focusing on the fun and creative side of the process. While he does this, he also focuses on what catches and keeps a user wanting more of YOUR design. This is important to me, because again I am looking to engage the minds of ten year olds and stand out from the rest.