| 1.
Backgrounds |
|
Don't
use any background image, texture or color that is
busier, brighter or more colorful than your art. Use
black backgrounds with extreme caution. A black
background increases the contrast of the page and can
overwhelm subtle mid-tones. |
| 2.
Navigation Buttons |
|
Avoid
buttons, especially ones that look like gelcaps. Use
text, not graphics, for navigation links. Using text is
not only cleaner, it is also search-engine-friendly. |
| 3.
Hi-res to Low-res |
|
The
web is low resolution. Graphics appear at 72 pixels per
inch, usually as compressed JPG images that are smaller
than 400 x 400 pixels. Adjust images for brightness and
contrast after reducing the size for web display. |
| 4.
Moody = Muddy |
|
Contrast
rules on the web. Computers are illuminated and don't
use reflective light. Like television, people want pages
to appear "bright." Putting dark images
on a dark background is like hanging your painting
in a poorly lit bar. |
| 5.
Mac v. PC |
|
Love
your Mac but review all your web pages on a PC since
that's what most of your visitors will be using. Text
does not always appear as designed on a Mac. |
| 6.
Say No to Scroll |
|
Design
for a screen resolution of 800x600 pixels or expect a
lot of people to miss what's on the right side. You have
only a few seconds to encourage a visitor to enter the
door of your site. Don't make them have to scroll to see
if they really want to. They may not bother. |
| 7.
Don't use small fonts |
|
Use
10- or 12 pt. fonts or risk insulting everyone over 40.
Your work may be stunning but people want to read about
you. Don't insult them by portraying your site as trendy
with small fonts. |
| 8.
Don't use long lines of text |
|
If you
have a lot of text on a page, use shorter lines or
columns. A basic rule of readability is making it easy
for the reader to find the starting place on the next
line of text. It doesn't happen when the line is long. |
| 9.
Don't use underlines |
|
The
only text that should be underlined in hypertext that is
linked. Use bold or colored text for emphasis, not
underlines. Know your medium! |
| 10.
Do not use text in muted colors |
|
Strong
contrast between text and background is a must.
Practical (readable) should win over pretty. |
