Websites began as a way of sharing basic textual information across distances and time, allowing a person to view things instantaneously. It was basic in its initial function. Nowadays, people would argue that there are things a website and digital outlets can do that print texts cannot. I would agree. However, that doesn’t mean the two can’t share design principles. Even though websites can be capable of extraordinary feats, they typically require text and color. Where there are text and color, there is always room for universal design choices.
Park asks a few questions of the reader which are pertinent in both digital and print creations. One was particularly interesting for comparative reasons: “If each page…was viewed as a separate unit, would it be apparent that all of them came from the same document?” Typically, when the word page is used it refers to a physical piece of paper. Despite this, a page has also come to define the digital space of a website. In website design, you want to create different pages which all connect back to a singular theme. One page shouldn’t have entirely different formatting or contain text which is irrelevant to the rest of the site. There needs to be a string of continuity and solidarity with the rest of the pages. A page in a medical journal might have blocks of information but it is appropriate given the context and audience of those in the field looking for a particular format. A medical website like WebMD might also have blocks of information but displayed in a way that its intended audience can read and inform themselves with.
One other consideration to make when designing a website these days is accessibility: are you relaying your information in an effective and efficient manner, one with which any reader (or your target audience) can connect? The NCDAE has helpful tips on accessibility for those with impaired abilities which isn’t any less generalizable to the population. They believe a designer’s goal should be to create websites that reach the greatest audience possible. To do so, readability and descriptive visuals can be extremely helpful. One seemingly innocuous suggestion is to utilize white spaces. It sounds trivial but can have big impacts on design. A website or document need not be cluttered for it to be “good”. Sometimes simple is better and white spaces can be great ways to guide attention or give the eye a break.
Color is just as important as accessibility and textual design, perhaps even more so. The human eye recognizes patterns and colors quickly and without great thought. Subconsciously, our minds generate opinions and judgments at a moment’s notice, a notice that can quickly turn a reader off from a creation. A design must take color into account. Whether color is implemented is an entirely different question. One website might decide it needs a striking color that quickly evokes an emotion (like red with hunger) while another website remains minimalist, deciding color isn’t necessary. Never mistake the absence of color as lack of good design. Sometimes color is intrusive and unnecessary.
The website dedicated to basic color theory states that “Extreme unity leads to under-stimulation, extreme complexity leads to over-stimulation. Harmony is a dynamic equilibrium.” From my experience, this is true in most design elements. This is most true when trying to balance accessibility and “good” design. While one does not preclude the other, compromises often need to be made between the two. You want to have just enough stimulation to keep someone interested. At the same time, readers don’t want to be affronted with blocks of text or a menagerie of colors. Despite this, discretion ultimately lies in the designer’s hands. Some pieces might require more accessibility while others still might want to confront an audience and shock them. Under and over-stimulation might be the goal; in that case, if your design choices are made with consideration to the objectives set forth, planned with intent and purpose, I’d consider it “good”.
I like the quote from the color article on over/under stimulation…reminds me of MAYA a bit, as well. But I thought that was cool you tried to apply it to design and accessibility overall.
Also, you write:
“One website might decide it needs a striking color that quickly evokes an emotion (like red with hunger) while another website remains minimalist, deciding color isn’t necessary. Never mistake the absence of color as lack of good design. Sometimes color is intrusive and unnecessary.”
Is there a way to taxonomize color? I’ve often thought about that, and I bet there are resources out there that do this. But every time I think about going down that path (e.g., red for intense emotion), I either lose interest or prioritize elsewhere. Have you thought about this? What other important color associations beyond the basics do you think?