Name of Your Web Design Blog
Hourglass User Friendly Web Trends
URL of Your Web Design Blog
Tags Associated with Your Web Design Blog
Navigation, Typography, Web Design, Color Theory, User Friendly
What do you write about in your blog?
Hourglass looks at various categories of websites and how they can be created with the user in mind. There are many beautiful designs on the web, but sometimes they can be difficult for the average person to navigate and find the information they need. I poll typical web users in various subjects to find out what they look for in a particular kind of site, then I analyze the websites to see how well they match with their target audience. At the end of each post, I suggest key points for web designers to keep in mind that were learned during the exercise. I post weekly articles.
Why did you start your blog?
While there are many excellent sites for both the design and technical aspects of web development, there aren't as many blogs concerned with the users. After over ten years as a web designer, I have heard growing rumblings from average visitors that the typical website is difficult to navigate and read— text is too small or key information is left out.
Hourglass was created to give a voice to the concerns of web users and track how well designers have responded. I have also recently begun a series of articles on how color is used online, although still with an emphasis on user friendly uses.
Advice
- Hierarchy is crucial both in navigation and text.
- Font colors should always clearly contrast with the background color.
- Keep plenty of white space, particularly on copy heavy sites.
- Make sure important information is easy to see. If it is a site for a museum, for example, have the location and hours up front and obvious.
- There is no such thing as navigation that is too large— remember that middle aged / elderly visitors have trouble clicking on small text and using menus.
- Never choose a design fad over user friendly design.
