Chapter 2 - Web Site Design Principles

This chapter covers the design principles that you will apply to your web page design as you work through this book. By examining current web design theories and viewing a variety of web sites, you learn to focus on both the user’s needs and the requirements of the content you want to deliver.

The sample web pages in this chapter come from a wide range of sites. The web is so far-reaching in content and design that no collection of pages can represent what is typical. Most of the samples illustrate good design principles, although some contain design defects as well. In truth, almost every site has one flaw or another, whether it is a confusing interface, overambitious design, or poor accessibility. Judge the samples with a critical eye. Look for elements of design that you can transfer to your own work. As you progress through the book, you will practice and apply these principles to your own web design efforts.

When you complete this chapter, you will be able to:

Web Resources

Browser News

CNET browser info

Internet Browser Review

Latest browser market share statistics

Wireless and wired broadband subscriber statistics

Screen resolution statistics

Example Sites

Example site designs may have changed since the book publish date.

National Park Service

Mashable

Pew Research

Los Angeles Zoo

The Guardian

Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

Internal Revenue Service

Wall Street Journal

The Boston Globe

Scholastic

ESPN

Langdon College