Busy Background

"Busy" Background:

One of the most common mistakes made when laying out a page is to use a background image that interferes with the viewer's ability to read the page. Having a very detailed, complicated or color-saturated photograph or pattern as the background to a page or table can make it almost impossible for the viewer to read the text on the page.

Pointers for Proper Web Design

First of all, PLAN out what you are going to do. Storyboard or use some other method to determine what is going on which web page and what connects/links to what else, thereby deciding how many pages you will need to have. Try to design a layout template or style that best presents your information/data and stick with it. While designing, choose colors that add to your presentation and that work well together. Come up with a color scheme or plan, and use it throughout.

Secondly, don't wait until the last minute to design your page(s). It is likely to take longer than you may think. Web pages are a visual representation of your data. If you want to keep your audience's interest you have to have an organized, well-balanced, consistently understandable interface. It is a framework for the presentation of your information. Even if your content is well researched and complete, If you don't plan out your design with an eye towards ease of navigation, your viewers will have to struggle more to comprehend your topic(s). Good web pages are not just a collection of data, they must provide an organized, comprehensible and consistent experience for the viewer.

If you absolutely MUST use a background photo or pattern, you need to make it a subtle one. Fade it out. Mute it so the viewer can easily read the text on the page.

Pointers for Proper Web Design

First of all, PLAN out what you are going to do. Storyboard or use some other method to determine what is going on which web page and what connects/links to what else, thereby deciding how many pages you will need to have. Try to design a layout template or style that best presents your information/data and stick with it. While designing, choose colors that add to your presentation and that work well together. Come up with a color scheme or plan, and use it throughout.

Secondly, don't wait until the last minute to design your page(s). It is likely to take longer than you may think. Web pages are a visual representation of your data. If you want to keep your audience's interest you have to have an organized, well-balanced, consistently understandable interface. It is a framework for the presentation of your information. Even if your content is well researched and complete, If you don't plan out your design with an eye towards ease of navigation, your viewers will have to struggle more to comprehend your topic(s). Good web pages are not just a collection of data, they must provide an organized, comprehensible and consistent experience for the viewer.

As you can see, text placed in front of a faded or muted background works much better. The question left for the designer is whether the background really adds to the page or whether the page could be just as effective if it had a simple, colored or plain background.

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UMF Instructional Media Center: 3-23-05

Stacey Hodges

shodges@maine.edu