Web page design is evolving as users change the way they approach information online.

• If the site needs to employ “user education” before it can be navigated, then it doesn’t work
• Design of site should support work model of user
• Sites use should be self evident
• Users should immediately know what it is about, why it is there, how to use it
• Visual clutter forces people to think too hard
• Create “sticky” content that keeps users on site until they find what they need

SEE presentation Infomation Design for the New Web by Ellyssa Kroski – http://infotangle.blogsome.com/

Main points of talkUsers:

• People are changing the way they consume info
• Homepage should me less cluttered, more like flickr, Google
• Today’s pages need to be SIMPLE, SOCIAL, OFFER ALTERNATIVE NAVIGATION
• Choice overload frustrates people
• Web applications: necessary features only, less is more
• NO software, manuals, registration = Do it yourself model
• Users have LOW LEARNING CURVE

Graphic design:

• everything is beta
• style should respond to changes; clean, simple
• eliminate unnecessary elements
• centered design
• rounded edges
• san serif and lower case fonts to be comfortable, casual
• large font to point out main purposes
• strong colors, not monochromatic
• simple icons
• white space
• simple icons

Navigation:

• obvious
• set apart
• persistent

User interface:

• AJAX
• Large tabs
• Drag and drop functionality
• Auto complete functionality
• Mapping
• Previews (SNAP technique)

QUESTIONS

How can the HCL home page be designed to accommodate two audiences (students, staff/faculty) with different bu sometimes overlapping information needs?

How can the HCL site be further refined to serve research and instruction needs?

Could you be comfortable with an HCL site that is in perpetual beta?

What is the best way to involve stakeholders in the ongoing development of the HCL web site? In the develoment of online resources, like research guides?