Guest Author - Stephanie L. Watson
Few things can be as frustrating as waiting for a graphics-heavy website to load, only to find that the graphics really don’t work well at all, or worse, detract from the original intention of the website itself. Because of some of these problems, it is important to remember, when designing a website, how to use graphics effectively and to your advantage. There are several things to consider when designing a website for which graphics will be used. Graphics can be used to keep the user’s attention, to help explain certain concepts visually, and to assist in creating structure for the information on the page.
The graphics should assist or enhance the structure of the page, not overwhelm it. Images should not be out of place or disrupt the flow of text information. Images should also not be so different from the tone and theme of the website that they are more glaring than helpful. When using images, be sure to use the smallest file size you can manage without losing quality of the image. Large image files take longer to load and can cause frustration for those trying to read your website with slow Internet connections.
When placing images, take care to place them in such a way as to guide the user’s vision to the area of information you want them to look at. Images should direct user attention, not distract them. If the page is over cluttered with images, it can be confusing and distracting, making it difficult to read. It is also important to remember that not every concept on your page needs a visual representation. Choose only the most important elements to represent visually to avoid image clutter and overwhelming the user.
When selecting images to use, you might think it is important to use images that are bright and eye catching, with lots of brilliant colors. It is OK to use these types of images if you only use one or two. however, if every image is bright or even to intense, they become distracting. Funny and animated images must be used carefully, because while you might find an image funny, users might not. Also, too many animated images can also cause distraction, and even mild annoyance.
If you plan to rely on images to convey information, always consider also presenting the information in text. Consider that not everyone will be able to view the images on your website depending on what browser they are using and what kind of connection they have access to. Vital information that can only be seen on an image is missed by those who can’t see the images, so always consider providing a backup of the information in a text version for those who have trouble loading images.
Finally, always make sure the images show up clearly on the website, and that the font and background and colors you are using don’t clash with the images or make it difficult to see the images. Careful and well placed use of images can truly enhance your website and make it memorable.
