Dan Olsavsky's Blog

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Platt College - Lecture Notes 7

Per our discussion last week, these are common mistakes that I am still seeing:

1.

Problem - Navigation

Solution - Simplify your navigation! Try using tabs, rectangles with solid backgrounds, rectangles with a simple gradient or rectangles with rounded corners. These styles are hot right now and very easy to design.

Remember, the navigation is the second most important element on a website. It needs to be easy to find and easy to use...dont get too fancy. Most users do not see the design, they see the information.

2.

Problem - Layout

Solution - Try making a grid.

Solution - Content is the most important element on a webpage. It should be placed in to the design before anything else.

Solution - Try adding everything that you have first, for example, you have the content, links, and calls to action. Simply type them on the composition and move them around as you see fit.

5.

Cohesiveness

Problem - Too many styles in the same design

Solution - Use only one or two different styles per design. For instance, if your call to action box for a coupon is 225x100, with a grey background and a blue title bar...duplicate this same style for other calls to action. If you want something to really stand out, break the rhythm and do something different..but it should still look like it belongs on your site.

Additional

Get inspired! You are all new at designing websites but not new to viewing them. Use your favorite websites as guidance and inspiration. See something you like...copy the style and make it your own.

Simplify your designs. Remember that for some, it will be their first experience navigating through a website. Clearly define your navigation from your banner, from your content..and so on, while keeping a rhythm to the design.

- Dan Olsavsky

posted by dano at 1:20 PM

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