Introduction to Web Design I

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers principles of unified site design, essential web design elements, multiplatform design techniques, and critical factors for website success based on the lecture notes.

Unity in Web Design

A design principle achieved when a website’s design forms a united whole for its contents and elements through their relationships to convey a brand or identity.

Color (Factor of Unity)

The use of certain schemes and combinations to unite different parts of a website under a brand or identity idea.

Repetition

The use of certain parts of a website design to follow a prescribed template, making elements more visible and organized.

Alignment

A factor contributing to visual unity where elements designed around a common theme feel more connected.

Proximity

A unity factor where the closeness between things allows them to belong together.

Visual Direction and Continuity

The practice of inducing the eyes to move easily between intended elements to ensure a unified feel.

Consistency

Implementing design elements like typography so they look like each other and generate connections while appearing unique.

Color (Site Design Essential)

A minimalist approach where a scheme of $2$ colors is considered best to provide a unified look and feel.

Typography

Legible text and fonts that best represent the idea of the message through proper care in spacing and alignment.

Illustration

Graphical content tailored to a specific audience, emphasizing differences in sizes and quality between images.

Layout

The organization of website contents using a specific hierarchy and proper usage of space, particularly white space.

Simplicity

A design quality that conveys a message in the shortest time in a pleasing way without cluttering the mind.

Contrast

The relationship between colors and text investigated to ensure readability is not compromised for aesthetics.

Progressive Enhancement

A technique where the design is created first for platforms with the lowest support for modern features before adding features for newer platforms.

Graceful Degradation

A technique that creates a design for the best platforms first, then adds features for other older platforms that the design can support.

Responsive Design

A technique that uses media queries and fluid grids to adjust the site layout based on different screen resolutions for various devices.

Adaptive Design

A flexible technique where the user experience is optimized individually for each supported device with customized content presentation.

Usability

The aspect of web design focused on making the site user-friendly, especially for visitors who are not professional HTML coders.

Speed

A performance aspect where a page must load within $3$ to $5$ seconds to prevent users from exiting and never returning.

Aesthetics

The look and feel of a page, where a visitor must be impressed within $10$ seconds or they will leave.

Content

Compelling and engaging material where users generally prefer video and interactive features over still images or written text.

Contact Information

Details that should be easily findable from every page on the site to prevent customer frustration.

Site Maintenance

Ensuring every page works $100\%$ of the time, often involving a $24$-hour support system.

Cross-Platform Capability

Ensuring a website works on mobile devices; failure to do so leads $48\%$ of users to believe the site owner does not care.