When designing for screen, it is important to consider and identify the device being designed for as many have their own coding language that is required in order for the visuals to be displayed correctly. Such languages include the following:
- HTML - Hyper Text Mark-up Language
- CSS - Cascading Style Sheets
- Java - Android Language
- SQL - Database Language
- PHP - Server Based Language
- iOS - Apple Language
- Ruby - Twitter Langauge
- Java script - Advanced effects & added interactivity/functionality
Designing for Browsers
Another consideration when designing for screen, websites in this instance, is the browser being used/designed for - these being the software through which we access the internet:
- Google Chrome
- Firefox
- Safari
- Opera
- Internet Explorer
Further to this consideration is the device being designed for, as some websites may exist across multiple platforms and have device-specific web-pages. These devices include:
- Desktop Computers
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Mobile Phones
- Televisions
There terminology used for websites that are able to adapt is a 'responsive' website.
In circumstances where entire webpages are condensed visually into smaller device points of delivery, such as large menus, an 'accordion menu' may be used to make greater use of space and order information more relevantly to the device/platform being used for access. This menu, as suggested through its name, features a series of three equally spaced horizontal lines in a column and is used copiously in mobile web and app design.
Resolution
While many people are aware that the optimum resolution for print in 300ppi, fewer are aware of the optimum resolution for screen - this being 72ppi.
Resolutions for retina screens are capable of using more than 72ppi for increased accuracy and definition, however 72ppi remains a strong favourite as a result of its ability to create smaller file sizes which give faster speeds to webpages.
Fast loading webpages are of vital importance in terms of user experience when considering that the amount of time given by a user before leaving a website is just 2.6 seconds.
Designing for Accessibility
Screen readers are programmes that read out the contents of a computer screen to a user. Most commonly used by those with visual impairments, these allow for greater accessibility to those who would otherwise be unable to access information online.
In the same way that many countries have legislations that require public buildings to be accessible to those with disabilities, many laws have also been passed that require websites to be accessible to those with a disability.
Type on Screen
Perviously, web designers needed to use standard fonts (12) as computers used the fonts installed on the computer to display on screen.
These days, specific fonts can be installed to a website - however a license must be owned to distribute this typeface. Alternatively, a royalty-free typeface can be used. It is illegal to distribute type through any commercial format without the correct permissions.
Code
HTML code used tags to divide each element of a web-page within an open & close tag. Tags act like containers. They tell you something about the information which lies between the open and close tags. e.g.
<HTML>
<head>
<title>
<body>
Closed tags are required for each word.
With HTML coding, WYSIWYG...What you see is what you get.
<html> - Tells browser the language that will be used.
<head> - Nothing is visible, added functionality.
<title>
*title*
</title>
</head>
With coding, code is also staggered as below:
<html>
<head>
<title>
*title*
</title>
</head>
<body>
*body type*
</body>
</html>
The first page of a website must be saved as 'index.html' - After this linked pages can be named anything appropriate to the site and its pages.
No comments:
Post a Comment