Website 2.0

The first point in the article I found really interesting was the idea of simplicity. To be completely honest I wanted my website to be simple because I thought it would be easier. However, according to the article there are a few key benefits to simplicity.

Firstly, since the viewers on the internet tend to act impulsively having less content to distract them with offers the opportunity to hone in their focus on specific elements of a website, such as shopping. The article is careful to point out this does not necessarily mean minimalist. There can still be several items on a page just not an over abundance of distractions such as the old Geocites. According to the article the result of a simplistic set up is, “that you have to look at the content. You find yourself interacting with exactly the screen features the designer intended. And you don’t mind – it’s easy, and you get just what you came for.” This approach keeps the viewer's attention exactly where the website creator wants them to notice.

This applies to my website as I am trying to keep the web pages simple by having only a few articles per page. I am also only looking to do one flash element on a drop down menu as opposed to several icons or animations.

The second point I found important was the avoidance of multiple columns. Keeping everything in one simple flowing pattern will definitely help keep the navigation easy. My website only has one navigation bar located on the left-side. Using this space and only this space for navigation will insure all of my links work and the viewer has access to everything on my website. Too many columns will leave the viewer with a sense of confusion. According to the article there is a major flaw with multiple columns, “The downside of this layout is that you don’t know where to start looking. Everything is somehow low-priority”.

The final point I found important was the separation of the top banner. Aesthetically, this is like the cover to a book. It gives off a formality to the viewer and tell them that this is where to start. According to the article, “It also starts the site/page experience with a strong, bold statement. This is very “2.0″-spirited. I like strong, simple, bold attitude.” This means that even if the viewer instantly navigates away from the page they at least know vaguely what it's about. In many ways the top banner is like a welcome mat welcoming the viewer to your website.

I found this important for my website as I also will have a top banner. I tried to make this eye popping and bold by using a crumpled paper texture. Because my website is mostly white on black I feel like this banner will really pop on the screen.

There are also a few of these conventions I am not following with this website. I am not using the recommended strong colors. I wanted to keep mine simple with black and white to make the pictures and word files fit in rather than stand out. Overall, I would like my website to sort of seem like a journal. Hopefully, this will be effective as even without bright colors I try to separate space with my colors. 

Website Design Guide: http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-design/web-2-0-design-style-guide/#simplicity