Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Unit 2 Reading

Almost got ahead of myself & forgot to post!


Chapters 3,4 & 5

It is logical to adopt the simple standards of size & magnitude indicating priority. It can be done in creative, entertaining methods. It was amusing using the term “conventions” in one of its least used definitions. Made me think of how unconventionally some maps are formatted – such as putting north to the right instead of the top. Some people have a very hard time grasping that simple variation. We have become dependent on simplicity & find grandiose annoying & pompous. I have often fussed about the variety of credit/debit card readers, “Can’t the government or the industry declare one style standard, so we don’t have such a learning challenge at every store!” 

Now I have seen the meaning associated with websites. Conventional. Yes, familiarity is reassuring. Some designers seem to feel that they are not going to be considered needed or necessary if they aren’t wildly inventive, thus slipping away from logic. Ease is essential in grasping the format to tell you at a glance where each necessary element is & what it should do or take you to. It is very interesting that there is an insistence on the distinct layout with ease to recognize what is a link & what is not. [As an artist, I detest the gleaming links that change color when used – they distract from the artwork.] But, it is understandable to have a little dimension to the appearance – a little optical illusion perhaps. Placement of arrows can make it or break it. Love the term, “visual noise.”  Making the decision of what to click should not be a challenge. Simple clarity, which also holds true in needless words. Personally, I enjoy SHORT paragraphs on the index page, at least in art. It is somewhat of a welcoming dedication, but not for the hardware or office supply stores. LOVED his editing of the instructions! Short, quick & to the point.

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