subject: Web 2.0 Design Attributes In A Nutshell [print this page] Web 2.0, a term coined sometime back in 2004, is creating the biggest buzz in the virtual space. It is associated with web applications that facilitate and enhance inter-operability, information sharing, user-centric designs etc on the World Wide Web, like social networking sites, video-sharing site, web based communities et al. Web 2.0 Design, as the name itself indicates, is design in sync with Web 2.0, Simplicity personified.
Web 2.0 designers generally;
Direct the visitors to well chosen visual elements with spotless clarity
Select the images that can give the desired effect without beating about the bush
Web 2.0 Design has become a great hit with website designers in recent years, owing to a lot of substantial, noteworthy and appealing features. Some significant features of web 2.0 design that makes it a cut above the rest are:
1)Simplicity:
Simplicity is the key to Web 2.0, as it brings clarity to the website instead of cluttering it with too many items.
It essays what it wants to say in a clean and clear term more effectively
It makes every page meaningful and resourceful, without complicating it
It grabs the very limited attention span of the users/visitors and assists them to notice what they want
It minimizes noise, yet enables maximum communication
2)Centralised Layout:
Centralized layout, where the items are placed centrally within the browser window, has become very popular with Web 2.0 designs.
It stands out prominently, bold and sharp.
It gives scope for spreading out the content on both sides of the page without scrolling
It takes up very less space, leaving a lot of white space around it enhancing the overall look and feel
3)Lesser Columns
In todays Web 2.0 sites, there are mostly 2- column sites (with 3- columns, the maximum) as against the 4 (and more) - columns sometime back. Its an extension, a sub-part, of a centralised layout, where one can communicate less information (in a single page) more clearly in a bold, honest and simple manner.
4)Bigger Text
With skyrocketing screen resolutions, Bigger Text is in. In fact with the optimum space made available due to less stuff, a bigger font is the most prospective way forward.
It stands out, enabling visitors to notice and grasp the information easily
It even helps the visually impaired, and people sitting a little away from the screen or looking at the screen in the sunlight
Its very effective from the SEO point of view
5)Bold Simple Logos
In Web 2.0 Design, simple yet bold logos are much preferred, as they give the first eye-catching impression of the company to the visitors. They convey the attitude and identity of the company with a lot of boldness and clarity, albeit, in a simple tone.
6) Simple Navigation
Site navigation is of prime importance to a website. A simple navigation with clean, large and bold text can help visitors to identify, target or choose what they want, with great ease.
It shows visitors the accurate and right direction they want to take
It gives visitors a clear idea of the choices, and the options available to them at any point(of their stay in the site)
It makes the site well-organized, consistent and easily identifiable and recognisable to the visitors
7) Gradients
Web 2.0 makes use of gradients in generous proportions, adding quality, richness and depth to an otherwise boring design, be it in the logos, texts or other layout elements.
It can create an illusion of distance (page backgrounds), as well as a non-flat surface
It helps in creating mood by fading a colour into either a lighter or a darker tone.
8)Strong Colours
In Web 2.0 design, strong colours are mostly used as they can attract and draw the eyes of the visitors easily.
It can differentiate and highlight areas of vital importance(or main interest)
Its a very effective channel to communicate brand values
9)Rich Surfaces
The use of 3D effects in Web 2.0 designs accentuates the qualitative feel of a website. Rich surfaces add dimensions of aesthetic and palpable realistic effects to the design, making it solid, real, alive and touchable.
10)Reflections
In Web 2.0 designs, Reflections play a significant role to augment and improve the overall design (in your scheme of things). Reflections with realistic effects like water droplets, shiny buttons and other enhancements reduce the opacity of the site, giving it an authentic touch.
11)Crystal & Cute Icons
In Web 2.0 design, icons that are cute, clear, simple, original and richly detailed play an inevitable part. Cute icons can give depth and add glitter to a mundane website. They are extremely productive in conveying simple messages that are easily recognisable. In a simple Web 2.0 design, with lots of space, rich and crystal icons can be very catchy and captivating.
In fact, Web 2.0 Design is the latest entrant, the new kid in the block in the realm of design. This new school of design lays great emphasis on website with simple, bold and elegant designs that can deliver more with less.
