According to the Gestalt Theory, compositions are viewed as a whole, not as individual pieces. However, it takes an understanding and implementation of all the right individual pieces parts, to compose an effective design. If one is out of place, both the clarity and usability can suffer.
This week we took a look at effective and ineffective designs, in respect to design principles, placing our primary focus on the grid.
“The grid offers a rationale and a starting point for each composition, converting a blank area into a structured field, ” according to Design Principles, Composition and Layout by KSU UXD (11).
The structure of the grid is comprised of hierarchy, balance (symmetrical or asymmetrical), rhythms, scale, figure/ground relationships, margins and so forth. All of these elements are used to organize the information on the page, the content. With all of these individual elements implemented correctly it is likely you will have an effective design; however, is it a functional design?
It is important to not lose sight of the content when creating an effective design, so that it can remain both functional and useable. I noticed a common theme this week in the design examples, the majority were visually pleasing and met the design principles for an effective layout, however, some while stunning were not functional. Looks are not everything.
Yes, there is “the importance of the figure/ground relationships to the usability and visual balance of a composition, and the role of framing in emphasizing or de-emphasizing content and elements,” however, buttons that are built on a grid, with proper contrast can still fail a user (KSU UXD, 13). Sure they look pretty and have the proper margins, scale and balance, but if these buttons do not contain alternative text, cueing a visitor with a screen reader where it will go, the design means nothing.
While this was not the key focus of this week’s lesson, it resonated with me. Looks aren’t always what they seem. A site can appear to be effective, when meeting the design principles, but it is very important not to lose sight of how the user will successfully accomplish the key task at hand, and who it is designed for.
These pieces parts, in addition to all of the design elements, make for an effective design. Otherwise, you are left with something very pretty to look at, but just like artwork in a museum, you should look and not touch.