| art; design |
Simple vs. Complex Design
by: Aino Minako
Lately, one of the internet trends that I've noticed is the use of complex layouts that use a lot of graphics. Most of these layouts are well designed, too. Some sites that use simpler layouts are frowned on because they are too plain. Pop quiz: What's the most important part of a website? Answer: Content. Not design. The layout of a website should lend itself to easy access to the content. Complex layouts may look very nice, but what's the use if I can't navigate the content of the site? Example: A personal site has links to the webperson's personal info, art, and writing. If the links to those sections are designated by three stars that blend into the pretty layout, how am I supposed to figure out that those stars are links and which star goes with which section? This is a made-up example, but you would be surprised at the number of sites that come close to it. That's the beauty of a simple design. It's easy to tell how to navigate the site. Also, a simple layout will take less time to load than a complex one, which is another perk. Complex layouts can be works of art, but the designer needs to remember that the most important element of a website is the content.