Design

The EMU web site templates are established to help you set up official EMU sites according to the principles listed here. If you wish to use the templates with modifications, or to develop a customized site according to the template concepts, you must contact Integrated Content before doing so.

  • Understand that the purpose of web design is to enhance and support the user experience. A site's design should not create distractions or confusion; it should emphasize the site's navigation and primary elements.
  • Perhaps the most important element of user-centered design is consistency. In general, keep your navigation consistent; let the user know what to expect and where to find it. Use intuitive navigation so users do not have to spend time figuring out how to use your site.
  • Do not use repeating background images. In most cases, these repeating images add nothing to the design, and are distracting and unappealing. They frequently cause problems with readability, which is an essential component of usability.
  • Use background colors selectively and sparingly. Avoid using background colors behind large amounts of text.
  • Use professional, legal graphics and images, and keep your image file sizes small, so the images will load quickly. This is particularly important for web pages with numerous images.
  • Avoid using auto-loading sound files, unless there is a compelling reason to do so (as in a multimedia presentation, where the sound is part of the information content). Do not use looping audio files--the kind that continually play in the background as the user views the site.