Print Designing versus Online Designing.

Image courtesy of Balakov.

The transition from page design for print media to page design for the web would be easy considering both are based on grids and tables. But there are still some lessons to be learned from eye-tracking studies that gauge how internet users read the sites they visit. Schriver (1997) agreed that different individuals approach documents differently.

Document designers must examine how individuals interpret visual and verbal language. It is vital to consider the individual differences and mutual ways people interpret documents, so that optimum understanding is accomplished.

The analysis challenges what many of us consider standard practices in online news. The following is a summation of the relevant portions of the aforementioned link and applies not only to online news sites, but web publishing in general.

Contrary to what a large number of us have been told, a web page's text attracts attention before its graphics, according to the analysis. Most users visit a site looking for information rather than images and as such, the most important parts of the text should be featured prominently.

A good percentage of internet users have short attention spans that should be catered to to provide the best information faster. That means breaking up that 50,000-word, in-depth, special report into small paragraphs across several pages. Adding subheads and bullet points will also break up the monotony of scrolling through endless blocks of text. Parker (2003) Since Online publication has links and larger canvas to play with. The information can be scattered in different pages. For example, the first page would have only the important information, you can later click on a link for more relating stories.

These differences in basic design also changes the way articles, stories are written on print or online. Kress andVan Leeuwan (1998) stated that nnformation on print such as newspaper and magazine has to be given in full. The readers must have all the information on the limited space the canvas given.

Parker (2003) Since Online publication has links and larger canvas to play with. The information can be scattered in different pages. For example, the first page would have only the important information, u can later press on a link for more information or relating stories.
Reference:

10, 000 words.net 2008, Why Print Design and online Design are not the same, [online,accessed 6 November 2008]
URL: http://www.10000words.net/2008/04/page-design-print-vs-online.html

Kress, G & van Leeuwen, T 1998, Approaches to media discourse, Blackwell, Oxford

Parker, C. 2003, Looking Good in Print, 5th edition, Paraglyph Press, Scottsdale

Reep, DC, 2006, ‘Document Design’, Technical Writing, Pearson-Longman, New York, pp. 133-172.

Schriver, KA, 1997, ‘The Interplay of Words and Pictures’, Dynamics in Document Design: creating texts for readers, Wiley Computer Pub., New York, pp. 361-441.