Web page design

[Fnaar]

I'm no expert in this particular field., but as a 'consumer', I'm often annoyed by the total waste of space on the Guardian webpages (see pic...I've blocked out my name and other personal details at top of screen) but this is basically what you get... what you want to read does not even make it onto the screen, cause of all the wasted space.

Any thoughts, ye designers?

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Those big title and subtitle areas are completely OTT. You've already chosen the content, but they are giving you ad banner sized headings.
Not good IMO.

 

[Bollo]

Guardian like a lot of other sites is now aiming more at mobile devices. To get a web page to work across the variations of screen size and user interaction from desktops to phones ('responsive' is the jargon) is a pain in the balls. There are also deeply technical reasons why web pages are not like, for example, word documents and stuff doesn't just stay where you put it.

I work on a very number-heavy systems for the wholesale energy markets and traditionally our web-based systems cover (at least) two monitors. We're now being expected to retain the same information density and ease of use on an iPhone.

 

[Bollo]

If Ms Goodbody would like to send me any tips on how to squeeze my front end into a tight space......

 

[Fnaar]

If Ms Goodbody would like to send me any tips on how to squeeze my front end into a tight space......

I'm sure she has some interesting tips

 

[vernon]

I'm sure she has some interesting tips

So have her clients.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I have a big beef with these responsive websites that I access via my laptop.

My preference is for websites to have pages. Proper pages that look sensibly structured and that I can easily navigate around.

I'm not keen on infinite scroll, arrows that whizz you left and right, zooming that you have no control of, endless pretty pictures with minimal text content and drill-downs that leave you floundering in some cul-de-sac where the only way out is via the back button.

No doubt I am off trend with these 'marvellous innovations' but I find them less than useful

 

[vernon]

Here's how the page looks on a mobile phone

Some inadvertent cropping has occurred. But like Bollo said, some compromises have to be made when using adaptive page designs.