Building a design spectrum is a method of visualizing the overall aesthetic and functional elements in a web design. It is important to use a gauge when measuring these properties to maximize the web site and ensure a balance is achieved between form and purpose. In web design, there are usually three spectrums that you can employ to measure if you are creating the right end result based on your objective. Spectrum one is to design the website to influence its users to generate a certain impulse, emotion or finish an objective. Spectrum two is used when your web design is focused on maximizing assistive tools to help the user complete the task generated by the design. The third spectrum is utilized when a product has functional and an aesthetic agenda, which require the web design to be attractive yet of good use.
A purely aesthetic approach would put your plans in spectrum one, where the design’s significant objective is to create sensory fulfillment, visual properties as well as color and stimulation are most important. Generating tools and creating portals or registration pages belong to spectrum two, where physical and behavioral stimulus is reinforced. In this spectrum, aesthetics are not important. Ergonomics and proportion is important in spectrum three; thus designs for projects like crafts, construction as well as objectives that mix visual and kinesthetic elements are best put in this category.
Usability against Aesthetic Value
This has always been a concurrent discussion in the design community, often referred to as “design versus usability” or a running argument that the elements of purpose completion is directly opposite to overall visual stimulus. One must need to consider that the overall design is influential; therefore an eye in aesthetic requirement is also important. It is practical to use one spectrum as compared to multiple design spectrums, it has often failed to deliver when a web design becomes a jack of all trades; trying to excel in both aspects.
A fundamental key to this is maintaining a balance between pleasing additions to a design and completing its functions. There are superior aesthetic sites that are functional and useful due to the developer’s diligent efforts to balance all elements in the layout, although this is not a concrete definition that all websites need to be on the aesthetic side.
When does your site need to be beautiful?
With websites whose primary objective is to promote product functionality helping the user achieve the completion of his task and fulfill the end goal of a specific objective is more important that creating an aesthetic feel to the project. In some cases, products that have a serious functional objective may be perceived as negative if drowned in high-end aesthetics and coloration. One must take into consideration that the more graphics embedded in a page, the slower it loads. This is often a disadvantage especially if high speed access to a specific site is detrimental.
The important thing to remember is to figure out the site’s ultimate objective. This will increase the chances for success and objectify the purpose of the product which will save you a huge amount of time avoiding redesigns. Placing specific markers at the start, middle and final review of the design to see if you are following your design spectrum will make sure that the objectives are met and you have a perfect balance between use and form.
