Effects Can Affect Effectiveness [Yeah, I did that] | Web Design For The User

Effects Can Affect Effectiveness in Web Design.

The attributed role of effects in web design can vary depending on the various roles of those who interact with a website.

Designer.

The designer is that person who may, at times,  stretch the threshold of what is 'too much' in respect to effects.  There are various factors that can affect a designer's usage of effects which I will explain below:

• The young designer:  as a young designer, you find it very hard to separate your passion for design from the outside world (from the opinions of the outside world).  For those who take on the design profession, their work sometimes become extensions of themselves.  Designers can be very protective of their work.
• With that said, a young designer can often times become intoxicated with the visual appeal of effects without considering the functional applications of the effects
• Mix this predisposition with a healthy portion of adolescent, closed-mindedness and you might have some trouble on your hands (as a client).
  
  
• The experienced designer:  the experienced designer has seen the aches and pains of being self-absorbed (varying levels of course) and is now much more open to change
• they understand that the 'client is always right' (even when it rubs you wrong)
• within their broader business scope, they understand that a website needs to do more than look good.
• It needs to be tailored to its users
• a strong website design needs to serve a strong purpose
• my advice to any young designer is to incorporate a healthy dose of a 'less is more' paradigm into their strategies
  
  
• The student:  similar and overlapping with the young designer, the student encases the category for the designers who would use excessive effects the most
• this is a natural and needed occurrence as learning requires experimentation
• for the most part, excessive use of effects at this stage does project any harmful impacts as much of what a student develops will be practice-based and for non-official purposes

The User.

The user is generally defined as the individual who views/ interacts with the website (the individual that the website is intended for).  When we build a website, we should be considering the audience that will be searching for it, and, what they want to find when they get there.  Here are some types of users:

• The general user:  this user needs information, services or products (or all three).
• they are not concerned with how long it took to develop the website
• they are not concerned with why you made spelling mistakes while having an extremely busy day
• they Only want the website to be functional, accurate and appealing
• it needs to serve a purpose for them
• it needs to serve them quickly
• navigational directions need to be clear
• Oh, and the effects affect them
• too many effects can distract from the message(s)
• opposingly, too little effects may contrast with a particular industry (recreational sports, example) that has a high-level energy expectation
  
  
• The business owner:  the business owner will be concerned about everything that the general user is concerned about, but concerned about more (and to a higher degree)
• the biggest priority for a business owner is making sure their business runs smoothly and when they ask you (the designer) questions, you need to have the right answers
• Business certainties
• business will not wait (design strategies need to maintain pace)
• business is complex (strategies need to be tailored)
• but consider strategies with success in other industries
• communication channels need to be clear with the business owner(s)
• miscommunication can (and will) cost time and money
• Don't tell a business owner how to run their business
• rather, suggest design/marketing strategies that will compliment their business
• Effects affect on the business owner
• some owners will want the designer to completely control the direction of the website
• this is great for creative freedom
• though, owners should understand 'why' a design is effective
• now effects are not on the priority list for the owners of a website (generally), but if they suggest a broad idea, the designer should then be able to expand on it
• if the design will be an extensive creation, it is suggested to have a clear idea what the owner wants to see (when possible)

Functions of Effects.

Effects placed on a website can serve many different purposes.  Some of these include:

• To draw attention - one of the most common purposes of an effect is to draw attention to a particular area such as "sign up now" or "contact us today"
• should be subtle (generally) to not distract from actual message
• To entertain - one of the most awesome attributes of effects is to entertain
• for some users, the draw of exciting and cool effects might represent 'trust' for them
• this could be considered an online FAE (Fatal Attribute Error) in some cases
• in psychology, this refers to an individual placing false/extensive value in something for unsubstantial reasons (or without merit)
• common in adolescent behavior
• To be clever - in my opinion, for an effect this is the 'cream of the crop'.  If you can create effects that are appealing yet represent a concept that is clever, it will appeal to the masses
• a clever effect shows that a higher level of thinking and reasoning went into its development
• it has the dual "effect" of highlighting both the website and the designer/agency

Effective Immediately, this post is over.

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