Text can only get the users so far, and if audiences do not understand the language ( a definite possibility on the global Web), the graphical information and the way it integrates into textual information may be the key to making the message understood.
Graphic Visual Form
Graphics on the Internet include photographic images, animations, quicktime movie, video clips, navigation icons, interface designs, image background, font and color.
Design and Consideration
Armed with some knowledge of how and why images are so inportant to the popularity and success of the site is one thing. However, knowing how to make it work is another.
Today, Internet is not just about information and privacy but also about getting down to business. Users get charged for every single bites of information they access. Money matters are a serious business on the Internet. Before laying down burden on users, authors and Web designers ought to know the reality that people have to pay for accessing their information. Users should never pay for unwanted and inappropriate graphic visual elements on the Web site. In fact, they always do.
The main consideration before creating a graphical document for WWW is understanding about how 'Form' and 'Function' works.
Form and Function
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Form/ f:m
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particular shape, type or kind
the shape of something
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Function/ fnkn
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the purpose something or
someone
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-Collins. Student's Dectionary. London: Harper Collins Pubs, 1993
Terminology 'form' in this thesis means the physical way graphics are used on the Internet. Size of image, colour, kind of image used and visual presentation are still talk about form.
'Function'means how all graphic visual elements work and play their roles effectively with text in delivering information. Functional graphics on the Web site will determine if they are really needed on the site.
'Form' (graphic) will function in three ways on the Web site;
1. to illustrate the information
2. to make document easier to navigate
3. to organise the information with its aesthetic value
A. Aesthetic Value
Aesthetic values on the Internet are like design in other form of arts. They have their own standard of beauty.
On the Web site, aesthetic value is used to give a 'cool' appealing look that work collaborates with concept of the Web page design. It also can give mood to the site overall. Aesthetic values can attract people's attention and bring positive impressions about the Web site.
B. Disfuctioning and Overdone!
How do images work on the Internet? Are they really needed on the document? This question is above actually good question for publisher and Web masters to think about and answer. Before considering any images or bringing other graphic elements into document, a little research in analysing such images should be accomplised. If proper research is done, disfunctioning images will no more annoy their users.
Overdone designs are sometimes does bad for the body of the Web site. Because in design, more is not always better; in fact, less is always more! Aesthetic values should be added in such a way, that they will support the document. However, when aesthetics focus on the manner of decoration rather than on the values, the images will seem to be of less importance.
