Texture In Web Design

Smashing Magazine recently released an article discussing the use of texture in web design here. In class we were asked to answer a series of questions regarding the article. 

Why have the benefits of texture sometimes been overlooked?

Texture, in the past, was often over used and used in inappropriate ways. This has “tainted” the use of texture in design today. Many designers feel that texture is not a necessary asset. While it is not always necessary, it can tie a website together and highlight the main focus points in a tasteful way.

What is the usual difference between a texture and a pattern?

A pattern is often a small repeatable element that will tile. A texture is usually much bigger and don’t typically repeat.

What are 2 ways to focus people’s attention using texture?

Texture have the power to highlight certain elements of a site. If a grunge texture is placed against a clean background, the grunge texture will stand out and draw people’s eye. In retrospect, if a clean element is placed on top of a texture, the clean element will draw focus.

How can texture enhance the structure of your information?

Texture enables designers to offset a crucial aspect of a site, or enhance the way information is presented. Specifically, texture can enhance the structure of information. Texture can guide the eye through contrast and imagining lines. This can make content easier to read, find and remember.

How does texture enhance the identity or atmosphere of a site?

Texture can become a trademark to a brand and “...put a face to the service…”. This creates a recognizable brand that has personality and taste.

Describe in your own words what is meant by the following tips:

1. Maintain Legibility - make sure content is still prevalent
2. Don’t Beat a Dead Horse - Don’t overuse texture so that it’s distracting
3. Practice Means Improvement - Experiment with different textures and take risks
4. If It Serves No Purpose, Take it Out - Make sure the texture serves a justifiable purpose. It should not just “be there”.
5. Consider the Effect You Are Trying to Achieve - Think about what vibe the texture brings to the table
6. Collect Resources so you Don’t Have to Search Later - Keep an array of resources for future reference
7. Learn Masks - Experiment and learn the software
8. Don’t Sacrifice Quality for Loading Time - A quality texture dominates slow loading time
9. Choose Textures Logically - Use textures that are relevant to the kind of site being built

What are 3 different ways you can come up with your own texture images?

To come up with texture images from scratch you can use your own photos, scan different materials or experiment in photoshop.

Sites that use texture effectively:

- KEZ

- Creative Arts Initiative

- Amazee Labs

- Peter Granfors

Social Media Can Effect Your Future

     The New York Times recently released an article written by Natasha Singer. This article discusses the involvement of a students online image in the college admissions process. The article provides an anecdote of  a young girl who applied to a college in Maine was rejected because she posted derogatory comments about her fellow students on Twitter. This girl is surely not the first to do this, but her story caught the public eye and created much controversy. Now students are left to recall anything they have posted online that could threaten their future.

     My online presence could be somewhat notable through my number of accounts, but not enough to effect me in a significant way. I have a Facebook, Youtube, Tumblr, 8tracks, Twitter, Instagram, and Blogger account, but not much else. None of what I post on any of these sites promotes a negative image for myself. I don't post much on Facebook or Instagram and my Twitter account remains dormant. If anything the most questionable aspect of any of my accounts would be my music taste on 8tracks.    

     I think it is incredibly fair for future employers and schools to research an applicants online presence.  If the student posts something questionable online, it is entirely their own fault. Because of people's poor judgement regarding what is appropriate to post and what is not, schools have resorted to teaching these basic concepts to high school students. It is embarrassing that the disregard for inappropriate status updates, pictures, and @mentions has led to this. 

     What I find particularly perplexing is that all through middle school we were told that whatever we put online is permanent. We were lectured on the use of the "delete button" and how in a few seconds hundreds of people have already seen what we so desperately wanted to delete. Six some years ago it was vital that kids understand a picture or status could be pulled from cyberspace even if they thought it was long gone. Now administrators are teaching kids to "cleanse" their online presence and "sanitize" their digital image. If everything is permanent, how is one supposed to make their digital presence immaculate?