Good Design Practices From 25 Research Themed Websites

GOOD DESIGNPRACTICES FROM 25RESEARCH THEMEDWEBSITES
November 2009

Here we cover 25 research websites and dissect some good design practices from them.Disclaimer: We are not promoting our own work, rather have picked 25 example websites which we are not affiliated with.

General remarks from all sites
Good use of white background resulting in easier content readability
Well designed and positioned logos communicating visual identity well
Effective use of images to support the message of the websites

General remarks from all sites
Sponsor and partner logos are clearly visible
Very good use of colour contrast making the consumption of content easier on the eye

GOOD USE OF LARGE IMAGERY ON HOMEPAGE TO CONVEY MEANINGhttp://www.spatialeconomics.ac.uk http://www.eyemovementresearch.comhttp://cep.lse.ac.uk

USING DIAGRAMS TO EFFECTIVELY EXPLAIN THE RESEARCH PROJECThttp://www.e-mep.orghttp://www.euindiagrid.eu

MATCHING HEADER GRAPHICS WITH THE NATURE OF THE RESEARCH http://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/microsites/oess http://www.1000genomes.org http://www.enfin.org http://www.geography.dur.ac.uk/projects/science

STRIKING COLOURS ADDING VISUAL APPEALhttp://www.innovationstudies.orghttp://www.aimresearch.org http://www.ifs.org.uk/centres/ESRC

PROMINENT NAVIGATION WITH QUICK ACCESS TO INFORMATION http://www.eurostars-eureka.eu http://www.ncrm.ac.uk/research/about

UNCLUTTERED DESIGNS, LETTING THE CONTENT BREATHEhttp://www.riben.org.ukhttp://www.felics.orghttp://www.velox-project.euhttp://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/pssru

USE OF SMALL ‘SNIPPETS’ OF TEXT TO INFORM AND NOT OVERWHELM http://www.coextra.euhttp://www.iclei-europe.orghttp://newdynamics.group.shef.ac.uk/projects/22

INTEGRATING GOOD CALLS TO ACTIONhttp://www.eatg.orghttp://www.increast.euhttp://www.elixir-europe.org

USING VIDEO TO INFORM http://engage.ac.uk

Final takeaways: Make the message clear
Have a prominent logo
Match colours with the research theme
Write short paragraphs and/or use video to introduce the research topic

Final takeaways: Make consumption of info easier
Break content up with images, icons
Use good colour contrast
Make it interactive (wikis, forums etc.)
Do not provide access to every single page from the home page, uncluttered is better

Final takeaways: Guide users of the website
Display temporal info: events, news,
research results, calls for proposals
Include effective calls to action with prominent graphics (where do you want visitors to go?)
Provide snippets of info and lead the user to read more

THANK YOU FOR READING
Authors:
Henrik Kahra &
Muntazir Panjwani
Showtime Studios LLP
Design Agency
Please leave any comments and suggestions.

More web design and communication tips for academics and researchers, please visit:
http://researchers.showtimestudios.co.uk

Image & content credits:http://www.aimresearch.orghttp://engage.ac.ukhttp://www.velox-project.euhttp://www.innovationstudies.orghttp://www.riben.org.ukhttp://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/microsites/oesshttp://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/pssruhttp://newdynamics.group.shef.ac.uk/projects/22http://www.euindiagrid.euhttp://www.eyemovementresearch.comhttp://www.increast.euhttp://www.eurostars-eureka.eu
Content of these slides are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License

Image & content credits:http://cep.lse.ac.ukhttp://www.1000genomes.orghttp://www.geography.dur.ac.uk/projects/sciencehttp://www.elixir-europe.orghttp://www.coextra.euhttp://www.iclei-europe.org http://www.e-mep.orghttp://www.ncrm.ac.uk/research/abouthttp://www.spatialeconomics.ac.ukhttp://www.enfin.orghttp://www.eatg.orghttp://www.felics.orghttp://www.ifs.org.uk/centres/ESRC
Content of these slides are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License