Navigation and Paper Prototyping

Navigation is perhaps the most important part of a website. Without it, the end user would not be able to find their way to the content they are looking for. Bad navigation is worse. It's frustrating and nothing will make a user click away from a website faster than poorly planned navigation.

We will discuss in class the different kinds of navigation used on websites. Yes, there are several! We will talk about what each type does and where it should be used in the site design. Since navigation is so important, wouldn't it make sense to test it out before implementing it on a fully functional website? Absolutely! That brings us to: paper prototyping!

Paper prototyping is an easy, inexpensive way to test the functionality of your site's design and navigation. Remember, we want the end user be able to navigate quickly and easily to the page or content they desire.

Creating a paper prototype of your web site design will give you a first glimpse into the mind of your end user. It may show holes in your navigation or content. It can help you decide if your page ID and/or headers are doing their job: making it clear to the user exactly where they are. A paper prototype can also tell you if you are missing content or functionality that the user wants or needs.

Have a read through the following links to better understand what paper prototyping is, and what kind of effect it can effect your design:

Streamlining the Design Process with Paper Prototyping

A Breakdown of Paper Prototyping: Elements

YouTube: An Example of Paper Prototyping

Paper prototyping will help you develop, among other things, your graphical user interface. You will see if people are having trouble navigating your site, and why. Graphical user interface, commonly called GUI, can make or break your site's functionality and aesthetic. Have a look at the GUIdebook: Graphical User Interface Gallery and see how user interfaces have progressed over the years. (Check out Microsoft Windows 1.01!!) That progression is based on user experience and usability testing, like paper prototyping!

HOMEWORK

• Start reading over chapter 4 of the web style guide online. It focuses on interface design.

• Study up, because there will be a quiz on this information on Wednesday!