Nov 25, 2007

I’m in the process of potentially redesigning this blog, and I came across an interesting study from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services about line length and reading. This report states that while a long line of text increases reading speeds, people tend to prefer shorter lines. To borrow from the conclusion of the study:

Conclusion

The best available research suggests that users will read fastest if the line lengths are longer (up to 10 inches). If the line lengths are too short (e.g., two and a half inch columns), the line length probably will impede rapid reading. Users tend to prefer lines that are relatively short (about four inches).

While the study doesn’t go any further, I feel like it leaves me with a sort of conundrum. People prefer the shorter lines, but things like pictures, YouTube videos, etc. are best done with a larger content area. Then, add to this the desire for a multi-column design for a pleasing segregation of similar content, things become even more problematic.

Also to be considered:

1. Older PC’s have smaller resolutions
2. Most newer monitors are wide screen (because they can get more screens per sheet of material, equaling a lower cost)
3. Most newer machines have higher resolutions
4. Some people prefer a fluid center (grows as they increase the browser size)
5. A static width site provides better overall design options for visual impact

What’s the magic formula for a pleasing design with a flexible layout for varied content and overall ease of use for the reader? Who knows! There seems to be no general consensus. If you search the net, layouts are all over the place. Content is king, but the king’s accommodations are widely varied.

Three column, content to the left is a newer take on things, but it just seems a bit weird to me - does anyone ever look all the way to the right? Most major news companies go with the standard three column design with centered content, but then they have a ton of information that clutters up the flow, much to the detriment of conveying information in my opinion. Oh well, they are free, right?

Leaving the old standbys for a second, we can venture into the world of more free form site design. These sites are more focused on overall visual design and can look pretty cool. Unfortunately, they tend to primarily have highly static content - get it to look good once, and then never touch it again - or they at least feature visual content like pictures over text.

If I take the lessons that I learned with this current theme (forever captured here for the sake of posterity), I realize that there are a few things that I’m looking for in a new theme. First, is a wider column on the right. That small column, while helpful in keeping the overall width down, really cramps my style. It won’t hold a standard 120 pixel width banner and the type has to be so darn small to get things to fit. Second, I would like a larger content space to accommodate larger photos, but the line length study makes me second guess this desire. At a current 4.5 inches, my site is already past the 3 - 3.5 inch range that readers seem to prefer. And, lastly, I think I would like something a bit more light and open. The current design is a bit blocky and has more of a closed feel. Ideally, I’d like to see that open up a bit with some sections flowing into the general background.

Can I take all of that stuff into consideration and come up with a new design that is worth changing to? Honestly I don’t know. When I look at the themes of people who are a lot more talented that I am in the fields of programming and design, I really don’t see anything that is particularly compelling. The one thing I do know is this: when and if I find the right structure, I am certainly not above ripping it off! All with due props, of course…

web design, ease of use, blogging, optimal line length