Web and design usability and accessibility resources

There are few web and multimedia designers out there that have not come across issues of usability in their projects. It is certainly a key area where traditional graphic designers and web developers first realised that one profession needed the other.

But usability for one person, does not signify usability for another. Accessible graphic design is, in many cases, becoming an industry standard, rather than an option. Certainly with regards to web design, many countries now have laws that are intended to address the issues involved with blind and partially sighted people having access the web. This has also been seen to some degree in architechture, where a building of a certain size are required to provide disabled access. The following design resources have been chosen for their usefulness in both usablity and accesability design.

Have trouble opening doors? This book could help

The Design of Everyday Things


This book should be read by anyone with any aspirations to being a designer of any sort. But is is also a great read for those of us that sometimes blame ourselves for not being able to understand how to use a certain piece of techniology (in the authors case, this includes opening doors). Humorously written, but with a serious point, the author take us through a serious of design examples and describes what works and what doesn't. Although it concentrates mainly on product design, the principles will be of use to designers of all disciplines. The only downside is that, ironically, the book is very badly designed. The photos are dark, the typography is amateurish and the layout is messy. Perhaps another example of the gap between usability professionals and designers.

Accessible design for print and web

Royal National Institute of the Blind


Few organisations have pioneered accessible design as much as the British Royal National Institute of the Blind. Royal National Institute of the Blind. As well as an extensive web site devoted to accessible web design resources, they have also produced guidelines for creating accessible graphic design for print. The site has legal advice (UK based), free accessible design resources, as well as a paid consultancy service.

useit.com: usable information technology

useit.com


No usability resource is complete without mentioning Jakob Nielsen. Jakob Nielsen's web site has probably provoked more controversy and argument about design and usability issues than any others. He certainly deserves a lot of credit for having put web usability on the design map, but recently there are many that have criticised his views for not having changed along with the rest of the internet. Indeed some even claim his outlook to be 'anti-design'. But useit.com is certainly a starting point and maybe more. An interesting online discussion with Jakob Nielsen was held at The Guardian's online talk forums recently and it is well worth dropping in for a read.

Online branding and website usability

Branding and web usability

Branding has rapidly become the mainstay of designers and agencies worldwide. Yet many traditional creatives have neglected to take on board the differences inherent in promoting brands online. This article takes the view that web site usability is ia as important as the usual signifiers of graphic design, in enhancing a client's brand online. Worth a read.

Usability for web sites, software and everything else for that matter

Ask Tog


Bruce Tognazzini is a legend in the world of usability (yes, the usability industry does have legends. No really). In-depth, well written and ocassionally humorous, this site is a must for anyone serious about interface design of any sort. During his 14 years at Apple Computer, Bruce Tognazzini founded the Apple Human Interface Group and acted as Apple's Human Interface Evangelist. So, if you thought the Mac was good, you could do worse than have a look at this site. His critques of Apple's newest operating system (OS X) - such as this one - are well worth a read. Although an associate of Jakob Nielsen, many consider Tog to be the more useful resource.