Design Theory Site Design Page Design Multimedia & Web Page Design Principles: Consistency MultiMedia Teacher Resources Table of Contents Home Page Copyright © 1999 by Bonnie Skaalid

Keep the layout of pages consistent - inconsistencies force people to spend extra time trying to figure out how to navigate, or where to find the answers to questions they have - it increases cognitive overhead [1]. Schwier and Misanchuk [2] suggest that you should strive for consistency in: style of presentation from one section of the sequence to another (don't use formal language in one place and slang in another - your whole site should sound as if the same person wrote it) placement of items such as orientation information, navigation devices, user input, feedback, or operating instructions use of color (including "grays" in black and white) access structures such as headings use of cues (font, including size and style; bolding, italics, and color) style of graphics terminology (directions, prompts, menus, and help screens) names of commands and manner of evoking them interaction behavior required in similar situations (don't require a learner to click on a button one time and to type a character another time, if the situations are highly similar). (page 214) Grouping objects with similar functions together in one spot can make a page feel more consistent. For example, this page and every page in the site has its navigation options located in a similar location - off to the side and below the text at the bottom. You know where to find the navigation options on every page and this fosters consistency. Similarity in shape, style and color can also foster consistency. The sidebar and bottom navigation boxes use the same color to tie the navigation elements together. [1]Norman, D. (1988) The design of everyday things. New York, NY: Doubleday. [2] Schwier, R., & Misanchuk, E. (1993) Interactive multimedia instruction . Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Educational Technology Publications, Inc.   MM & Web Page Design Principles: [Simplicity] [Consistency] [Clarity] [Balance] [Harmony & Unity] Page Design:[Multimedia & Web Page Design Principles] [Screen Design Research] [Screen Resolution & Size] [Writing Style] Main Level: [Home Page] [Design Theory][Site Design] [Page Design] [MultiMedia] [Teacher Resources] [Table of Contents]