It is scary that people still make the distinction between "design" and "usability/accessibility/fitness for purpose".
Design incorporates these things, and if it doesn't then it is indulgence, not design. Cheers, Andrew (working information architect) Andrew Boyd Consultant SMS Management & Technology M 0413 048 542 T +61 2 6279 7100 F +61 2 6279 7101 [EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> About SMS: Ground Floor, 8 Brindabella Circuit, CANBERRA AIRPORT ACT 2609 www.smsmt.com<https://magellan.smsmt.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.smsmt.com/> SMS Management & Technology (SMS) [ASX:SMX] is Australia's largest, publicly listed Management Services company. We solve complex problems and transform business through Consulting, People and Technology ________________________________ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of minim Sent: Wednesday, 15 August 2007 7:38 AM To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org Subject: Re: [WSG] Usability & Accessibility Over Design? Hi James, On 14 Aug 2007, at 13:43, James Jeffery wrote: Web Standards, Accessibility and Usability needs to be put right at the top of the list, way before design. Focus on the users and the people, and it will help to create and bring the internet up to a better standard. I agree wholeheartedly with this. The point of design (as opposed to art) is that it is a functional artform. If it doesn't do the job it's enlisted to do (generally, to encourage people to use the site to whatever end by making it possible and enjoyable for them to do so), then it's a poor design and should therefore be changed. I'm not saying there isn't a place for good-looking websites - on the contrary - just that a good design is one which both achieves its purpose (usability/accessibility = increased visitors/sales/happiness/whatever) AND looks good while doing it. It's possible, but many designers need to be a little more informed and a little more flexible. It doesn't matter how good pale grey text on a white background looks if no-one can read what it says. Stick it on the wall of an art gallery though and I'll cheer :-) Just some thoughts... C. Caitlin Rowley, B. Mus. (Hons), Gr. Dip. Design Composer, musicologist, web designer http://www.minim-media.com/listen/ ******************************************************************* List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ******************************************************************* ________________________________ This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you received this message in error or are not the intended recipient, you should destroy the e-mail message and any attachments or copies, and you are prohibited from retaining, distributing, disclosing or using any information contained herein. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Company. The recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The Company accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email. Thank you for your cooperation. ******************************************************************* List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *******************************************************************
