Building

Page Design Issues

University Identity

Applying consistent identity elements to official Cal Poly Web pages

Colors

When designing a page for Cal Poly, it is essential that the university colors are used properly.

Links

Guidelines that will help you develop effective links.

ADA Web Accessibility

Accommodating all Web users of differing physical and mental abilities.

Graphics

The importance of ALT text, Web image optimization, and resource workshops.

Fonts

Information on how to make fonts on your Web site easily readable, highly contrasted, and how to make font control easier through the use of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).

CSS

Tons of Web resources on Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) from some of the most knowledgeable CSS Web authors.

Page Length/Size

Relationship between page length and screen height/content size, and some "rules of thumb" for determining page length.

Fluid versus Fixed Width Page Layout

Designing sites that will fit and read easily on differing monitor sizes, and creating Print Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for printing Web pages that are displayed as shown on screen or as pure content.

White Space

Although you may want to fill up every section of your site with content, sometimes it is better to make use of white space so readers of your Web site have some breathing room when scanning through the content.

Writing for the Web

Writing for the Web presents significant differences from traditional media and there are specific user characteristics you must consider.

Javascript and ADA

Why Javascript menus are not easily Web accessible, and how to fix this.

PDF

The advantages of using PDFs for viewing documents across the Web, and some helpful tips for using PDFs.

Frames

Frames allow you to display multiple HTML documents on a single screen, but Cal Poly recommends limiting the use of frames due to some problems.

Forms

Creating and designing effective forms that are Web accessible.

Search Engine Optimization

Make your Web sites more freindly to search engines and easier for users to find

Meta Tags

Why Meta tags and Title tags are crucial in helping make your site easily searchable by search engines and Web users.

Flash

Guidelines that will help ensure effective and usable Flash designs for the Cal Poly audience.

Audio/Video

Tips on effectively implementing audio/video on your Web site.

Streaming Media

Information on the two, main ways for streaming media (adding videos) on the Web.