Simplicity/Enrichment Questionnaire

Resondent # : _________
Date: ________________
Time: ________________

Simplicity: An approach to Web design. Simple sites strive for maximum efficiency and fast access to information. They generally rely on concise, straightforward indices of information, with little to no use of graphics or other media. Taken to extreme, they ignore aesthetic factors in favor of maximizing task performance.

Enrichment: An approach to Web design. Enriched sites employ metaphor and visual themes to create a Web “experience.” They may include significant use of multimedia and animations, sometimes testing the limits of the most contemporary Web browsers. They place a strong emphasis on aesthetic and experiential goals. Taken to extreme, they ignore efficiency in favor of aesthetic goals.

These factors exist as opposite ends on a continuum. As sites become more simple, they will be less enriched. As sites become more enriched, they will be less simple.Please consider the following continuum:

1. Please choose a number, one to five, that expresses your opinion of the proper approach to the design of the Web site.

Answer: _____________

2. Why did you make this choice? Please write your answer in the space below. (Please use the back of this questionnaire if you need additional space.)

Know Your Audience

Web designers must have a thorough knowledge of their audience. This is a critical part of a standard site analysis, which should include analysis of the site’s purpose, audience, information needed, and activities to be performed. A solid approach includes these general steps:

• Determine the goals and success criteria for your web site
• Determine your audience and how they will use the web site
• Determine and organize information topics
• Analyze constraints and plan for their resolution

Modify the goals, success criteria, and information, based upon constraints. When designing accessible webs, constraints typically include accessibility procedures advocated by Section 508, WAI, etc.

Source: Lyons, Charles J. Essential Design for Web Professionals (2001)