Laboratory 3

CSS Research

1. Look at the following resources on CSS. Document three aspects of CSS which have not been covered in class.
1. http://www.w3c.org/Style/CSS
2. http://www.w3schools.com/css
3. http://www.davesite.com/webstation/css

Floating Divs

div. {float: right;}

Using One Selector to overrule al others

 e.g

*{
border: 6px solid black
}

Using Multiple Selectors  e.g 
<div>
     <div>
       <p>hello<p>

1. What is the meaning of a metaphor? Give three examples of how they are used in websites/devices.

On the web, images and icons are used to symbolize different things. When visiting a website you are able to quickly scan it using imagery that helps speed up the process of finding a particular pathway. Things can be interpreted much faster when we see familiar styling or imagery. For example, an error is recognizable through an exclamation mark, or the back button is recognizable using an arrow, likewise on social media sites a thumbs up icon allows you to say you like something. Metaphors exploit specific knowledge we all already possess from other domains as a means of speeding up the cognition process when we use an interface. 

2.      From reading the many articles that I have tweeted in “Flat UI Design”, answer the following (use references where required:

1.     What is skeuomorphism? How does it relate to UI design?

Computers interfaces use skeumorphic design to allow the interface to resemble objects as they appear in the real world. For instance on many music programmes the interface uses knobs, buttons and switches that are similar to physical audio equipment

2.     What are the advantages to flat UI design?

UI design is becoming more fashionable nowadays. Whilst many would see the trend as having something to with looking slicker design it has much to with the proliferation of Mobile applications. Necessity is the mother of all invention and in this case UI design is just more suited to mobile devices, which is where the future of User Interface seems to be heading.

3.     What are the disadvantages to flat UI design?

It ‘s easier for users to adapt from using real world equipment they are familiar with to using its digital emulation, in this regard UI design can be confusing when compared with Skeumorphic designs. When comparing UI design with Skeumorphic design it must be noted that many of us are stuck in our ways and find it hard to unlearn the processes we develop in the real world and UI design can be difficult at first to come to terms with.