SERVICES : WEB DESIGN : GRAPHICS : The Basics Even the simplest web page needs certain elements for it to be user-friendly. The following examples show how the addition of a few well-chosen images can also give your pages individuality and identity while retaining complete functionality & ease of use. BACKGROUNDS are an important design element, and a quick & easy way to change the complete look of a page. They can be used to set a mood or theme, but care must be taken that they don't interfere with the viewing of a page: they should be used as an enhancement, not competition to the content. Plain Backgrounds The most widely used & easily changed of all backgrounds, text is easy to read (providing a contrasting colour is used!) and there are no browser compatibility/tiling problems here. Click here to see this background tiled. Textured Backgrounds Another useful background which adds a little bit of interest to a page while still allowing the content to be the main feature. Click here to see this background tiled. Patterned Backgrounds Come in an infinate variety of designs, some subtle like these stripes and others in large, bright designs. Care should be taken when using a patterned background to ensure that the page content is still clearly visible. They look especially good when used as a border to a plainer background which holds the content. Having said that, they can give a page an individual look and are also great for use as desktop wallpapers. Click here to see the striped background tiled. Click here to see the flowered background tiled.   BUTTONS come in an almost unlimited amount of sizes & styles. A javascript behaviour can be added to images to create a ROLLOVER or MOUSEOVER effect, which results in the image/text chancing when the mouse is placed over it.   This traditional-style button has been given a simple rollover effect.   This is a more decorative button with no effect attached.   Plain buttons like this are useful as they can be used in a variety of ways. They can be stacked vertically or horizontally for a variety of menu-effects.   Three simple rollover buttons stacked vertically to create a menu-effect.   BULLETS can be used to give definition to a particular piece of text and are often used to punctuate lists. Used in multiples they can give the effect of bars or page dividers.   List Item 1 List item 2 List item 3   BARS (or PAGE DIVIDERS) are horizontal line images, used to separate content (usually text)           NAVMAPS (or NAVBARS) & GUESTMAPS are mini-menus, often used near the bottom of a page to help visitors find other relevant pages quickly.       Back       Graphics & Design Copyright ©Groovy Lizard™ Ltd. 2002. All Rights Reserved.