Email Design Practice -

Everyone must have came across a lot of email templates. Anyone who is familiar with HTML, XHTML and CSS. Ofcourse, designing a web template is more like designing web pages but a little trick should be applied.

Anyone familiar with XHTML needs to go back and start using HTML (old schooled). It is more like going back to the older version of HTML where designers and developers used a lot of TABLE. Whereas, XHTML uses positioning unlike : float, which might be a wrong idea for email template designs.

Although, the email template uses a lot of TABLE there is a risk of nesting which can create an issue with different browsers. Never mind !! be prepared to do lots and lots of cross browser testing. Anything that appears good might turn out be a big disaster in other browsers.

What a pain huh?? Don't worry it is not just you, even the web developers who has a practice of many years in web development can go wrong with the web template design. Be prepared to make a lot of mistake and learn. Grabbing a cup of tea or coffee might be a good idea.

Therefore, simplicity is the key issue. Keep the design to minimal and simple that reflects the content. Remember!! content is the king.

For more help go and visit: http://net.tutsplus.com/tutorials/html-css-techniques/20-email-design-best-practices-and-resources-for-beginners/

HCI - Human Centred Interface design -USABILITY & CHUNKING

Hmm.... It is interesting how HCI has shaken the design industries with certain obligations on what and how to perform the task by researching on how their users will perceive the design in world context usability.

Miller's argument towards chunking 7+_ rules for navigation was completely stuck inside my head. Somehow, it's hard to believe interpreanure internet companies like YAHOO and GOOLE has so many links. Does this mean Miller's argument was wrong ? or they are not doing their homework properly.

Thanks to my lecturer, who brought a guy from NU Creative the other day and where he mentioned according to his experience he is not applying those rules. He was in a same state of mind while he was a student.

It does not mean Millers argument on chunking was wrong. I believe he was right on a time when he wrote those books. At this stage 85% of the users these days are comfortable with the technology. Therefore, it does not really matter if there are many links or navigation in the website. What matters is the targeted audience. If the targeted audience are elderly people who has minimal experience of web and internet.

Therefore, careful considerations of chunking should be taken care on whom your product will be widely used by.