Designing Print Vs. Designing Online

Deb (2008) mentioned in her article that print and web are not the same and will never be the same. Reep (2006, pp. 134-135) stated the purpose of design feature in print as guiding the readers through text; increasing interest in the document; creating a document that reflects the image desired. Lemke’s studies as mentioned (Walsh, M 2006, p. 110) demonstrated that there is a complex and ‘multiplicative effect’ in the way language and modes of image, text and sound are combined in websites and linked to layers of interconnections within and between sites. Both medium eventually bogs down to a single motive in their functions – to engage the readers in the intended information by means other than the content itself.

Many reports have discussed and concluded that the approach to designing prints cannot be applied to designing websites. Mainly because of the requirements as discussed by Deb Ng in her article Print Vs Web (Why The Two Will Never Be The Same). Even though the two teams working on the same content may not see eye to eye with each other on their design criteria, it is important to note that both are actually working together to compliment each other. While websites are able to incorporate videos, audio and endless hyperlinks to related materials, a great print design can capture the undivided attention of an audience. That’s why they call an internet surfer a surfer – he/she surfs from one site to another site and the attention span on a single article is comparative lesser to one who is going through a printed document.

Hyperlinks are distractive.

Rather than comparing the differences, making good use of the positive elements of each medium can facilitate a powerful presentation to attract readers, which is the ultimate motive of design.


Reference

Deb, N 2008, Print vs Web: Why the Two Will Never Be the Same (and why you shouldn’t expect them to be), Freelance Writing Jobs, viewed 20th March 2009
<http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/04/print-vs-web-why-the-two-will-never-be-the-same-and-why-you-shouldnt-expect-them-to-be/>

Reep, DC 2006, Technical writing: principles, strategies and reading, 6th edn, Pearlson/Longman, New York

Walsh, M 2006, ‘The "textual shift": examining the reading process with print, visual and multimodal texts’, Australian journal of language and literacy, vol. 29. No. 1

Wikipedia, 2009, Hyperlinks, viewed 20th March 2009
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperlink>