Designing a Web Site, it

¶ … designing a Web site, it is important to keep in mind its purpose. The LA Times Web site appears to have accomplished this. The wealth of information on the web site is well-suited to the purpose of the site: to provide the reader with as much information in as little space as possible. Hence the majority of the text is provided in a very small font size.

The largest and most colorful font is reserved for advertising. This suggests not only the importance of advertising on the site, but also encourages readers to click the advertisement links, with obvious benefits to the site.

The title of the page is also provided in large fonts, but of a different type than the advertising. "Los Angeles Times" is written in relatively small, gothic font right above the larger and simpler "latimes.com." The latter suggests the new, web-based format, while the former is the older, paper-based format. The suggestion is that the traditional values upheld by the publication in the past is not compromised, but rather enhanced by new technology.

Although there is a large amount of information in a somewhat small space, the font color and size, with the help of photographs, provide an element of organization to the information. Headlines and other important information are provided in larger font sizes and situated near the top of the page. The left margin contains a list of links in small, black font, organized under highlighted headings.

The rest of the information on the page is also organized under slightly larger font headings, with bulleted points underneath them. The font color on the main section of the page alternates between black and blue, further serving to organize the information in an easily manageable way.

The Web site is therefore designed to serve its purpose in the most functional way possible: providing as much information as possible in a user-friendly and clear way.

The Tazo Tea Company has a less daunting task. Its information is much more focused than that of the LA Times, with its wealth of news items. The Tazo site requires its front page to focus solely on the topic of tea. This both simplifies and complicates the font requirements. The narrower focus makes it simpler to make font choices that are user friendly. The matter is however complicated by the challenge to keep the reader interested and intrigued by a single topic while visiting the Web site. This is a balance that Tazo has managed to accomplish remarkably well.

The name of the company, "Tazo," appears at the top of the page. It is written in white within a black frame. The font style is mystical, almost occult, suggesting that tea is a substance with magical connotations. This suggestion is fortified by the text on the main page, inviting the reader to examine tea leaves or spin the "Wheel o'Tazo." These are mystical activities, inviting the reader to explore tea as a substance that is more than just a beverage.