Print media vs. Online media

It is a given that different genres of media require different types of designs to meet its audiences needs, for example, online media and print media. It also depends on the user's preferences and liking. Reep (2006), however, reminds us that a design has to be sequenced and balanced so as for the design to be consistent.

In online media, the reader has to focus all of his or her attention on a certain article because his or her experience is very much guided by the publisher, for example lets say he reads until a certain paragraph and then the editor decides to continue the story on a different page. Thus, the reader has no choice but to flip the pages if he wants to finish the story. (Cochran, 2008) Nielsen (1999) claims that print design is two-dimensional and the attention of readers is grabbed easily. However, this comes with a catch: pictures must be strategically placed on the page and they must be eye-catching.

Example of a print magazine layout.
(Image Source: http://www.ginaginelli.com/images/typo_blau.jpg)

However, for web based or online media, is usually in one whole page instead of a few pages. It is very user-oriented and publishers cannot control what they want a user to read. Therefore, they most work at getting a website to be eye-catching and attractive so as to catch the users' atttention. (Cochran, 2008)

Example of an online media layout.

(Image source: http://dciwebworks.com/assets/images/rornj.jpg)

References:

Cochran, R 2008, ‘Print Design Versus Web Design’, Articlesbase.com, viewed 4 November 2008, http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/print-design-versus-web-design-622978.html


Nielsen, J 1999, Differences Between Print Design and Web Design, Useit.com, viewed 4 November 2008, http://www.useit.com/alertbox/990124.html

Reep, DC 1996, ‘Chapter 6: Document design’ in Technical Writing: Principles, Strategies, and Reading, 6th edn, Pearson/Longman, New York.