Guidelines for using Graphics on a Web site |
| Graphics should fit in with the purpose, organization, and style of the page |
They should enhance the design, structure, or informative content of the web page without distracting attention. |
| Avoid using graphics with large file sizes that add to the load time of the page |
Consider the cumulative file size of all images on the page. Excessive page weight caused by poor image use can result in slow load times for pages. |
| Graphics should help to guide the viewers focus to the important content on the page |
Using visually strong graphic elements on a page can be useful in directing viewers attention and providing structure for the page. |
| Avoid repetitive use of overly bright or potentially obnoxious images |
These types of "eye catching" images may be attractive at first, but after the novelty wears off, they may cause viewers to lose patience with the site. |
| Avoid the use of graphics to convey textual content information |
While it may be tempting from a design standpoint to use images for textual information because of the greater number of design options such as font choices and text effects, graphic based text presents a variety of problems |
| Provide textual equivalent alternatives for graphic content |
Whenever images are used, it is important to provide equivalent content or descriptions of the image in a textual format. The most common way this is done is to provide descriptive text using the ALT attribute. |
| When using text in graphics, make sure there is sufficient contrast between the text and the background color |
Design graphic elements so that users can easily distinguish the text from its background. Also, be sure to avoid color combinations (reds and greens for example) that color blind users will not be able to distinguish apart from one another. |
