Arsenalbox Style Guide
On this page I will explain the detail behind Arsenalbox.net styles, colors, and makeups that are seen throughout the website. I will cover over important guidelines that my site should follow, or else examples that explain the methods of use for Arsenalbox.net. These areas are listed as follows:
Navigation
Typography
Color
Logos
Graphics
Content
“Best Practices”
Each section will answer the questions why, where, and how Arsenalbox.net will be formed in the way that it is. Hopefully, by answering these questions we will be able to see the purpose of planning with a style guide and what makes Arsenalbox.net unique to viewers.
Navigation
When viewers visit Arsenalbox.net they will experience a very easy and user-friendly navigation system. This is because clicking on the link for the desired section will access each section. This will then lead them to a page designed just for the subject being explained. The purpose of Arsenalbox.net is to inform and educate those who visit the domain.
Header
Using underlined-blue text I will designate the difference between normal text and a link leading to a section. On the header there will be a simple title that visitors will be able to read and understand that they are now visiting my web page. Also, I will have the links listed at the top to avoid clutter or distractions when reading, or viewing, the material on the different sections. My web page logo for Arsenalbox.net will be a standard link that will link back to the homepage (http://arsenalbox.net/). The logo will be located in the header at the start of the toolbar for all the links. Above the center image there will be a changing inspirational theme that relates to Muay Boran and other martial arts. During the duration of the visit to the homepage a new short quote or training tip will appear. This will change every eight to ten seconds.
Footer
The footer will contain copyright information as well as legal rights to share the information posted on my website. This will be backed with terms and conditions for viewing my website. Contact information will also be provided. That way if anyone has any questions I will be able to respond to their concerns. I will also have a link to my information about myself at the footer. This way the theme will not be centered on my training or understanding, and the viewers can research without this impression. Also another feature that I find will be most useful is the site map. This will have all the links to go directly to everything listed in an organized fashion. One example of this can be found on Apple’s website. This will also be a similar format for the links to other websites that relate to the subject of Muay Boran.
Typography
This is a situation where size does matter. The different fonts and size of the fonts will play a big roll in navigation. The way that the lettering is will either cause the viewer to hesitate, be memorized, or be confused and lost. Knowing these rules will help my website give a good experience for those researching. Another thing that should be considered is the fact that researchers will be reading a great deal more. With this in mind the text needs to be readable and easy on the eyes. I plan on following the standards that are similar to the Penn State site guide.
Logos
The logos for Arsenalbox.net will be transitional on each page to make it easier to be redirected to the homepage. The logos will be relatively small and simple but big enough to know the Logo. I will also have individual logos that reflect certain aspects of the sections. For example: on the section referring to feet there will be a picture of a side angle-silhouetted man kicking. Similar logos will be reflected for each section, but different for each.
Graphics
The tints and shading will be all in accordance with the different areas. I will use a white background with very little (if any) movement in the logos. I will keep pretty much everything stationary so that it doesn’t distract from the main theme. The most important thing to remember is the visitors are the ones important. By keeping things rather simple and clean visitors can have an enjoyable visit. What would be most attractive to them? Graphics can answer this question by sticking to the themes throughout the site. Consistent themes of images, colors, text, and graphics will be more effective and efficient.
Content
I will make sure that my website validates as XHTML 1.0 Transitional. I will be using W3 School’s validation service to make sure that everything is within the guidelines of programming; that way those who visit my site and view my source will be able to understand the coding. Also it’s important that all the text, graphics, and other objects are within the boundaries of my web site. I will be using the font styles listed in the Penn State site guide. Other than this I plan on using the appropriate tags for CSS coding.
“Best Practices”
Text headers will be clearly marked and will be across the entire website. By using smaller images in the areas of each page the pages will load faster and be easier to manage. The images will be within the 72kb standards so that the images will look more professional. Although I won’t be able to please everyone with everything in my website I can at least have professional looking quality images. Clearly making special links, such as the links that lead to other sites relating to Muay Boran, make it easier for user to know where they are going. Links that lead to PDF’s of my site guide will also need to be clearly marked so that those who aren’t looking for it won’t stumble upon it. Paragraphs will also be informative, but won’t take away from those who are trying to learn the different techniques. There needs to be a balance between information that is readable and information that is viewable. It’s important to be creative, but so long as it is not taking away from the real theme and important materials. Less is more because it makes it easier to load the page. Speed is as important as the correct web address: If everything is slowly loading because there is too much stuff that is technical then it’s the same as not finding the site that you want.
