KAMİS
Multimedia Elements
Animation Elements
Principle
When designing animation elements, their purpose, frequency of use, and mechanics should be carefully planned, and excessive or unnecessary use should be avoided.
Description
Animated elements on websites are effective tools for capturing user attention. The purpose of using animations is typically to draw attention to the page, aid in conveying intended messages, and sometimes add an element of fun.
Guidelines
- The purpose of the animation should be revealed by determining the points where user attention should be focused and animations should be designed accordingly.
- Animation elements used on the website should assist users in understanding and grasping the intended messages.
- Animation elements should not be used inappropriately and in excessive numbers.
- Animations can provide more significant benefits when prepared for user education purposes or for informing (and engaging) young users.
References
- ISO 9241-151 / 7.2.3.1 – Selecting appropriate media objects
- ISO 9241-151 / 7.2.3.3 – Enabling users to control time-dependent media objects
Useful Resources
Significance Level
★★★★★ 3/5
Example
In the sample site, a public service animation has been created for children aged 7-12. The animations are tailored to the target audience and effectively convey the intended messages.
Background Images
Principle
The use of background images on websites should be avoided as much as possible. In cases where they are necessary, simple and patternless images should be preferred.
Description
The use of background images is an undesirable method because it increases file size, reduces page loading speed, and hinders the readability of page content.
Guidelines
- In cases where it is necessary to use a background image, small, simple and low resolution images should be preferred.
- In the text on the picture, care should be taken to ensure that there is a tonal difference (contrast) between the picture and the text at a level that will ensure comfortable readability.
References
- ISO 9241-151 / 7.2.3.1 – Selecting appropriate media objects
Useful Resources
Significance Level
★★★★★ 4/5
Example
In the sample site, the background images used for buttons make it difficult to read the text.
Photo and Image Selection
Principle
The use of photos or images within a website should be determined considering the purpose of the intended message and the target audience.
Description
The decision to use photos or images on a website can be made based on the content and the target audience. While photos take up more space due to their size, they can provide more understandable information compared to drawn images. However, in some cases, the necessary message can be conveyed more effectively with abstract and simple drawings.
Guidelines
- The use of photographs or pictures should be decided by considering the purpose of the message to be given and the target audience.
- In websites addressing young age groups, it may be preferable to use drawing pictures considering the perception of the relevant age group.
References
- ISO 9241-151 / 7.2.3.1 – Selecting appropriate media objects
Useful Resources
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Significance Level
★★★★★ 4/5
Example
In the sample site, the real image (on the right) depicting first aid intervention provides clearer and more explicit information.
Icons
Principle
Icons used within a page should be simple, clear, and supportive of the element they are used alongside.
Description
Icons are generally used as supplementary elements to provide visual assistance in conveying the subject or message at hand. When designing and using icons, it is crucial to thoroughly analyze user perception and expectations. Otherwise, icons used to contribute can have the opposite effect, making them more of an element that challenges the user and negatively impacts the user experience.
Guidelines
- User perception and expectations should be considered in icon design.
- Icons should be designed to be clear and understandable.
- Icon usage should not only make the meaning much easier to discern but also consider the possibility that the same icon can have different meanings to different user profiles.
- For websites with international usage potential, attention should be given to international differences in meaning.
- Icons should contribute positively to the clarity of the element they are used alongside.
References
- –
Useful Resources
Significance Level
★★★★★ 4/5
Example
In the sample site, icons are used quite clearly and support the text links.
Logos
Principle
Corporate logos should be used consistently across all pages.
Description
Using and maintaining consistent corporate logos helps users identify the website they are on. Ambiguities in the site's identity can lead to a decrease in user satisfaction.
Guidelines
- Corporate logos should be used consistently in terms of shape, style, size, and placement across all pages of the website.
- Generally, it is recommended to position corporate logos in the top-left corner of the page.
- Having the corporate logo and other corporate identity elements available in different file formats through a dedicated page for download can be useful. Keeping this page up to date is also important.
References
- ISO 9241-151 / 6.11 – Identifying the website and its owner
Useful Resources
Significance Level
★★★★★ 4/5
Example
In the sample site, displaying the corporate logo in the same location and format consistently across all pages provides uniformity.
Thumbnail Images
Principle
When displaying images on a website, if viewing the full-sized image is not necessary, thumbnail images should be used.
Description
Thumbnail images present users with reduced versions of the images on the page. Loading thumbnail images before full-sized images will prevent users from loading images they do not want to view and, as a result, unnecessary waiting.
Guidelines
- Provide users with the option to choose thumbnail images, allowing them to decide which image they want to view or download in full-screen.
- Specify whether clicking on the thumbnail image will display or download the full-sized image.
- Thumbnail images used on the website should be smaller not only in dimensions but also in resolution compared to the full-sized images.
References
- ISO 9241-151 / 7.2.3.1 – Selecting appropriate media objects
Useful Resources
- ISO 9241-151 / 7.2.3.1 – Selecting appropriate media objects
Significance Level
★★★★★ 3/5
Example
In the sample site, thumbnail images are listed, and clicking on a thumbnail image allows for viewing the larger version.
Image Files
Principle
The file formats of image elements used on the website should be chosen to serve their intended purpose, and the use of unnecessary images should be avoided.
Description
Images help people grasp concepts or topics more easily. Therefore, the use of images is important, but it's essential to avoid situations that disrupt the user's browsing comfort.
Guidelines
- When incorporating image elements on websites, attention should be given to using them in a way that makes the content more understandable and uses the necessary number.
- It should be noted that using too many images can slow down the page's loading speed, and this should be avoided.
- Instead of large-sized formats like bitmaps, smaller file formats like .jpeg, .jpg, .png, or .gif should be used.
References
- ISO 9241-151 / 7.2.3.1 – Selecting appropriate media objects
Useful Resources
Significance Level
★★★★★ 4/5
Example
In the sample site, images are categorized, and each category has a representative image listed on the page. Users can access other photos related to the category through links.
Audio Elements
Principle
Audio elements should be used to provide feedback or to convey speeches and, if applicable, musical compositions to users.
Description
Today's technology has begun to express itself with sounds. Sound is used as a feedback mechanism in many devices. The use of sounds is of great convenience when the screen is not visible or simultaneous operations are being performed.
Guidelines
- In simultaneous operations, audio feedback regarding progress that is not in the user's focus should be provided.
- When navigating over menu items, there should not be a continuous background sound playing every time an item is hovered over or when entering a new page.
References
- ISO 9241-151 / 7.2.3.1 – Selecting appropriate media objects
Useful Resources
- –
Significance Level
★★★★★ 3/5
Example
A user is chatting in a chat window on the website for a while and then begins to engage in other activities on the page. In the chat window, which is not in the user's focus, the messages written by the other person are conveyed to the user with an audio notification.
Video Elements
Principle
Video elements should be used to aid in understanding and supporting site content, and users should be allowed to control these elements.
Description
Video elements can be used to capture the user's attention and more effectively convey the intended message. The judicious and appropriate use of these elements in the right places makes site content more understandable.
Guidelines
- Video elements should not be used excessively or unnecessarily.
- Video elements on websites should allow users to pause, resume, or restart them.
- Users should be able to see which second of the video they are currently at.
- If users are watching multiple videos, the order of the videos should be indicated.
References
- ISO 9241-151 / 7.2.3.1 – Selecting appropriate media objects
- ISO 9241-151 / 7.2.3.3 – Enabling users to control time-dependent media objects
Useful Resources
Significance Level
★★★★★ 4/5
Example
In the sample site, users can control the video, see which second of the video they are at, and determine the order of the videos when watching multiple videos.