Web accessibility is defined as creating websites and web-based tools that can be accessed and function properly for all people regardless of their hardware, software, language, or ability. And while most would agree with this statement, the reality is a good chunk of the web has not been created with this goal in mind.
Sometimes your needs come into focus as time moves along. They are not immediately obvious. This week I realized I needed a wall calendar. I found myself asking Siri what the date was each AM before reading through a daily devotional. I’d rather look up and see for myself. Plus, it allows me the chance to buy a very cool illustrated calendar that will add to the office decor.
I find podcasting a beneficial format for digesting content. From weekend binge listening to Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History to Distributed by Matt Mullenweg and all topics in between. There’s a lot to be gained and not just for entertainment purposes. Legal podcasters have a strong voice and I want to make sure LexBlog is doing everything we can to help them.
Where should the article image go? This question feels like it has a simple answer. Simple, that is, until you consider all the factors in play.
Graceful degrading is a strategy of handling web page design for a variety of different browsers, both old and new. I’ve seen humorous examples even deployed where the entire site would load in black and white for users who were on an outdated browser.
Over the last month, The LexBlog design and dev team have been working on a redesign for LexBlog.com article pages. I find the best way to start a redesign is to ignore the home page or other landing pages (which will be updated soon). And focus on a text-heavy article page that receives the bulk of page views.
LexBlog design strives to provide leadership and guidance on best practices that ensure our products are of the highest quality. Over the years we have been asked to use or create custom graphics as the title for a blog. While this approach was widely accepted as the norm many years ago, it no longer works with today’s mobile web. I decided to jot down a few reasons why this approach is a bad idea.
There’s the adage that says, Many hands make light work. This truth can also run amuck if the many hands involved are inept and unwilling to work together as a team. The same goes for gathering feedback and criticism on a design project. You need to show others and test on potential users. However, the eyes looking need to be engaged in the process or know the goals so that you avoid drive-by feedback that is without the understanding of what they are observing. Context is key.
It’s not uncommon to want the thing you’ve invested time, energy, and effort into to look amazing when you are finished. To desire a process from start to finish that is organized, efficient, and devoid of any significant hiccups. Unfortunately, most creative processes are quite the opposite. They are grueling and messy; they are full of mistakes and redos. I love how Ed Catmull puts it:
Over the past thirteen years, I’ve witnessed and been apart of LexBlog maturing from a startup with a few employees to a highly functioning company with an established vision to improve legal services by bridging the gap between consumers and legal professionals.