{"id":16031,"date":"2013-04-18T10:45:13","date_gmt":"2013-04-18T14:45:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/audreymarcotte.ca\/uncategorized\/the-implicit-visual-code-of-the-web\/"},"modified":"2025-02-13T18:14:06","modified_gmt":"2025-02-13T23:14:06","slug":"the-implicit-visual-code-of-the-web","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/audreymarcotte.ca\/en\/the-implicit-visual-code-of-the-web\/","title":{"rendered":"The Implicit Visual Code of the Web"},"content":{"rendered":"

The world and times are changing. The web too.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, the web does not always evolve at the same rate as the users of the sites, who are becoming more and more familiar with certain principles and functionalities. Before, we wrote everything: Click here<\/em>, Back to home<\/em>, Read more<\/em>, etc. Over time, a much simpler and much more visual implicit web code took hold. I wouldn\u2019t dare to say that this code is fully acquired by 100% of users, but it is on the way to becoming so. This article aims to list elements from this code in order to continue this momentum and simplify our interfaces. I also invite you to read this excellent article that deals with<\/p>\n

the <\/span>progressive simplification of UI<\/a> .<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Logo that Directs to the Homepage<\/h2>\n

It is obvious. The logo directs to the homepage. So why do we still see \u201cHome\u201d labels inside a menu?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Required Fields (*)<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s a known formula: we stick an asterisk to a mandatory field. The reference to \u201cRequired fields<\/em>\u201d is still very present, but does it still need to be? The asterisk alone could definitely do the job.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h2>\n

Read More<\/h2>\n

Blog posts are often presented with an excerpt that ends with the traditional Read more ><\/em>. Knowing that the title of the article is clickable (as is the image, if applicable), do we still need this link? I have my doubts.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h2>\n

The \u201cEnter\u201d Key That Replaces Buttons<\/h2>\n

Two simple examples where pressing \u201cEnter\u201d replaces the presence of buttons. A good principle to consider depending on the context.<\/p>\n

The \u201cSearch\u201d Button<\/h3>\n

A search field is often accompanied by a button to submit your request: a magnifying glass or the \u201cSearch\u201d button. Ideally, this same request can be activated simply by pressing the \u201cEnter\u201d key. So, do we really need the button?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

\u201cComment\u201d Button<\/h3>\n

Comments on Facebook or Disqus use the \u201cEnter\u201d key to send the written comment. This principle is increasingly accepted by users, so we can afford to question the presence of the \u201cComment\u201d button.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Home on Breadcrumb Navigation<\/h2>\n

A larger site requires a breadcrumb trail. This is good for SEO and gives the user a visual cue of where they are on the site. An increasingly accepted code is the replacement of the term \u201cHome\u201d by its icon, also saving a minimum of space.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Click Here<\/h2>\n

A big favorite of government sites (a little less since the adoption of accessibility standards), the famous Click here<\/em> link is probably the first element that needs to be removed. Good web practice is to name the link explicitly<\/a> and identify it visually as clickable.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u201cClick here\u201d link to be avoided<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Movable Menu<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s the latest trend, because with the omnipresence of responsive design, the visual code of mobile is constantly evolving. The three horizontal lines perfectly symbolize the menu in mobile versions. Other variations are also possible\u2014Smashing Magazine also offers\u00a0an article on the subject<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The application of this simplification is desirable on today\u2019s sites. And like it or not, it\u2019s the designer\u2019s job to step up and encourage the use and expansion of this visual code.<\/p>\n

Perhaps you have other ideas or elements that are part of this implicit code of the web that would be worth listing here? Please feel free to share them with me<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Happy simplifying!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The world and times are changing. The web too. On the other hand, the web does not always evolve at the same rate as the users of the sites, who are becoming more and more familiar with certain principles and functionalities. Before, we wrote everything: Click here, Back to home, Read more, etc. Over time, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"content-sidebar","footnotes":""},"categories":[438],"tags":[459,440],"class_list":["post-16031","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-user-experience-ux","tag-responsive-design-en","tag-ux-design","entry"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Implicit Visual Code of the Web<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Over time, an implicit web code, much simpler and much more visual, has taken hold. 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