This presentation looks at some good design practices from 25 research themed websites and provides some takeaways.

1. GOOD DESIGNPRACTICES FROM 25RESEARCH THEMEDWEBSITES November 2009

2. Here we cover 25 research websites and dissect some good design practices from them.Disclaimer: We are not promoting our own work, rather have picked 25 example websites which we are not affiliated with.

3. General remarks from all sites Good use of white background resulting in easier content readability Well designed and positioned logos communicating visual identity well Effective use of images to support the message of the websites

4. General remarks from all sites Sponsor and partner logos are clearly visible Very good use of colour contrast making the consumption of content easier on the eye

5. GOOD USE OF LARGE IMAGERY ON HOMEPAGE TO CONVEY MEANINGhttp://www.spatialeconomics.ac.uk http://www.eyemovementresearch.comhttp://cep.lse.ac.uk

9. USING DIAGRAMS TO EFFECTIVELY EXPLAIN THE RESEARCH PROJECThttp://www.e-mep.orghttp://www.euindiagrid.eu

12. MATCHING HEADER GRAPHICS WITH THE NATURE OF THE RESEARCH http://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/microsites/oess http://www.1000genomes.org http://www.enfin.org http://www.geography.dur.ac.uk/projects/science

17. STRIKING COLOURS ADDING VISUAL APPEALhttp://www.innovationstudies.orghttp://www.aimresearch.org http://www.ifs.org.uk/centres/ESRC

21. PROMINENT NAVIGATION WITH QUICK ACCESS TO INFORMATION http://www.eurostars-eureka.eu http://www.ncrm.ac.uk/research/about

26. UNCLUTTERED DESIGNS, LETTING THE CONTENT BREATHEhttp://www.riben.org.ukhttp://www.felics.orghttp://www.velox-project.euhttp://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/pssru

31. USE OF SMALL ‘SNIPPETS’ OF TEXT TO INFORM AND NOT OVERWHELM http://www.coextra.euhttp://www.iclei-europe.orghttp://newdynamics.group.shef.ac.uk/projects/22

38. INTEGRATING GOOD CALLS TO ACTIONhttp://www.eatg.orghttp://www.increast.euhttp://www.elixir-europe.org

45. USING VIDEO TO INFORM http://engage.ac.uk

47. Final takeaways: Make the message clear Have a prominent logo Match colours with the research theme Write short paragraphs and/or use video to introduce the research topic

48. Final takeaways: Make consumption of info easier Break content up with images, icons Use good colour contrast Make it interactive (wikis, forums etc.) Do not provide access to every single page from the home page, uncluttered is better

49. Final takeaways: Guide users of the website Display temporal info: events, news, research results, calls for proposals Include effective calls to action with prominent graphics (where do you want visitors to go?) Provide snippets of info and lead the user to read more

50. THANK YOU FOR READING Authors: Henrik Kahra & Muntazir Panjwani Showtime Studios LLP Design Agency Please leave any comments and suggestions.

51. More web design and communication tips for academics and researchers, please visit: http://researchers.showtimestudios.co.uk

52. Image & content credits:http://www.aimresearch.orghttp://engage.ac.ukhttp://www.velox-project.euhttp://www.innovationstudies.orghttp://www.riben.org.ukhttp://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/microsites/oesshttp://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/pssruhttp://newdynamics.group.shef.ac.uk/projects/22http://www.euindiagrid.euhttp://www.eyemovementresearch.comhttp://www.increast.euhttp://www.eurostars-eureka.eu Content of these slides are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License

53. Image & content credits:http://cep.lse.ac.ukhttp://www.1000genomes.orghttp://www.geography.dur.ac.uk/projects/sciencehttp://www.elixir-europe.orghttp://www.coextra.euhttp://www.iclei-europe.org http://www.e-mep.orghttp://www.ncrm.ac.uk/research/abouthttp://www.spatialeconomics.ac.ukhttp://www.enfin.orghttp://www.eatg.orghttp://www.felics.orghttp://www.ifs.org.uk/centres/ESRC Content of these slides are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License