Web Design Techniques: F - Layout in Web Design
Today, we will focus on the F - layout in web design. Traditional layout methods rely on arranging visual cues to "control" the user's visual path. In contrast, the F - layout is more natural and user - friendly. This article will discuss some rules, principles, and design methods of the F - layout.
Introduction to F - Layout
The F - layout is a very scientific layout method, and its basic principle is based on a large number of eye - movement studies. Generally speaking, the visual trajectory of users when browsing a web page is as follows: they first look at the top, then the upper - left corner, and then follow the left edge straight down... And users often pay little attention to the information on the right. Doesn't this resemble the letter F? Accordingly, we usually place important elements (such as the brand logo, navigation, and call - to - action controls) on the left, while the right is generally used for placing some advertising information that is irrelevant to users.
Let's summarize the general pattern of users browsing a web page:
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First, they look at the upper - left corner of the page to find out what the website is (so this is a suitable place to place the logo) — "know what it is".
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Then, they scan the top of the page (the navigation bar, search bar) — "understand how to use it".
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Next, the user's line of sight moves down, and they start reading the content of the next line.
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Users enter the "scanning mode". Once they find something interesting, they will open it.
There is an important rule that cannot be ignored: reading generally goes from top to bottom and from left to right. Users often ignore the content on the right side and just give it a quick glance. Therefore, don't put too much effort into the right - hand side. The content area should be placed on the left where users' attention is highly concentrated.
In conclusion, based on the above logic, we can draw the following conclusions:
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The brand logo and navigation should be placed at the top of the page, as this is the user's first impression of the website.
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In the content structure, images are more likely to attract attention.
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After users browse the images, the next thing they focus on is the title.
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Users will generally skim the text but often won't read it thoroughly.
Applying the F - Layout to Design
Here, I did a small exercise and used the wireframe method to layout the main elements.
I placed the website's mission statement under the navigation bar. In this way, after users browse the logo and navigation, they can quickly understand the website's purpose. The advantage of the two - column layout is that the information hierarchy is clear, and it is convenient for users to quickly scan the content... The main content column + auxiliary sidebar.
It's a bit rough, but the key points are all there. When browsing this web page, you can get the website's purpose/mission in just a few seconds.
The function of the navigation bar is to guide users and let them know how to go to different pages.
In the content area below the top, the title is set very prominently. After users browse the images, they can quickly notice the title... As for the text content, it doesn't have to be forced.
Is your visual path when browsing this page like this?
After completing the F - layout, we can add some detailed elements on this basis.
It is also worth noting that the control of the distance between lines in the F - layout. Depending on different design requirements, designers can adjust it appropriately. If you want to create a relaxed reading atmosphere, the spacing can be larger. If there is a large amount of information, you can reduce the spacing to create a compact reading feeling. As for maintaining the reading rhythm and consistency, please refer to the previous articles on YouSheWang. We won't go into details here.
If the page is infinitely long, and users keep browsing like this, they will definitely get bored and feel dull, right? Here, you can make some adjustments and add some elements that are "inconsistent" with the F - layout rules to bring some variety to the reading rhythm.
The image column is an "inconsistent" element. Its appearance is somewhat unexpected and breaks users' expectations. This design is suitable for super - long vertically - scrolling web pages, so that users won't feel bored.
Principles of F - Layout
The reason why the F - layout works is that it conforms to users' browsing habits and is more natural. It conforms to the reading mode of "from top to bottom and from left to right".
However, this reading mode has both advantages and disadvantages:
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In this way, the most valuable content can only be placed at the top of the page. Some clichéd text content cannot effectively attract users' attention. Users don't even bother to read the abstract and just "pass by" after looking at the title.
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Web pages that over - emphasize the packaging of "titles" and "images" undoubtedly do not conform to the principle of "content first".
When designers adopt the F - layout for design, many designers feel that they are not like designers but more like "advertisers" creating gimmicks. Web design is too utilitarian, only pursuing short - term page views and not following the principle of "content is king". Many users may feel good at first, but after reading the content, they may feel cheated and may not visit the web page again.
Therefore, designers need to coordinate the relationship between content and layout. It's a bit like in martial arts novels. The content is like internal strength, and the layout is like moves. No matter how beautiful the fancy moves are, a person with profound internal strength can break them with a single powerful move.
So, how should the right - hand sidebar be designed? Here are two suggestions:
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Present relevant content. For example, links, advertisements related to the website theme, related reading recommendations, social media widgets, etc. Don't place vulgar and irrelevant advertisements just for profit.
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You can place some content retrieval tools, such as tags, article searches, most - popular articles, etc.
Summary
No matter how design trends change, the principles behind the F - layout will not become outdated because they are users' long - term habits.
Or rather, the F - layout is just a guise. The purpose of this article is to strengthen everyone's understanding of users' long - term reading habits — "from top to bottom and from left to right". Although this is a bit of a cliche, after the vivid analysis in this article, do you have any insights? What new views do you have on the segmentation of the rhythm?
Attractive images and gimmicky titles are just tricks. Content is king. How to combine them and have both? Designers need to go further.
Let the layout be more than just a method. We can look further and incorporate some user - experience design elements. Try it and let your design keep "upgrading".
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