Datasheet

DISTINCTIVE DESIGN
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variables that people use to measure your work’s value (such as time and trust) and
a ect the impact upon a user (see Figure 1-3 for an example).
Figure -: Straightforward forms are much less time-intensive than complex documents.
Distinctive design in uences the time it takes to locate important details within a page. It
also sets the tone for how tedious or enjoyable  nding that information is (and by asso-
ciation causes relativity to take e ect). Understanding the connection between the actual
amount of time visitors devote to your site and the perception of time they devote to your
site provides you a rare opportunity to stand out, which, in turn, gives visitors the desire
to return.
Consider the amount of time you spend playing a game in comparison to undertaking a
job you don’t  nd particularly enjoyable. As you spend time doing something you enjoy,
the focus you place on time spent is reduced, much like the famous saying “time  ies
when you’re having fun.”  e “time  ies” ideology (known as “Tempus Fugit”) is a classic
example of how variables can be manipulated to encourage continued use.
Information must be visible within the con nements of the page it’s held in, or else the
distinctive focus that may be drawn simply cannot exist. If you create a page that includes
content or features with low visibility, (like creating elements that inadvertently mini-
mize other elements’ importance or you intentionally apply a negative emphasis to cer-
tain content or features), the content lacking visibility inherently diminishes in
importance in the end-user’s experience and could result in users missing the message.
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