Listening to the Visual Message
“Never judge a book by its cover” – a wonderful sentiment that goes against everything that evolution has imprinted in our genetic code. Many thousands (perhaps millions?) of years ago, our genetic code was imprinted with the idea that we should judge things by its appearance.1 These judgments could be the difference between life and death. That is why none of the history books mention support groups and sensitivity sessions to help people understand why the Visigoths behaved they way they did or why the Grand Inquisitors chose such “interesting” methods of torture.2
In our more modern era, we like to think that we no longer judge things by its appearance. However, we not only continue to do so – despite the Susan Boyle phenomenon – we are often expected to do so. That is why so much thought goes into the design of websites and their home pages. Their visual message tells us something about what lies within.
To illustrate this point, I’ve provided four different website home page screen shots. My commentary on each of these designs is kept to a minimum since this is an exercise, not in intellectual acuity, but in visual acuity. The visuals “speak” to you. Listen carefully to their message.
Exhibit A: The Weekly StandardThis website is the online companion to the print publication of the same name. |
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Exhibit B: The New YorkerThis website is the online companion to the print publication of the same name. |
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Exhibit C: Dr. HallowellThis website provides information about A.D.D./A.D.H.D. The placement of a photo on the home page adds a personal touch to the website. |
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Exhibit D: The ADHD-Information-ExchangeThis website provides information about A.D.D./A.D.H.D. The placement of photos on the home page adds a personal touch to the site. (Note: The screen shot was taken on September 9, 2009.) |
| Note: As of Mar 24, 2010 The ADHD-Information Exchange website no longer exists. |
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Why Are We Looking At Website Designs?
One of these websites, specifically the one shown in Exhibit D, has posted information highly critical of me and my blog, “Jeff’s ADD Mind.” First the author writes:
The gift of ADHD is making headlines.
“More and more experts say ADHD can be a gift rather than a malady.”
The above title caught my eye in 2005. The feature article ran in a daily east coast periodical. I want to add something to the end of the title.
More and more experts say ADHD can be a gift rather than a malady, but not enough experts agree with that assessment.
Now, the author makes disparaging remarks about this website and those who visit the website.
Strident anti-gift sentiment leeches into online blogs and forums. A cabal of negative miscreants frequents a blog run by a man named Jeff.
He goes on to write that:
The entire blog, with insidious comments from Gina Pera, can be found at Jeff’s Vacant Mind. His uninformed ramblings will surely make your day.
He writes much more. If you decide to read the post in its entirety (see: The Gift of ADHD), don’t forget the valuable lesson you have just learned. The visual design of a website conveys a message. Listen to that message. It tells you something important about what lies within.
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