Print Versus Online

The differences in designing online and designing for print lies directly in their dimensionality. As suggested by Nielson (1999) Print design has a 2 dimensional lay out for the readers. This lay out is limited by the pages the paper has and the size of the canvas. Whereas online print is simultaneous 1 dimensional and N-Dimensional. The N-Dimensional or Navigation-Dimensional gives online the edge where it has features such as hyperlinks, unlike its predecessor these links gives you the ability to move around the web and not be limited by just turning a page. (Nielson 1999)


These differences in basic design also changes the way articles, stories and etc. are written on print or online. According Kress andVan Leeuwan (1998)Information on print such as newspaper and magazine has to be given in full. The readers must have all the information on the limited space f the canvas given.




Online print has a different take on writing. Parker (2003) Since Online publication has links and larger canvas to play with. The information can be scattered in different pages. For example, the first page would have only the important information, u can later press on a link for more information or relating stories.

References

Nielsen, J 1999, Print vs. web design, 24 January, viewed 7 November 2008, < http://www.useit.com/alertbox/990124.html>

Kress, G & van Leeuwen, T 1998, Approaches to media discourse, Blackwell, Oxford

Parker, C. 2003, Looking Good in Print, 5th edition, Paraglyph Press, Scottsdale