Web design has many significant differences compare with print design. Johnson (2006) states that print design is much more stable, long-lasting and controllable compared with web design. According to European Commission (2012) and Morkes & Nielsen (1997), people will not read through every single word when reading the web design and website. They scan and scroll for the information that they like which are normally different from those people who are reading print design like newspaper.
Newspaper (Print Design)
Blog (Screen Design)
Bear (n.d.) stated that the Typography using in print design is different from web design, as what looks good on print does not necessary suitable and can be viewed in the web design. Print design normally can use more typography as it is fixed by print out. Web users may not be able to view the same fonts as what had been designed when they are using different web browsers and softwares (Mac, Windows).
New York Times Newspaper
We can see the New York Times Newspaper has been using more than 10 types of different fonts (typographic) in its front page, which the design and graphics will be the same for all its copies
Web design usually utilises the function called Navigation which allows the existence of hypertext and links that users can click on and link it to another useful resources (Nielsen 1999) which cannot be performed by print design.
From above, the circle is the links that provide further information for users from other sites.
Nielsen (1999) also states that print design like Newspaper caused immense impacts to readers as its space, font types, speed and quality are better than web design.
It is harder to read online, therefore, the layout of web design required lesser text, in bullet form, and lesser graphic as reader are impatient to wait for the images. It has small canvas compared to print design (huge canvas) which has more texts and graphic (Morkes & Nielsen 1997; Nielsen 1999). Nevertheless, web can provide more information and animation effects that would not be seen in print design.
References:
Bear, J. H. (no date), 'Print Design vs. Web Design: Similarities and Differences in Print and Web Design', Desktop Publishing, The New York Times Company, New York. Viewed 8th April 2012,
European Commission 2012, 'Structure and Layout' , Information Providers Guide, The EU Internet Handbook. Viewed 7th April 2012,
Johnson, S. 2006, 'Web Design vs. Print Design: How to Find The Middle Ground', Clifton Web Design, Bristol, Uk. Viewed 7th April 2012,
Morkes, J. & Nielsen, J. 1997, 'Concise, SCANNABLE, and Objective: How to Write for the Web', Nielsen Norman Group, USA. VIewed 7th April 2012,
Nielsen, J. 1999, 'Differences Between Print Design and Web Design', Alertboxes, Nielsen Norman Group, USA. VIewed 7th April 2012,
