Online Plaforms In a Level 3 platform, the huge difference is

Platform - iis defined as a group of technologies that that the third-party application code actually runs
is used as a base upon which other applications or inside the platform-developer code is uploaded and
process are developed. These technologies help us runs online, inside the core system. Examples:
produce and share more meaningful information Andreessen’s own Ning and Salesforce.com
through online platforms and applications. Some of
which are free using templates.
NATURE AND PURPOSES OF ONLINE
PLATFORMS
Techopedia defines “platform” in computing as the
operating system and computer hardware. It follows Examples of online platforms and application:
a set of standards that enables software applications 1. 1. Presentation Tools. It is graphic program that
for the platform. These standards allow owners and allows you to create slide show in presenting the
managers to purchase appropriate applications and topic, lecture, demonstrate to enlighten, educate,
hardware. communicate, or persuade the audience.
Examples: Prezi, Zoho show, MindMeister
According to Marc Andreessen on his blog, is “a 2. 2.. Cloud Computing. It means storing and
system that can be programmed and therefore accessing data and program over the internet
customized by outside developers-users-and in that instead of your computer’s hard drive. Examples:
way, adapted to countless needs and niches that the Google Drive, Evernote, Dropbox
platform’s original developers could not have 3. 3. Mapping Tools. It is the creation of maps, a
possibly contemplated, much less had time to graphic symbolic representation of the
accommodate.” significant features of part of the earth’s surface.
Examples: Wikimapia, Google maps
A platform has three levels: 4. 4. File Management Platforms. It is a computer
Level 1 – Access API; program that provide a user interface to manage
Level 2 – Plug-in API; file and folder. Examples: Zamzar, Word2pdf
Level 3 – Runtime Environment 5. 5. Social Media. It is a website and application
that enable user to create and share content or
Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of participate in social networking. Examples:
subroutine definitions, communication protocols, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
and tools for building software. In general terms, it 6. 6. Web Page Creation. It is a document that
is a set of clearly defined methods of communication suitable for the World Wide Web and Web
between various components. Browser. It is also written in HTML or
comparable mark-up language. Examples: Wix,
Level 1 – Access API Weebly, Jimdo
It is the most common type of internet WEB DESIGN PRINCIPLES
platform. The apps on this level run elsewhere and 7. According to Cleverism, “Web design is a
call into the platform via web services API to draw concept of planning, creating, and maintaining
on data and services. On this level, the processes of websites.” It is the process of creatively
building and running the application itself is solely designing and constructing a website and
done by a developer who possesses both technical updating it regularly to incorporate changes.
expertise and financial resources. Examples: Google 8.
Search, Google Map 9. Principles to follow in effective designing your
web page or site.
Level 2 – Plug-in API Visual Hierarchy
This is the kind of platform approach that, This explains the order or sequence in which
historically, has been used in end-user applications our eye moves and perceives the things it sees.
to let developers build new functions that can be This is a technique wherein, as the developer,
injected or plugged into the core system and its user you have to distinguish the importance of
interface. Examples: Facebook, Instagram every part of your web page. Elements should
be ranked according to its importance and your
Level 3 – Runtime Environment
objectives. It can be shown through the use of most information by taking helping of
varying sizes and amount of content. less visual elements.
Proportion  Communicate – The user interface of
You can make use of the golden ratio, a the web design must be such that users
magical number approximately equal to 1.618 are able to understand everything in the
that makes all things proportioned so as to most convenient way. There must be a
make a design aesthetically pleasing. As the balance between readability, legibility,
designer, you should keep in mind the proper color, texture, and views.
division of the contents of your web page to Whitespace and Simple Design
avoid crowding the view. White space helps divide the web page into
Hick’s Law several distinct parts or areas that make it
This law can be considered as a guideline for simpler for the users to process information.
decision making in a viewer’s perspective. The following are some of the other things that
Hick’s law states that “with every additional can be considered as a part of a simple design:
choice, the time required to make a decision  Grid-based layout – To avoid a messy
increases.” This law does not only hold true for structure or appearance of the website,
web design but also in a number of other you must opt for a grid-based layout in
situations and settings. This means that we which content is divided into columns,
need to reduce the number of choices in order boxes, and different sections.
to provide a better user experience.  F-pattern design – It is a fact that the
Fitt’s Law human eye scans screens in an ‘F’
According to this law, the time needed to move pattern. Thus, it is a good idea to design
to a target is dependent upon the size of the a web page or website in a way that
target as well as the distance to the target. complements the natural reading
behavior of the visitors.
Accessibility  Conventional designs – Conventional
When a visitor enters the website, he or designs are not always boring and rather
she must be able to access each bit of work well as far as visitor response or
information in the easiest manner. Typefaces likeability is concerned. They add a hint
must be readable to all and is not too fancy for of trust, reliability as well as brand
some to access or understand. Make your own credibility.
color palette and choose contrasting color Regular Testing
background and written content so that it can Test Early and Test Often (TETO), is another
be easily read. Make sure your images are of web design principle that all designers and
high-quality and are suitable for your purpose. website owners must consider. Conducting
This means that the text must be legible, the usability tests every now and then provides
colors must not be harsh on the eyes and the important results and insights into many kinds
background must not overpower the content, of problems and complications related to a
etc. website layout or aspects of design. Websites
Visual Language constantly need
A web page design should communicate with
the users clearly and in an engaging manner.
The following are the principles for a
successful visual language:
 Organize – The first principle of visible
language or effective communication is
to provide the visitors of your website a
clear and highly consistent layout or
structure.
 Economize – This principle involves
achieving more by utilizing less. This
means that you must try to deliver the