A convention is a set of agreed, stipulated or generally accepted standards, norms, social norms or criteria, often taking the form of a custom.
Why are they useful?
Conventions are useful because they ensure that websites keep to the same layout to avoid confusion of internet users. Conventions also make it easier for the designer to make the website.
Do we have to use them all the time?
Website makers do not have to follow web conventions strictly otherwise all websites would look the same. They sound like rules but you can bend the rules or break them if u wish. However, its best to try and avoid not using good conventions otherwise the website could be too confusing for users, but obviously websites would need to have their personal touch.
What examples of conventions are found in webdesign?
A convention like the logo of the page is usually at the top left of every page. If the logo was to be situated somewhere else it would take the users more time to locate something as little as the logo. Also, the navigation bar is either on the left or at the top on most websites. Links to other pages are usually in a different colour to normal text, which makes it less confusing for the user. Plus, the name of the website is always at the top, which tells you what website it is straight away. There is usually a picture underneath the navigation bar too, this convention isnt as important as the others but its commonly used. Links at the bottom of the page are very common on websites, helps users get around to certain pages quicker.
Examples of web conventions
Although this website looks very creative it follows the basic web conventions, like the navigation bar being at the top for easy use around the site, which is underneath the name of the website. It also has the small links at the bottom of the page which all websites have to get around the website.
This website is also very creative, and it does follow alot fo the web conventions. Like the name of the site and logo at the top left corner. There is also the interactive picture in the middle of the page which is seen quite alot in other websites.
Examples of websites that bend or break the conventions
This website does bend some web conventions. For example, the name of the website is underneath the navigation bar. There is no small links at the bottom, its almost like another navigation bar at the bottom of the page.
This website is different to normal, conventional websites. This is because the name of the site is actually in the middle next to the bands logo. This works very well with this site becuase where the name and logo is, it is very eyecatching when the page loads. Also, the navigation bar is situated at the top, but, it is in dull writing and doesnt stand out to the users like a normal navigation bar would.
This website does break alot of conventions. When i first clicked on the page, the only thing that came up was a quote by pablo picasso. It took me a lot of time to get onto his homepage. I clicked the elephant at the bottom. It came up with another quote so i clicked on the elephant again to get to his homepage. It's a good idea which makes people think about the qoutes and why he used them but it was very confusing on how to get to his homepage. His homepage also breaks conventions. Just putting 'Banksy' in the middle of the page and then a small navigation bar on the side does actually look good and is easy to navigate around each page.
