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Why we don’t use video backgrounds
The release of HTML5 in 2014 introduced a standard way to embed videos directly on a web page, rather than needing to use a plug-in such as Flash. With an easier way to embed videos, using video backgrounds on web…
Standardising the use of Google Maps
Look through the University’s website and you’ll find that there’s a wide variety of map styles being used. With things like map size, marker colour, how marker information is displayed (information window) and many…
Browser wars 2016
We are presented with a plethora of options when it comes to browsers and devices to access the web with, but which ones do the world at large use? Does this make a difference in how we design and build websites? This…
Canva: the design tool for non-designers
Canva is an online graphic design tool that allows users to create their own designs for a variety of purposes, including: social media posts (such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Tumblr) blog images PowerPoint…
What is flat design?
The digital world today is dominated by flat design. But what exactly is flat design? Where did it come from, and is it here to stay? In this post, I break down the ins and outs of flat design according to five useful…
How new design has affected University news
In June 2016 we launched a new homepage that was more focused on external visitors. It introduced the idea of news and events being highlighted on a limited number of ’tiles’. The aim was to selectively promote…
Instagram’s new look
Fans of the gram will have noticed something different recently. Instagram got a new look, including a modernised logo and simplified user interface (UI).
The digital pattern library is platform agnostic
At the University of St Andrews we have a digital framework called the digital pattern library (DPL), which is used to make the University digital presence consistent across the website. We primarily build in…
Why are we making the website responsive?
What is a responsive website? A responsive website is a flexible one that works across all platforms, screen sizes and orientations, and responds to the user’s behaviour (e.g. screen tilting). Fluid, proportion-based…