Online media has definitely changed how the commercial world works. Even the principle of designs has evolved to ensemble the online media. This is due to the different visual context in both print media and online media. According to Kress & Van Leeuwen (2006), the reading process in print-based text is linear and the textual integration is achieved by linguistic means. In online media however, the reading path follows the alphabet F pattern where readers read horizontally first and then scans vertically while moving horizontally downwards (Kress & Van Leeuwen).
Source : www.nytimes.com
Source: www.nytimes.com
The web page is definitely read in a "F" pattern manner or suggested by Nielson (1999), a "N" pattern because readers' focus tend to move around the page a lot. Nielson (1999) states that designs on print media are more likely to be salient and yet complex and much more packed and impact than a web page. As seen in the New York Times printed newspaper, the photograph creates salience where it is more prominent compared to other elements in the newspaper. Also, the newspaper prove that print design is much more intricate, packed and crammed compared to the webpage version where there are more "white" spaces in between elements. Furthermore, Nielson (1999) argues that the print design usually uses bigger images compared to web pages. This can be seen clearly from the two images compared above.
Therefore, while print media uses salience, bigger pictures, linear-based design and is more packed, online media uses less crammed with more "white" spaces, smaller pictures and the "F" or "N" pattern based design.
Kress, G & van Leeuwen, T 2006, “Chapter 6: The meaning of composition”, in Reading images, pp. 175-214.
Nielsen, J 1999, Print vs. web design, 24 January, viewed 10 November 2009
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