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Obviously I am capable of giving a detailed critique of the Davis
website (for example, the heavy use of hype and little use of
substantive information). To find out what the ug curriculum is, for
example, one must look elsewhere or download a pdf.   But when I find
that a design professional violates even the most elementary rule
(that type should be readable), I feel that they do deserve a public
spanking.
But I didn't think I needed to give a full critique. I wasn't trying
to show off my analytical skills: I was just complaining about a
complete lack of thoughtfulness.

Judging by some of the comments I got, some people on this lost are
remarkably insensitive to making design usable.  Why am I surprised?
Well, I just hoped that this list would be better than that.

making type tiny to increase white space is:

1. silly.

2. Doomed to fail on a website where one has no control over how the
browser will render it.

the notion that it is OK to flout usability findings because, gee, you
can always enlarge the type, is also wrong-headed. The fact that if
the recipient does extra work they can overcome the flaws of poor
design is not a very human- centered design approach: it is a very
self-centered approach.

Finally, the notion that it is OK to use tiny type because, after all,
the advertisement is aimed at young folks is also silly and wrong
headed:

1. The goal is for everyone to read it so that some might recommend
the position to other people.

2. Good eyesight is not a given, no matter what the age. Many people
have vision difficulties, starting at a very early age -- even
pre-teen age years).

3. Decent designers understand the need to follow accessibility
principles which take into account the large number of people in the
world who have difficulties seeing, hearing, etc. This is also called
universal design. Moreover, it is generally true that following good
universal design principles not only helps those with disabilities,
but helps everyone.

It never occurred to me that I would have to spell out these things to
this particular group of readers.

Design education needs to change, starting perhaps by changing the educators.

Don