I was reading through one of the Design Demo reviews by Max Kiesler where he wrote:

Excellent use of color, oversized text, and a well designed map navigator are highlights of the Podbop start page. The interior uses the same high contrast and highly readable layout. [...]

Max’s description of Podbop seems common place for the increasing collection of Web 2.0 site. Let’s forget about AJAX as a common element in Web 2.0 sites for a moment. From a strict visual design perspective, the characteristics that are commonplace among many Web 2.0 sites lead to improved usability. They contributed to clarity, findability and ingestion of information.

Now, that’s not to say all Web 2.0 sites can be characterized by the following elements, but it is fairly common. This trend has become increasingly clear during recent design explorations I’ve been doing for clients. So, what are these common characteristics?

High contrast

High contrast allows users to scan information quickly and easily. This can be achieved with oversized text, clear headings, and contrast between foreground and background are just a few examples. One of the ways we’re seeing this in the Web 2.0 movement is in terms of rich colours like pink, slate blue and tangerine compared to the traditional red, blue, black and yellow.

Big

Big and bold contributes to high contrast. The use of oversized text, we’re talking huge text for things like headings, increases page scanning by creating clear markers throughout long areas of content. This helps users "chunk" information while they’re scanning the page. And as we know, users scan more than they read.

Breathing room

Ever tried to find a computer or software at the Apple store? Pretty fast. The last time I went to CompUSA to find a piece of software, the sales associate didn’t even know where to go. Web 2.0 is like the boutique approach vs. going to the mall. They carry a limited line of product, that’s better quality and doesn’t leave you wondering "Where is the exit? I just want to get out of here." Many of the Web 2.0 sites are giving extra breathing room between their elements rather than cramming everything right next to each other.

Simple

It’s hard to get much simpler than Odeo.

Odeo

Pretty straightforward. They eliminate confusion, reduce frustration and improve usability by having a handful of choices. Finally, a few companies other than Apple have figured out that better products are cleaner, clearer and simpler. Or to put it another way, powerful doesn’t mean complicated and overrun with a laundry list of half-baked features – something that has plagued us for a decade.

What do you think? Are there other common visual design characteristics you’ve noticed in the Web 2.0 movement that contributes to improved usability?