Designing for Gender
When it comes to website design, men and women may have very different tastes. Moss et al (2005) found that men preferred straight lines, few colors, and formal language and typeface far more than women did. Moss et al also found that men preferred websites designed by men, and women preferred sites designed by women. However, Moss et al's sample was entirely made of students from the University of Glamorgan (UK). A study by S.J. Simon (2000) suggests that the degree of difference between men's and women's preferences for website design varies by culture. In Simon's study, men and women from "collectivist" cultures (such as Latin America and Asia) showed very little difference between the sexes, whereas men and women from "individualist" cultures (such as North America and Europe) showed much greater difference.
Differences in design preferences may be related to familiarity with the internet. Dholakia et al (2003) point out that women's internet usage varies by culture parallel to per capita income. Simon and Peppas (2005) found that men reported more positive attitudes towards websites in general. However, these attitudes may not reflect on the utility of internet applications; Astleitner amd Steinberg (2005) found that gender effects were insignificant on all aspects of web-based learning.
One of the biggest personality conflicts I've ever encountered at work came about over the design of a party invitation. The woman who designed the first draft wanted to use multiple clip-art images, "Word-Art" and bright colors; I wanted to use plain text and a simple line border. We finally compromised by using black text printed on top of a tropical photo scene, but the fact that we spent a week debating it still cracks me up.
Differences in design preferences may be related to familiarity with the internet. Dholakia et al (2003) point out that women's internet usage varies by culture parallel to per capita income. Simon and Peppas (2005) found that men reported more positive attitudes towards websites in general. However, these attitudes may not reflect on the utility of internet applications; Astleitner amd Steinberg (2005) found that gender effects were insignificant on all aspects of web-based learning.
One of the biggest personality conflicts I've ever encountered at work came about over the design of a party invitation. The woman who designed the first draft wanted to use multiple clip-art images, "Word-Art" and bright colors; I wanted to use plain text and a simple line border. We finally compromised by using black text printed on top of a tropical photo scene, but the fact that we spent a week debating it still cracks me up.