---
title: "Designing for “Web 2.0” audiences"
date: 2006-12-21
description: "$( document ).ready(function() { // Handler for .ready() called. $('#toc').toc({ minimumHeaders: 3, listType: 'ul', showSpeed: 0, headers: '#content h2, #content h3, #content h4, #content h5, #content h6' }); /*..."
canonical_url: https://idratherbewriting.com/2006/12/21/designing-for-web-20-audiences/index.html
---

> For AI agents: a documentation index is available at https://idratherbewriting.com/llms.txt. Markdown versions of all pages are available by appending .md to any page URL.

# Designing for “Web 2.0” audiences

This is an interesting article on [how to design for Web 2.0 audiences](http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-2.0-design-style-guide.cfm#simplicity). While I don't agree with the author's use of the term web 2.0 here (because I don't see how any of the design draws upon the audience's collaboration or participation), the principles the author highlights are worthy of a closer look. Here's a summary of the principles:

1. [Simplicity](http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-2.0-design-style-guide.cfm#simplicity)
2. [Central layout](http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-2.0-design-style-guide.cfm#central-layout)
3. [Fewer columns](http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-2.0-design-style-guide.cfm#fewer-columns)
4. [Separate top section](http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-2.0-design-style-guide.cfm#separate-top-sections)
5. [Solid areas of screen real-estate](http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-2.0-design-style-guide.cfm#solid-areas-of-screen-real-estate)
6. [Simple nav](http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-2.0-design-style-guide.cfm#simple-nav)
7. [Bold logos](http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-2.0-design-style-guide.cfm#bold-logos)
8. [Bigger text](http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-2.0-design-style-guide.cfm#bigger-text)
9. [Bold text introductions](http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-2.0-design-style-guide.cfm#bold-text-introductions)
10. [Strong colours](http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-2.0-design-style-guide.cfm#strong-colours)
11. [Rich surfaces](http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-2.0-design-style-guide.cfm#rich-surfaces)
12. [Gradients](http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-2.0-design-style-guide.cfm#gradients)
13. [Reflections](http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-2.0-design-style-guide.cfm#reflections)
14. [Cute icons](http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-2.0-design-style-guide.cfm#cute-icons)
15. [Star flashes](http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-2.0-design-style-guide.cfm#star-flashes)