29th Apr 2011

Appropriate Use of Content Carousels

1. What is a Carousel?

A Carousel is a type of website module that rotates content in a similar manner as a slide show either by user command or timed transitions. These modules have many uses when displaying web content and vary in complexity. Some frequent applications of carousels are featuring blog posts, displaying product/service specifications and benefits or displaying portfolio images. Choosing to add a carousel to a website can create more interactive experiences while reducing vertical scrolling and extra mouse gestures. Designers and online marketers should be conscious of how and when to use carousels for delivering web content to achieve best results.

Other names for a carousel: Content Rotator, Content Slider, Media Block, Image Slideshow, Slideshow, Slider

2. Navigation Elements of a Carousel

The simplest types of carousels are automated, meaning that content rotates in a timed sequence without the user’s interaction. Other interface features such as toggle elements, labels and thumbnails can be added to the automated sequence to achieve more manual controls. If these manual user controls are added, timed transitions can be eliminated and still maintain a carousel’s purpose of displaying multiple pieces of content in a confined space. Combinations of of labels, two toggle elements and using thumbnails or icons are all considerations when making a more usable carousel but should be applied in moderation to avoid complicated navigating for users.

A. Labels
B. Toggle Elements
C. Tab-Style Navigation
D. Thumbnails & Icons

Read more of this article on Content Carousels by clicking here.

21st Apr 2011

89:10:1 + Me

While some sources dispute the exact ratio of Internet creators, contributors and lurkers, you’ll generally find that there is a surprising agreement among researchers that only 1% of web’s population produces the majority of the content we see. I decided to help change this statistic after suffocating from countless bit.ly retweets on my iPhone while tinkering in a Minneapolis café. My lifestream & articles blog was born.

I’ve worked with dozens of organizations and individuals to solve business challenges while embracing emerging technology. For the past five years, I’ve been so involved with the execution and strategy of it all, that I had little time to share my knowledge and experience in online forums. Upon reflecting on these trials and tribulations, I’ve decided to join the knowledge community as a contributor and facilitator of fresh ideas.

Please stay tuned in to read articles and daily chatter straight from me.