It’s All in Your Header

Posted by Sheer Ganor on 01/30/2010 in Graphics | ∞

The Header question is quite a hot potato in web design discussions nowadays. One one hand, there’s no argue on the value of an impressive header. Headers are the first thing website visitors lay their eyes on (unless there’s also an extravagant loading bar). They set the first impression and to a large extent determine the mood of the site.

Since Headers usually have no function other than being pretty, they also provide the web designer with a free spot for creativity, almost entirely independent from usability issues.

On the other hand, the frequent use of over-sized headers is starting to annoy many designers, programmers and site viewers. When the header occupies a third of the page and everything else is pushed downwards, say these critical voices, viewing the site becomes rather annoying, (not to mention dangerous, adds the dude from marketing).

Without taking sides in this heated debates, it’s pretty safe to agree that headers, even very large ones, have their place in web design. They fit especially good with blogs and other content sites that require a lot of scrolling anyway. Their show-off effect can be toned by the actual design, so there’s no need to add unnecessary pizazz to wow the visitors. It’s a question of restraint.

Here are a few examples of headers that work, regardless of their size:

Sister’s Keeper