So I'm creating an entirely responsive website, with the aim of using as few media queries and magic numbers as possible. I've found after a number of attempts, that using the content to create the layout is by far the best course of action.
My client requested an image slideshow/carousel to be prominently visible on the homepage, and possibly all main pages. I have created a layout that works and they're happy with it. You can view it here.
Now I have a new challenge, how do I create an eye-catching slideshow, that responds to it's medium, and looks good? Let me expand..
I have few constraints, which is more of a burden than a relief in this case.
- The image must be 400px in height.
- The width can be anything from 300px - 2000px.
- I can create a few layers, depending on their detail, that can be moved by the webpage itself to respond to the screen size.
- The images and design are likely to stay the same for a long time, whilst the text will change fairly often.
So what I'm currently thinking and attempting is:
Use a background image with a direct link to the subject and one or two interesting and relevant clip-art type pictures that can be floated around depending on the screen size.
Then allow the text to position itself, with the help of margins/padding and media queries.
At the time of this edit, I have taken the easy, safe and boring option by using wide, obvious photos.
I am looking for advice on the approach to take when tasked with creating graphics that respond to the medium they're displayed on.
Original questions (not so) relevant to this:
Would a one colour, simple gradient or very smooth background be better than a repeating pattern or one with detail?
How can I create a repeating pattern that works with and is relevant to the subject and design?
If I use a floatable foreground image, do you think it has to look realistic, as in not clip art?
Better topics of consideration:
- From a design point-of-view (I know the technical side), what conditions can I use to decide how to scale the text up/down, and still look good? ie. should the text be no larger than a certain size depending on the width of its container?
- What sort of images are best for a background with a highly varying width? My guess is images that have a single anchor point of interest with some unimportant detail throughout the rest of the image
- What are the most important things to consider regarding the unfixed/floating nature of foreground images and text? (white space, wrapping and anything else?)
Any blog posts, articles or reports relevant to this are welcome and greatly appreciated.