Style Guide
- NOVA Green: #0c6e40
- NOVA Yellow: #ffca27
- Blue: #016bd7
- Gray: #e5e5e5
- Dark Gray: #808080
- Dark Dark Gray: #373737
- Black: #000000
- NOVA Style GuideProvides you with an alphabetical list of official content standards followed by the College that must be adhered to when you publish any official NOVA materials in print or online.
Writing for the Web
- Write content using a user-centered approach. Answer the question: What do the users want to accomplish?
- Communicate content as briefly as possible. Comprehensiveness is not necessarily helpful. Use videos, visuals, or graphics to convey meaning.
- Text-base content should include context for which it will be used (i.e., course, assignment, or skill specific).
- Limit lists to five items.
- Ensure text is typo- and error-free.
- Avoid use of library jargon.
- Provide brief examples.
- Use descriptive link text. Avoid 'click here', etc.
Suggested Reading
- Library Terms That Users UnderstandThis document is intended to help library web developers decide how to label key resources and services in such a way that most users can understand them well enough to make productive choices. It compiles data from usability studies evaluating terminology on library websites, and suggests test methods and best practices for reducing cognitive barriers caused by terminology, and provides an extensive list of resources.
Accessibility
- Provide ALT text for all links and images. See the Springshare training for a walkthrough.
- Avoid using color as the sole means of conveying meaning.
- Render PDFs and other files in an accessible format for screen readers (.docx, accessible PDFs).
- Use headings as structural elements rather than design elements
Formal Guidelines
- ADA Guidance on Web AccessibilityThis guidance describes how state and local governments and businesses open to the public can make sure that their websites are accessible to people with disabilities as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2 is developed through the W3C process in cooperation with individuals and organizations around the world, with a goal of providing a single shared standard for web content accessibility that meets the needs of individuals, organizations, and governments internationally.
- W3C Alt Text Decision TreeThis decision tree describes how to use the alt attribute of the
element in various situations. For some types of images, there are alternative approaches, such as using CSS background images for decorative images or web fonts instead of images of text.
- Web Accessibility in MindAlternative text is a textual substitute for non-text content in web pages. This article is focused on images, but its principles also apply to multimedia and other non-text content.
Suggested Reading
- Writing for the Web by Montgomery CollegePlain language principles and exercises. Written in 2010 but still accurate.
Plain Language Resources
- Federal Plain Language GuidelinesOfficial guidelines for the Plain Writing Act of 2010. Includes guidelines on word choice, organization of information, tone, and web standards.
- HemingwayAppAn online editor which supports the act of simplifying complex language.
- W3C Cognitive Accessibility GuidanceProvides advice on how to better meet the accessibility needs of people with cognitive and learning disabilities.
Consistency & Branding
- Name common navigational tabs or links uniformly from a list of recommended names.
- Use library terminology consistently (ie, use "Research Guide" rather than "LibGuide").
- Adhere to library branding initiatives and web standards for overall navigation and design of individual guides.
- Include for each guide a landing page that tells users what they will find in the guide.