Application Style Guide

style guide header

The Application Styleguide will provide guidelines for use by official University application developers (within ISS, the University and also third party suppliers), to ensure that their applications look and 'feel' as though they belong to the University.

We are currently looking at the HTML structure and CSS for user interface design on the web.

Future versions may address high level concepts such as design and layout principles and practice, or low level ones such as language specific code and libraries: the aim is to create consistency and ease of use for both the user and the developer.

Current Live Version

Version 1.0 is the first and current live version of the style guide, which covers:

  • Application Header
    • User Information: Orientation, Preferences and Accessibility.
    • The University Logo and System Name.
  • Recommendations and stylesheets for the content areas, a range of University colour schemes and layouts.
  • Application Footer
    • Legal Information: Data Protection Statements etc.
    • Support Information: Contacts and System Documentation.

Please join the mailinglist applicationstyleguide@newcastle.ac.uk to obtain the documentation and discuss your needs.

Issues and Bugs

Bugs may be fixed within the current version, or wait untill the next, depending on the nature of the problem.

  • Zooming in IE creates a gap between the CVI bar and top navigation bar
  • If the navigation bar isn't used, the antialiasing on the University Logo isn't good.

Future Issues to Investigate

These are issues that the group plans to investigate, at this stage, this has not been prioritized

  • Widgets, graphics libraries and layouts for common application elements.
  • Login boxes which are consistent and offer help for particular kinds of login.
  • Perceived security and solidity of a user interface.
  • Alternative colour schemes to address different accessibility needs.
  • Reading lists and recommendations for improving usability.
  • Provide a drop shadow for the CVI header bar.
  • Consider standard layouts for paginated content.