Splitting the screen into parts is not a new technique. Even in the cinema of the 20th century, this approach was introduced by directors to describe the actions that two heroes perform at the same time. Split Screen Web Design template came to web design in 2015 and is still in trend today. In this article, we will talk about what it is, how it affects the usability of a website, and give examples of using the method.
The parts are not necessarily equal, but usually contrast with each other. Designers use split screens to highlight a specific part, give the user a choice, or make content easier to read. Sometimes split screens are confused with modular grid and block structure, but the approaches differ from each other. If the blocks on the site are usually small, split screens are much larger and take up the entire height of the screen. Let’s take a look at the main reasons why designers choose split screens for a website and give examples.
When is it appropriate to split the screen?
The greatest splitting effect is achieved on sites designed in a minimalist style, because, combined with vertical breaks, free space allows you to better concentrate on the most important blocks. Accordingly, it becomes possible to focus the user’s attention on the most important places.
Apart from these advantages, the benefits of the split-screen go well beyond external beauty. For example, they work very well on landing pages that offer users two alternatives.
Benefits
One of the most important reasons why designers use this variant is a high level of usability – the convenience of a site for users. As a rule, dividing the screen into parts has a lot of advantages for the client – this is the choice, and the features of organizing content, and much more. Let’s consider the main advantages of it from the point of view of usability.
Content perception
If the screen is divided into several parts, it is easier for the user to perceive the information, since the content is organized in such a way that the client sees as much information as possible on the screen. Also, split screen website mostly contrast with each other, so the designer can control the user’s attention and highlight important elements.
Organizing content
The more information you can fit on the main page, the easier it is for the user to make further decisions. In the case of split screen design, the designer can arrange several blocks not in the traditional way from top to bottom, but on one page. You can also split it into a static part with a main block and a dynamic one, where you can select the next section or article.
A huge zone that occupies the entire horizontal plane is still popular – the trend is already noticeably outdated, although in certain cases it is still relevant. But, at the same time, the possibility of using cool images is almost always excluded, and one of the reasons for this is text information. This can be remedied by splitting the screen.
By placing the picture next to the text, we have the opportunity to apply a bolder and more attractive visual, to put much more meaning in it, since we do not have to somehow overlap the elements with each other.
Navigation
Another plus of this variant is user-friendly navigation. Thanks to the large “overview” the client can easily understand where he is. Also, it imply division into clickable elements, so the user knows how to take the next step. (lackawanna.edu)
The user can either go to one of the sections with information, or leave a request using the button. The client does not need to take unnecessary steps to understand how to place an order or find answers to the most popular questions about split screen websites.
Comparison
It is also used by designers to provide the client with multiple options to choose from. So users get the opportunity to compare products with each other, select the desired section of the site or find the necessary information.
For example, you can offer your client two services: for commercial use and personal. By dividing these two sentences into different parts of the screen, you motivate the client to quickly navigate and make the right decision.
If the first examples of design in a similar technique were elementary with symmetrical parts, today they are trying to experiment and come up with more original options. Of course, equal blocks of the screen are still in use, but asymmetric designs, with off-center divisions, are also found.
Adaptability
Another important advantage is the ease of creating a mobile version. Most users use mobile devices as well as computers, so developers should take care of site responsiveness. If with a traditional layout you need to remove some elements, stretch or compress images, change the design of web forms, split screen landing page allows you to simply line up in one line and easily transfer the layout to the mobile version.
Aesthetics
Site design is a visiting card of a resource, the first thing a user pays attention to The decision to stay on the site is made by the client within the first seconds, and the most significant argument is the design – whether the client likes it or not. Creation of a special atmosphere, emotional connection between the resource and the user is one of the main tasks of the designer on search results page.
Since minimalist flat designs are especially popular today, rich colors and typographic elements become crucial and catchy details. Bright shades attract attention and facilitate quick assimilation of information, while high-quality typography makes the message readable and understandable. Together, these design components create an interesting pattern.
With the help of it, designers demonstrate both the external design of the product and the internal component.
How do you know if this solution is right for you?
First, think carefully about whether you need to Split Screen Web Design at all for your site. It looks very beautiful and attractive, and the trend itself is very fashionable, but you cannot make such a decision based only on these arguments. To decide, try answering a few questions:
- Is it worth the extra effort and expense?
- Is your audience so modern that it will correctly perceive the new design, and not alienate it?
- Is there enough space to implement such a layout?
Would you be disadvantaged by the fact that the user’s attention will be divided into two blocks, perhaps it would be safer to focus on one particular element?
Please note that you can switch to such a layout only if you have a positive answer to each of the above questions.