In order to create a readable, usable website, a designer must take into account three major elements of web design: Information Architecture, Universal Usability, and Information Design. With reference to the Web Style Guide by Patrick J. Lunch and Sarah Horton and lectures by Dr. Kristin Arola, this website works to explain these three elements in terms of what they mean and why they matter in web site design.

Information Architecture refers to the general designs and models required to plan, structure, and assemble a website, including layout, navigation, and aesthetics. Universal Usability, refers to the overall effectiveness of a website's tools and information for performing various tasks. This includes accessibility, user-centered design (UCD), and universal design. Information Design refers to the graphical user interface (GUI), which includes metaphors, images, and concepts to convey meaning and functionality on the site, often through navigation and wayfinding.