Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Print vs. Online

Print outperforms the monitor screen when it comes to remembering information, according to an article in the August 2005 issue of Psychology & Marketing.

According to the authors, a print ad (persuasive message) and an informative health sheet (non-persuasive message) were recalled significantly better than the same information presented to subjects in an online format. The screen did a little better when the test was of recognition only.

This supports what I have always contended: print is not going away fast. The web is a totally different interface, more of an entertainment or "play" interface compared to print. Although the research used advertisements, the results carry over to information and news design.

I think what it means is that good information design will synergize web and print, using the former for brand-building only, and using print when they have a message they want to get across. They key is that both, used properly, makes the best presentation of your information.

If you want the complete citation for the article, e-mail me.

No comments: