Facebook: Simply Attractive

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It is incredible to think that the world's leading social media site started merely four years ago in 2004 by a Harvard student for a class project. The creator, Mark Zuckerberg, was completely unaware that his web page, designed to connect classmates, would become the world's most celebrated networking site.In recent years, Facebook has surpassed MySpace and other social networking pages as the number one "Go-To" site worldwide for connecting people; boasting over 150 million active users. This achievement is especially remarkable considering its short lifespan. Despite the availability of other online connection sites, Facebook continues to flourish with an unmatched ability to attract users and an unprecedented growth rate.So, how did a small school project become one of the popular sites worldwide in less than five years? What it is about this site that is so captivating, exciting, usable, inviting and addicting?This fascinating question can be approached, analyzed and answered in a variety of ways with a focus on multiple elements. For this project however, I will focus on one; the attractive structure of Facebook.Please join me for a brief exploration into Facebook's rhetorical structure and it's impact on users.In this analysis of the world's leading social media site, I will explore how facebook provides the public a safe and attractive way of connecting others with its refreshingly simplistic format.

Color: Less is More

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The Blue Effect

One thing is certain...Facebook's color scheme deserves no medal in diversity but something about their blue bias is working. Another contributor to the simplistic style of the networking site is it's choice of one universal color. The cool blue shade keeps the pages plain and inviting with no threat of distracting the eye. Every text tab, every option background, every border is displayed in a cool blue; managing an attractive contrast against the basic white background. The color along with the site's simplistic design all work towards one atmospheric goal; creating that "home" feel that users love. So why blue? Lets just say that the shade wasn't chosen because it was the designer's favorite color...although it may have been since it is a popular choice. This friendly color shade, referred to as "Facebook blue" was carefully picked due to it's reputation as a universally friendly, likable and relaxing color. It's cooling effect on viewers is no secret and Facebook has used it's relaxing charm to provide a calming element to the user pages of millions.

Police Your Networking World

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Every digital community must negotiate the rights of its user’s individual freedoms and establish some collective and protective order. Facebook creates a secure environment for users with a number of privacy options. It's structure is focused on giving the user control, always allowing profile limitations. After joining, when facebookers load any information (videos, profile information, pictures...etc) they are given a choice in who is able to access it. Blocking other users, having a public or private page, album privacy ...etc is only a click away.On Facebook, a person's network is carefully selected and controllable, with no surprises. If someone’s behavior is displeasing to a user or “friend”, the person utilizes the “de-friend” option and the disrupter ceases to exist in the remover’s cyber world. This self-policing process eliminates most potential facebooking trolls sense the site's members are aware of this feature. Facebook's most important function as a social network is connecting people but it executes this connecting power responsibly, always placing security options nearby for users.

Maskless Users

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IDENTITIES ARE NO MYSTERY...








Facebook is cleanly designed with a classy, simple feel to it; a true indication of its Ivy League conception. Besides this simplistic design, one of the most attractive and unique features on the networking site lies in it's upfront nature. Identities are no secret on the site which provides an accountability that encourages orderly conduct. www.facebook.com...an address that is entered in the search engines of computers around the world almost 120 million times a day requires a person's name for an account. No usernames such as “giggles86” or “Xbox4life” reside in the Facebook realm, this profile user clarity is greatly appreciated by users. Identity is a fixed and orderly fact on Facebook which provides a professional, safe atmosphere. The site acts much like an interactive yearbook...you see a person's picture with their name displayed and can click on their homepage to see more about them, write to them, view mutual friends...etc Because of a user's "Friends" list on Facebook, an association with other members is easily discovered. If a user receives a friend request from someone who looks unfamiliar, viewing mutual friends easily puts the person in context of how you know them. This is also a great feature because if you do not know someone, you can dismiss the invitation, confident that they are not part of your established network of friends.

Life is Complicated...This is Simple

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A Design That Whispers…”It’s all about YOU”




The simplicity in design of the world’s leading social media site fascinates me. I originally thought it was incredible that Facebook could be so successful DESPITE its structural simplicity but later realized that it was BECAUSE of this simplicity that the site is so popular. When considering its millions of users and booming success, it would be naive to overlook the site's design as a contributing factor. The communication medium’s classic format is definitely considered an attractive element by users.Facebook is refreshingly simple. The standard white, uncluttered background and themed blue fonts provide an organized, simple and manageable environment. This provides users with a message that they are what is important and will not be dominated by clutter. All artistic design is left up to the author of the page to create. This simplistic web design places all the focus on the author’s information instead of its distracting surrounding elements.



A sample FACEBOOK profile / MySPACE Profile

Once a Facebook resident leaves their homepage nest, the user's profile remains just a click away, regardless of their journey into the world of links, albums, discussion pages...etc The "Profile" tab is always located horizontally at the top of each page along with the "Inbox" "Home" and "Friends" options. Each person’s homepage represents a resting place from online browsing...it's the base the users return to after any activity. With photo albums, personal clips of information, video posts, discussion boards, friend connections...etc, Facebook allows a person's entire identity to be transferred into a virtual world of online pages describing them. These pages are, in a sense, a shrine to individuals and represent their identity to the world; profiles are a place of familiarity to users in a complex digital world. That said, Facebook realizes that an easily accessible homepage is an important feature. The Facebook design seems to tell users that life is hectic enough, and that navigation through their online world should not be. My opinion is that the site does an excellent job of keeping user pages organized and very accessible. Unlike MySpace and other social networking sites, Facebook does not allow users the option of creating dominating elements on their homepage (too many homepage design options in color, pictures, background images...etc) It is like a mother online who forces you to keep your room clean which you appreciate later when you are in it.

The overall genius of Facebook design is in it's keeping it simple theme. People's favorite subject is themselves...so what better way to obtain an emotional appeal from users than to let their profile represent them without distraction.