Introduction

As an integral part of web design, user experience (UX) is a key element that can make or break any website. To enhance the UX, designers often use various techniques such as creating eye-catching graphics, using intuitive navigation, and ensuring swift page loads. One technique that has been gaining traction in recent years is the hidefocus functionality.

Hidefocus is a term used to describe the process of hiding the default browser focus, which is typically a dotted border or an outline around the currently focused element, such as a link, button, or form element. This technique can vastly improve the UX for people who use keyboard navigation or assistive technology. This article aims to explore the benefits of the hidefocus technique and ways to implement it effectively in web design.

The Importance of Hidefocus in UX

Hidefocus is quite essential in web design because it helps users to focus on the content rather than the interface. When people use keyboard navigation, typically they use the "Tab" key to jump between links, form fields, and other interactive elements. By default, browsers provide a visual cue (the dotted outline) to signify which element has the current focus.

However, this visual cue can be distracting and make it harder for users to focus on the content. For example, if a user navigates to a link using the keyboard and the link is styled with a bold underline (as is commonly done), the dotted outline can overlap with the underline, leading to visual clutter and confusion.

Moreover, for people with visual impairments or other disabilities, such as dyslexia or ADHD, the dotted outline can be hard to perceive, making it harder for them to navigate the website effectively. In such cases, the hidefocus technique can make a significant difference in the user experience.

Benefits of Using Hidefocus in Web Design

1. Improved Accessibility

Hidefocus provides a better accessibility experience for keyboard and assistive technology users as it removes any distracting elements that may hinder navigation through the site.

2. Enhanced User Focus

By hiding the dotted outline or border, users are encouraged to focus on the content itself and not the interface. This makes it easier to navigate the site and reduces cognitive overload.

3. Better Visual Design

Hidefocus allows web designers to focus on the visual design of the site without worrying about the visual clutter of the dotted outline around every clickable element. It allows designers greater creative freedom while still ensuring navigation is accessible and user-friendly.

4. Cross-Browser Compatibility

The hidefocus technique works across different browsers, making it an effective solution for web designers who want a consistent experience for their users.

Implementing Hidefocus in Web Design

The hidefocus technique can be implemented in various ways. Given below are some of the ways to apply it:

1. CSS outline: In CSS, you can use "outline: none;" code to hide the browser focus on elements. However, this approach may negatively impact keyboard navigation because it hinders the user from understanding where their current focus is.

2. Hidden border: Another approach is to replace the browser default focus with a hidden border. This can be done using the "border: none;" CSS property.

3. Accessible Focus Highlight: In this approach, designers use custom focus styles (such as a different background colour or bold font) that provide a better indication of the focus of interactive elements while still maintaining good accessibility standards.

Conclusion

Hidefocus is an essential technique in web design that can significantly improve the user experience for keyboard and assistive technology users. By hiding the default browser focus, users are encouraged to focus on the content itself, making it easier to navigate the site and reducing cognitive overload. In addition, hiding the focus can also help to enhance the visual design of the site while ensuring cross-browser compatibility. By adopting hidefocus in web design, designers can create a website that is accessible, user-focused, and visually appealing.