USDA Web Style Guide
Table of Contents
1 Introduction.................................................................................................3
1.1 Style Guide Contents...............................................................................4
2 Informational Web Pages and Sites .............................................................5
2.1 Masthead ..............................................................................................6
2.2 Top Navigation Bar ...............................................................................10
2.3 Left Navigation Column .........................................................................11
2.4 Right Navigation Column .......................................................................13
2.5 Footer.................................................................................................15
2.6 Content Area........................................................................................16
3 Interactive Web Application Pages.............................................................19
3.1 Masthead ............................................................................................20
3.2 Top Navigation Bar ...............................................................................21
3.3 Left Navigation Column .........................................................................22
3.4 Footer.................................................................................................24
3.5 Content Area........................................................................................25
4 Overall Style Guidelines .............................................................................27
4.1 Font....................................................................................................28
4.2 Body Text............................................................................................31
4.3 Color Palettes.......................................................................................32
4.4 Links...................................................................................................38
4.5 Tables and Forms .................................................................................39
4.6 Imagery ..............................................................................................41
4.7 Exception Pages ...................................................................................43
4.8 Error Handling......................................................................................45
4.9 Technical Considerations........................................................................47
5 Templates for Informational Web Pages and Sites.....................................50
5.1 Agency 1 Template ...............................................................................51
5.2 Local Navigation Template .....................................................................54
5.3 Child Window Template .........................................................................56
5.4 Data Table Template .............................................................................58
5.5 User Registration (Form) Template..........................................................60
5.6 Newsroom Template .............................................................................62
5.7 Photo Gallery Template .........................................................................65
5.8 Large Image Template ..........................................................................68
5.9 Data Display Template ..........................................................................69
6 Templates for Interactive Web Application Pages ......................................70
6.1 Interactive Application 1 Template ..........................................................71
6.2 Interactive Application 2 Template ..........................................................72
7 Targeting USDA Audiences.........................................................................73
8 Editorial Content ........................................................................................80
8.1 Crafting Text........................................................................................81
8.2 Strategies for Crafting Text ....................................................................83
8.3 Guidelines for Ensuring Clarity................................................................84
9 Accessibility Guidelines..............................................................................86
10 Usability Guidelines..................................................................................92
11 OMB Guidelines ........................................................................................94
12 Appendix ................................................................................................100