"The web" is a visual medium, but are images and graphics of primary importance in a web site? Can a web site succeed without any graphics? Does a focus on the presentation of the content rather than on the supplemental graphics result in a more usable site--satisfying all the needs and requirements of the user? Some believe the answer is yes--without downloading graphics, users can surf a site more quickly and efficiently.

The opinion that graphics are not needed in web sites is generally met with resistance, however. Web designer Jennifer Fleming argues, "Many designers--those skilled at visually organizing thoughts and ideas, offering clues and guidance, and otherwise interpreting content for users--would disagree [that graphics are irrelevant]" (Fleming, In Defense). Darrell Sano expresses another opinion, "The language of graphics is powerful.... In web applications, good visual design facilitates good communication, allowing usersto access the needed information quickly
and perform the required tasks in the most efficient manner" (Sano 140). Thus, according
to Fleming, Sano, and many other graphic designers, good visual design enhances the user's overall experience.

To explore whether images are necessary components of web sites, web expert Jarred M. Spool conducted a usability study. (7.1) A panel of users searched for information in both graphically dominant and text dominant web sites. The results of his study indicate that there is no evidence to support the fact that images help users retrieve information (Spool 8). Users performed slightly but not significantly better using web sites with few graphics. Thus, according to Spool, he found no evidence that graphics either help or hinder users in finding information.