When designing a website one question that comes up is what content will be displayed in the design? Of course it’s best whenever possible to use actual data in the design. The design will feel more complete and real when the client see it. But what do you do when the client has not supplied content?
Your first thought for placement text might be to put in standard Lorem Ipsum. But standard Lorem Ipsum can look a bit strange to the client, since nowadays not many people speak or read Latin. When I have used standard Lorem Ipsum I have gotten client reactions like “what is this foreign language I’m reading?” I have also found in conference calls that Lorem Ipsum will make it more difficult to describe the different headlines and paragraphs on the page, since everything starts with “Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet…”
An alternative option for placement text is to using an Ipsum that has uses actual English words. It can help make the content seem a little more authentic because it is actually legible. A word of warning though, is to make sure to use a client appropriate Ipsum, for example Samuel L Ipsum might not be for every client!
For placement images it is a little different, because photography can drastically change the way the design looks. If you are planning on using stock images, the photo you place should be what you plan on using or similar. Since the client might be expecting the same image when the site goes live. So it’s important to be aware of your client’s stock image budget.
Need profile photos and titles for a directory page design? Sure there are profile photo generators you could use, but try instead using actual profile photos of the client. It might seem a little stalkerish but find the clients you are working with on LinkedIn and grab their photos and titles from there, you might even learn more about you clients in the process!
Have a social media or blog feed to mock up? I recommend going to the company’s Twitter and Facebook feeds to pick up content from there. If that is not an option try using a blog title generator just enter some keywords and it produces lines of text that will work with your client’s industry.
Whether you decide to use for placement text and images in the content of your designs, be sure it works with your design and doesn’t distract from it. If the “for placement” content makes it to the site development stage, it will have to be removed or replaced with genuine content before go live. Not only could it be extra work, it would be embarrassing mistake if any part of it remains in the live site.
Here are some of my favorite fun Lorem Ipsum alternatives:
- Pirate Ipsum Ye design gunna be jolly!
- Harry Potter Ipsum Accio Ipsum!
- Corporate Ipsum Circle back to leverage Ipsum synergy.
- Ancient Alien Ipsum I’m not saying it was Ipsum, but it was Ipsum.
- Samuel L Ipsum Hold onto your butts!
And some links for placement images and content: