Page-centric

The term 'page-centric' describes a design, system, or approach that prioritizes the individual page or screen as the fundamental unit of interaction and presentation. It emphasizes the sequential flow of information across discrete pages, often found in print media, traditional websites, and presentations. The focus is on content arrangement within the confines of each page, and the navigational structure connecting these pages, as opposed to a continuous, dynamic view. The term underscores the significance of a page’s visual layout, content organization, and user experience in isolation, emphasizing a distinct boundary between pieces of content.

Page-centric meaning with examples

• The museum's website suffered from a rigid, page-centric design, making navigation confusing. Users had to click through numerous pages to find desired information, leading to a poor user experience. Their outdated method didn’t leverage responsive design, creating an unappealing experience for mobile viewers.
• Traditional newspapers provide a quintessential page-centric experience. Each page offers a curated collection of articles, advertisements, and images, requiring users to physically turn pages to consume content. This structure has been gradually adapted for the digital age by content providers.
• Early HTML websites frequently employed a page-centric structure, where links led users between distinct pages, each containing separate content, images, and formatting. These were relatively straightforward, and the only real option with older technology. The shift to single-page applications marked a move away from this paradigm.
• A PowerPoint presentation is inherently page-centric; each slide acts as a self-contained unit of information. The presenter controls the flow between slides, shaping the audience’s engagement. Though still heavily in use, newer presentation software tries to deviate from the norm.
• Software manuals often adopt a page-centric layout, with instructions, diagrams, and examples presented across a series of numbered pages or screens. Navigating the information is done by physically flipping the pages, or clicking to different parts on a display.