When you hover over any presentation of code on his website, you’ll notice
that the block expands to the right (probably via jQuery, so it would work in
every browser).
Again, a simple effect, but not just eye candy; it has a purpose. In tutorials,
HTML code is often too long to fit in the highlighter, so the code either
wraps or creates ugly scroll bars. Tanaka’s solution makes the code more
inviting and readable, and it decreases the likelihood of wrapping or scroll
bars.
So whether we’re talking about text links that change color on hover,
buttons that move when clicked, AJAX that creates subtle yet intuitive
effects, we can take a design beyond mere decoration in many ways and
truly enhance its usability.
Branding Makes a Design Usable
If an element contributes to a website’s overall branding, image or
reputation, then it’s safe to say that it contributes to its usability. Properly
planned and executed branding is not superficial or decorative. Carefully
chosen colors and graphic elements create an inviting atmosphere that
leads the user to make easy decisions and helps them interact with
elements smoothly and intuitively.
Look at the screenshot below from 10k Apart: