As pointed out on xBlog, (which linked to the Molly Holzschlag’s blog) a recent study conducted by the University of Glamorgan, has found that ” there is no doubt about the strength of men and women’s preference for sites produced by people of their own sex”. While key parts of the study seem pretty obvious to designers (men tend to like angles, women prefer curves, etc.), it is interesting to note the statistics the male/female ratio of corporate Web designers. I was rather surprised that so many designers, were men – especially in companies that sell products focused on a female market (beauty supplies etc.)
Designers and managers of design teams should take note when they approach a new (re)design, as the gender of your target audience is one of the key factors that should shape the design of your site, and overall marketing efforts.