This thread was started by me but should help anyone with questions on whether to make a complex and cool graphic or a simple and to - the - point graphic. Here is an example of 2 graphics - one simple and one complex from my website ( http://stormtopia.com/index.php )

Simple graphic:


More complex/sophisticated:

both complex and simple compositions have their place. It totally depends on the needs of the project at hand. Simplicity is useful for emphasising a simple approach that a company might offer, or modernity, professionalism, clinical and medical services etc.

Well it depends for what purpose you need graphics, but personally I prefer simple ones.

simple one is for your search engine visitor and the complicated is for human visitors, on the fact that you need to please this two kinds of visitors.

There's isn't a reason to make something more complex that it has to be. In the end it comes down to usability. There's a few design philosophies that actually regard simplicity as the better design.

I think simple is better

I love simple designs

You also have to worry about page load and how long people will wait for graphics. Simply is best most of the time.

I always go with looks better. The more complex one looks better in this case! It's easier on my eyes.

design must be simple but graphics must be great.

If you're displaying weather information then the second picture is more accurate and therefore better for the user. To me, it only makes sense to use a simpler image if it's not going to be a major part of your site. Otherwise, you end up conveying less information to whoever is viewing your page. I think it's better to stay simple for page layouts.