3 unsuccessful websites:
1. www.leoburnett.com
Upon initial reaction this site is pleasing. Plenty of white space, an interesting and interactive navigation, and some nice golden eggs hidden in some of the links.
However, being someone who just happened to stumble upon the site, and not really needing any information out of it, I find it highly frustrating that I cannot really figure out what they do. I assume that they are some sort of advertising agency, but after clicking through some of their links and reading the blurbs I am still somewhat lost.
I actually left the site within a minute of visiting it because I could not figure out exactly what the point of it was.
2. www.kohls.com
At first glance the site makes me feel claustrophobic. There are two rows of navigation. I understand that there might be a need for them, but immediately it makes me scan them to see if what I'm looking for is in there.
Then we get into the actual content of the page. Although it follows a grid, it still feels cluttered. Between the different colors and sizes of the font I'm not quite sure what to look at first.
Some of the content overlaps. For example, there is a link for accessories in the luggage and backpacks section which makes me wonder why they didn't just combine them in one category like bags?
3. http://digitaurus.com/
This site is just bad all around. It makes horrible use of the white space. Everything is right aligned, but still doesn't seem to have and kind of grid to follow.
You can not tell which is the main navigation and which is not. There are two possibilities (both the column and the row of the blue and white buttons). I would assume it would be the top one since it is closest to the first bit of information.
Most of the links in the top nav bar do not work. Some of the forms in the site do not work. In order to keep going through the site you would have to continually return to the home page, which is where all the navigation is.
The whole site is highly out of date and needs a severe overhauling of everything!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Web Research Pt. 2: Reading
Here are my questions from the reading:
1. When Beaird talks about emerging trends in websites and those that are 'putting content first', what does he mean?
2. What are some factors to consider about your user when designing your site?
3. Why would the term variable fixed width be considered somewhat ironic?
Answers:
1. Putting the content on the far left in the three column set up.
2. They will not always use the site the way you expect them to, they will more than likely merely scan your page looking for what they want, and they are not always as technologically savvy as they would like to think they are.
3.Because the number of colums vary depending on the width of the page. Therefore it is ironic because it acts almost as if it's a fluid design, but then once it hits a certain width the layout of the page varies.
1. When Beaird talks about emerging trends in websites and those that are 'putting content first', what does he mean?
2. What are some factors to consider about your user when designing your site?
3. Why would the term variable fixed width be considered somewhat ironic?
Answers:
1. Putting the content on the far left in the three column set up.
2. They will not always use the site the way you expect them to, they will more than likely merely scan your page looking for what they want, and they are not always as technologically savvy as they would like to think they are.
3.Because the number of colums vary depending on the width of the page. Therefore it is ironic because it acts almost as if it's a fluid design, but then once it hits a certain width the layout of the page varies.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Web Research Pt. 1: Research
3 Successful Websites
1. www.webleeddesign.com
This is the portfolio of designer Bryan Katzel. The site is comprised of one long scrolling page and with the exception of the link to his blog. Everything is self evident, therefore you don't need to take the time to figure anything out other than 'Where do I start?'.
Immediately you will see the navigation at the very top of the page, which is also color coded to correspond with the different sections of the website. There are exactly 5 navigation buttons, which keeps the site within the Rule of 5.
I would not say that the 3 click Rule really applies to this site, simply because everything is one click away. Not too much confusion there!
One features that I really like about it is the fact that the site is highly interactive. There are little hidden goodies in the site that reveal themselves after a 'link' is clicked. This is constantly giving the user feedback, almost like an "ah ha" effect.
The site doesn't strictly adhere to the golden-ratio, or the rule of thirds with the exception of the vertical set-up. Although I would consider this to be something that adds to the creativity of the site, simply because the white space surrounding the content brings your eye to the middle of the page, where all the "action" is happening.
Mainly, for me, the site is highly effective because the more I wander through it the more I want to explore. Although there's not much to explore once you have read and clicked through all the sections, I still find myself clicking on the 'up' buttons and watching the scrolling function on the site.
2. www.flylyf.com
This is a design blog, much like notcot.org, but with a different set-up. Although I'm a huge fan of notcot.org, I find this site much more visually appealing. (I think I'm seeing a trend of liking dark sites that use bright colors!!)
Anyways, as before the navigation is clear and easy to spot. It's is also within the Rule of 5 and color coded specifically for the ease of finding content related posts that you are interested in, or just browsing by category.
The grid sets up a clear hierarchy in the layout. Where my eyes first go to the flylyf logo and navigation bar and then immediately to the posts below.
There's not as much white space in this site's layout, but everything still has a place and has enough room to breathe.
The site also does a good job distinguishing what is it's own content and what is ad related.
3. www.target.com
I'm sure we all know what this site is! I picked it because I wanted to show a website that doesn't necessarily follow all the rules, but also is able to do a good job of not being super overbearing.
As you can clearly see the site does not follow the rule of 5, mostly because it has so much to showcase, and the easiest way, in this case, would be to break it down into the categories shown in black near the top.
There are several other sub-navigational links which are more task oriented than the main goal oriented nav bar. They are in a different color and size which setup a hierarchy among the main navigation and the secondary navigations.
Even though there is a lot of information on the main page, you get of sense of what is where with the use of the grid. Sales and deals are the first thing that catch your eye followed by the categories that have been semi-highlighted to the left of the screen. Then towards the bottom there are more ways to shop according to deals.
Overall the site has an asymmetrical symmetry that is shown by the content blocks on either side of the page.
I would also say that the site follows the 3 click rule simply because I can find everything quickly and easily throught the drop down menus in the nav. Normally I only need about two clicks to find anything when I'm not browsing.
1. www.webleeddesign.com
This is the portfolio of designer Bryan Katzel. The site is comprised of one long scrolling page and with the exception of the link to his blog. Everything is self evident, therefore you don't need to take the time to figure anything out other than 'Where do I start?'.
Immediately you will see the navigation at the very top of the page, which is also color coded to correspond with the different sections of the website. There are exactly 5 navigation buttons, which keeps the site within the Rule of 5.
I would not say that the 3 click Rule really applies to this site, simply because everything is one click away. Not too much confusion there!
One features that I really like about it is the fact that the site is highly interactive. There are little hidden goodies in the site that reveal themselves after a 'link' is clicked. This is constantly giving the user feedback, almost like an "ah ha" effect.
The site doesn't strictly adhere to the golden-ratio, or the rule of thirds with the exception of the vertical set-up. Although I would consider this to be something that adds to the creativity of the site, simply because the white space surrounding the content brings your eye to the middle of the page, where all the "action" is happening.
Mainly, for me, the site is highly effective because the more I wander through it the more I want to explore. Although there's not much to explore once you have read and clicked through all the sections, I still find myself clicking on the 'up' buttons and watching the scrolling function on the site.
2. www.flylyf.com
This is a design blog, much like notcot.org, but with a different set-up. Although I'm a huge fan of notcot.org, I find this site much more visually appealing. (I think I'm seeing a trend of liking dark sites that use bright colors!!)
Anyways, as before the navigation is clear and easy to spot. It's is also within the Rule of 5 and color coded specifically for the ease of finding content related posts that you are interested in, or just browsing by category.
The grid sets up a clear hierarchy in the layout. Where my eyes first go to the flylyf logo and navigation bar and then immediately to the posts below.
There's not as much white space in this site's layout, but everything still has a place and has enough room to breathe.
The site also does a good job distinguishing what is it's own content and what is ad related.
3. www.target.com
I'm sure we all know what this site is! I picked it because I wanted to show a website that doesn't necessarily follow all the rules, but also is able to do a good job of not being super overbearing.
As you can clearly see the site does not follow the rule of 5, mostly because it has so much to showcase, and the easiest way, in this case, would be to break it down into the categories shown in black near the top.
There are several other sub-navigational links which are more task oriented than the main goal oriented nav bar. They are in a different color and size which setup a hierarchy among the main navigation and the secondary navigations.
Even though there is a lot of information on the main page, you get of sense of what is where with the use of the grid. Sales and deals are the first thing that catch your eye followed by the categories that have been semi-highlighted to the left of the screen. Then towards the bottom there are more ways to shop according to deals.
Overall the site has an asymmetrical symmetry that is shown by the content blocks on either side of the page.
I would also say that the site follows the 3 click rule simply because I can find everything quickly and easily throught the drop down menus in the nav. Normally I only need about two clicks to find anything when I'm not browsing.
Web Research Pt. 1: Reading
After completing both reading assignments my questions from the readings are as follows:
1. After completing the reading, what, in your opinion, is the most important component of a good website?
2.a)What two types of symmetry are more likely to be found on a splash page than in an actual page layout?
b)What two types of symmetry are more likely to be found in the page layout?
3. What principle of web design is similar to, if not the same thing as, the Gestalt theory?
Answers:
1. Good communication. You want to be able to get the point of your website across without bombarding the user with unnecessary information. Like the reading states, you want your site to be self evident and not self explanatory.
2. a) bilateral and radial b) symmetrical and horizontal
3. Proximity
1. After completing the reading, what, in your opinion, is the most important component of a good website?
2.a)What two types of symmetry are more likely to be found on a splash page than in an actual page layout?
b)What two types of symmetry are more likely to be found in the page layout?
3. What principle of web design is similar to, if not the same thing as, the Gestalt theory?
Answers:
1. Good communication. You want to be able to get the point of your website across without bombarding the user with unnecessary information. Like the reading states, you want your site to be self evident and not self explanatory.
2. a) bilateral and radial b) symmetrical and horizontal
3. Proximity
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