DSDN112: Website Critiques

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 Website One:  http://www.microsoft.com/en-nz/default.aspx
This is a minimalistic website that contains some intriguing and interactive features. The website is sectioned into layers, one after the other that features a different topic as well as a different layout and background. The slideshow at the top of the page is useful for advertising hot topics within Microsoft at present; however the background could extend to the edge of the screen. Also the feature that the user is able to click on each slide within the slide show if they wanted to have another look is a very important feature to have when using slideshow as advertising. The Microsoft logo needs to be bigger so that it is more dominant. Although there are other features around the page that indicate it is a Microsoft website, there needs to be some obvious ownership to the header. The footer is also very long and could be condensed somewhat. However having so much information in the footer is good because it acts as a point of reference where users can find more information in an easier and faster way. The colours used are very good because only several bright colours have been used. This makes it interesting to look at without too much colour to make it confusing. Also there is emphasis on blue which is the theme colour of Microsoft, which further addresses the ownership issue. Overall the website is very fit for the purpose of advertising but also producing information that is relative to both Microsoft and the user. Although there are a few design aspects that could be tweaked, it is a very effective website.


Website Two: http://snagt.net/index.php
This website has a very clean feel to it as it simple and uncluttered. The images have been spread about the page in a way that is interesting to the eye but also makes the eye flow around the page to each point. This is due to good placement of the images. There is a small notepad style box that contains a message from the author; I feel this particular box could be placed better. Considering it is the only written information on the page that contains substance, this should be placed nearer to the top left, not the bottom right, as this is the last area the user looks at. When clicking on tabs within the menu the navigation bar expands to give more detailed information and also more links within the section. This is a good took to use because it widens the options the user is able to undertake. The webpage has been centralized and could be wider. The one problem with the navigation bar on the left hand side is that it makes the web page heavier on one side.
Website Three: http://www.potionfactory.com/
When entering the site it is very interactive and also looks very intriguing. The three different areas have a hover feature that changes the way the box looks and makes you want to click on it. When going further into the website by clicking on each of the different sections, new pages appear that have different themes but appear to have the same or similar layout. Each new page is centralized but this allows the background to be seen and have an effect. The backgrounds on two of the sections are patterned and this creates a sense of fun associated with the product. The headers have a really good size proportion compared to the rest of the page, as do the titles and logos within the headers. The text properties are good because of the amount of spacing used means the eye can focus. Also the use of bold text draws the eye to written information that is particularly important. This website has used text properties really well as the website is very easy to read.
Website Four: http://cargocollective.com/ricardolandim
This website is very image based which must contain a good layout. The layout used on this website is ok, however it does not guide the eye around the page, just horizontally across the screen. The fact the the width of the images are the same in each the vertical rows so that they all match together. If they didn’t the flow across the page would be hard to maintain. The title displaying the name of the person is very hard to read as it is split between horizontal and vertical directions. In my opinion it must be one or the other, especially when there is so much else on the page to look at. This is negative for the owner because his name will not be remembered once the user has left the website. The hover feature changes the colour of the polaroid like boxing from white to grey. A very useful tool when the background is also white because the mouse is hard to see. Considering that the website is made up of pictures, it is effective in being able to display all of them. 
Website Five: http://www.limbus.fr/index.html

This website is very interactive with the mouse. When moving the mouse in any direction on the screen, the circles also move in different ways separate from one another. This is not very functional though as I found out when I hovered over on that a link came up, but when I moved away, the link disappeared. This happened with every coloured circle, and every time the link would disappear. This is very creative in terms of giving the site a lot of interaction, but the execution is not as practical. There is sound affects as well which can get irritating when going over multiple coloured circles. The screen width is across the whole page throughout the entire website, remaining consistent. The background is an off white colour which is nice on the eyes, as it is not as bright but remains very clean looking while contrasting the circular rings. Although the website is actually French, the layout of the text seems very orderly and easy to read due to the alignment of each line. Overall this website is aesthetically pleasing but a few practical things could be worked on to increase the user friendliness of the website.



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I am a designer, currently studying Design Innovation at Victoria University of Wellington. My focus areas are website and mobile media development, interaction design, 3D modelling and animation and audio-visual space. My blog shows my journey through each project as well as my learning experience through university. What do I want to be when I grow up? I have no idea. But I love what I'm learning. Although there have been many bumps along the road in this journey and despite the fact that there are going to be many more, I wouldn't have it any other way.

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