In searching for some interactive, yet hopefully functional, websites, these came up:
http://www.hornallanderson.com
Very functional, yet a somewhat unique navigation system. Interactive and interesting, but not distracting or overdone.
http://www.2advanced.com
This was cool. Slightly video game-ish, but highly interactive and entertaining. It functions well, at least in regards to easy navigation, but in terms of doing a good job displaying their portfolio, they could do better.
http://www.freedomoftheseas.com
Almost a bit overdone. Very cool for someone looking to go on the cruise, but you get lost after a while while waiting for the buffering of your virtual tour host, for example.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Interaction
Buckley has created a common problem in web design. Not only is web design often approached with the obvious solution already in mind, but that solution isn't always the best. He talks about how web design should be interactive, engaging, and interesting, using scrollbars and unique menus while still maintaining usability.
In a way it seems to contradict some pieces of the usability article statements. Here Buckley, in creating more interest, has to try not to create a page that takes too long to figure out, or becomes something that takes too much thought. Is there a way to create an interesting web page without being so standardized and predictable? Maybe it just takes more thought on the designers' part, so that the user experience become more exciting. Like a horror show we keep coming back to, we know how it ends, but still love the thrill. Web design should be like that - but less scary.
In a way it seems to contradict some pieces of the usability article statements. Here Buckley, in creating more interest, has to try not to create a page that takes too long to figure out, or becomes something that takes too much thought. Is there a way to create an interesting web page without being so standardized and predictable? Maybe it just takes more thought on the designers' part, so that the user experience become more exciting. Like a horror show we keep coming back to, we know how it ends, but still love the thrill. Web design should be like that - but less scary.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Usability
The article presents some key facts in understanding how websites are used and what should be at the forefront of designers minds when when they are designing them. Not having more general rules besides "don't make me think" is fabulous. It sums up everything - don't have main points of interest be more than two clicks away; don't re-name things so they are unrecognizable; don't have buttons be so obscure that they cease to be buttons; etc.
It is helpful in understanding that users don't always look at everything, but do more scanning and skimming than anything. It is sort of a define your target destination, and find the quickest, most obvious route there. When designing a website, it is more clear after reading the article, how the audience should be targeted, what information should be most accessible, and how it should be navigated. Is the theory that people skim 100% accurate, probably not. There are people who look at a lot of the site content and others who have no problem assuming where buttons are. But for the majority, not making people think is probably the best way to go, and easier to design for anyway.
It is helpful in understanding that users don't always look at everything, but do more scanning and skimming than anything. It is sort of a define your target destination, and find the quickest, most obvious route there. When designing a website, it is more clear after reading the article, how the audience should be targeted, what information should be most accessible, and how it should be navigated. Is the theory that people skim 100% accurate, probably not. There are people who look at a lot of the site content and others who have no problem assuming where buttons are. But for the majority, not making people think is probably the best way to go, and easier to design for anyway.
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