Urban_Outline

"Good and Bad" Assignment

Good Design features:

Text: The text has good readability. The text is big enough and the type is easy to read and doesn't give the sense that the space is overcrowded. The text itself or the color marries well with the overall design.            

Navigation: I always say that if my Mom can navigate my website, then it is simple enough. If it is too difficult to navigate my photo gallery, this can also turn off any potential clients. 

Links: The links are different colors, but still coordinate with the colors of the webpage.

Graphics: The graphics are elegant and never take away from the main subject of what you are selling on the website.  

           

General Design: When everything is simple and not too overcrowded. Some photo websites have too many words & this can distract from what is most important on the website. I believe that what makes a website most successful is when people are pulled in by any sort of interactive element. 

Good Website Link: http://www.jkhphoto.com/

Notes: The text is big and has easy readability. I really enjoy the text boxes that are used on the homepage. The contact page is very thorough and would be easy to use. The portfolio gallery is very well done and extremely easy to navigate. The photos are well displayed and would be appealing to potential clients. I expect that this photo company makes a lot of money.   

Bad Design features:

Text: The text is too small or the the color makes it too hard for anyone to read. It can also be problematic if the text makes the page too crowded.            

Navigation: The links are not obviously links. The photos (for a photographer's website) should small and the viewer cannot make it bigger in order to view. 

Links: The links are not easily recognizable and no links take you to the home page. The logo is small and unrecognizable. Links don't always work and it is not obvious that a link is for a download of any kind.

Graphics: The graphics are not clean and sharp. The photos and graphics are low resolution and are hard to see. The graphics give the sense that it is misplaced. All graphics don't work well with the space of the website. 

           

General Design: The design of the website is boring to look at and doesn't give a clear understanding of what the website is trying to sell. The navigation isn't easy to use and people get lost in the overall design of the website. There are advertisements for other companies on your website and there isn't an easy way to contact the photographer.

Bad Website Link: http://www.mallickphotography.com/

Notes: The text is boring and doesn't interact and use the space well. The navigation isn't terrible, but the thumbnails are too small & the background is distracting. The graphics are poorly displayed and the general design of the whole website is just awful. His portfolio is far too broad and I think that there is no way that this guy is getting any work from this website.

Week 1 Skills inventory

Name: Kelly Urban

Department/Program: Photography

Are you graduating this Quarter? No.

If not, current graduation date by Quarter/Year: June 2014

Online Social and Professional networks: Facebook, LinkedIn.

Website URL (if already developed): kellyurbanphotos.com

What software experience do you have?

Photoshop: Yes.

Illustrator: No.

Dreamweaver: No.

HTML: No.

InDesign: No.

Other: Microsoft Office.