Web Design and Production

Design reference blog post

Identify five web designs that together represent a design aesthetic that you wish to explore in your website design.

Web design characteristics that I want to explore in my wed design are:

· The web sites purpose intention;
· Keeping the web design simple is the best way for all users to use and understand the web site;
· If you over-do the site it is too cluttered with information. Also movement pictures may cause the user to miss the message that you are trying to portray;
· The use of easy to read text is very important as not everyone has 20/20 vision. It needs to be easy to read for all users and not discriminate against users such as those who are colour blind, vision impaired and non-confident web users;
· The use of one navigation bar;
· Site information;
· Visual aids;
· Home link on each page so if users get lost or confused it is easy to navigate to the home page;
· Site consistency including repetition of navigation bars and tools in all web links so that the viewer knows where he/she is looking at, also consistency of text layout and colour scheme; and
· Everyone needs to be able to use the site.


Site 1.
http://www.camdenhavenmusicfestival.org.au/events.html

Likes:
· Simplicity of site;
· Consistency of web pages;
· Easy to read and understand;
· Ease of navigation with consistency;
· Identifying site and purpose;
· Useability;
· Layout;
· Simple but affective;
· Not over done (too much information);
· Home link availability; and
· Adaptability to user computer screen size.

Dislikes:
· No search option.

Site 2. http://www.qmusic.com.au/bigsound2009/index.cfm?action=dsp_content&contentID=360

Likes:
· Site simplicity;
· Site content;
· Visual aids such as video of web site intention;
· Site consistency;
· Ease of navigation and usability;
· Site identification on web pages;
· Easy to read;
· Site gives good information and understanding of organisation;
· Home link availability; and
· Consumer computer screen size adaptability.

Dislikes:
· Dual navigation bars; and
· No search option.


Site 3.
http://sxsw.com/home

Likes:
· Site consistency;
· Site navigation and content;
· Informative;
· Search option availability;
· Home link availability;
· One navigation bar;
· Ease of use and to identify;
· Easy to read and comprehend;
· Site purpose;
· Use of visual aids;
· Sponsor recognition; and
· Consumer computer screen size adaptability.

Dislike:
· Amount of text in home page.

Site 4.
http://www.mbas.org.au/index.htm

Likes:
· Site identification;
· Read ability;
· User friendly;
· Site navigation including drop down menus;
· Home navigation;
· Site consistency;
· Site content;
· Search option; and
· Screen size adaptability.

Dislike:
· Dual navigation; and
· Bookmark popup.


Site 5.
http://www.hawaiimusicfestivals.com/


Likes:
· Site consistency including site identification;
· Site information;
· Site and navigation consistency;
· Home link option availability;
· Ease of site comprehension;
· Adequate information; and
· Ease of use.

Dislikes:
· Plain and uninteresting;
· Poor aesthetic appeal; and
· Search option not available.