Hand out for Presentation – Website Vote

Everything I talked about in my presentation is also here, present on my blog. Here is the hand out I made and I gave one out to everyone who was present.

Typefaces I found:

http://www.carterwongdesign.com

Verdana in size 7.5

I couldn’t identify the other typeface.

http://www.pentagram.com

The typeface used for their logo is Modern No. 20

Arial in size 13.5.

http://www.whynotassociates.com

Helvetica in size 9

Helvetica in size 15

http://www.spin.co.uk

Helvetica in size 10

http://www.ligalux.de

Georgia in size 14.5

Courier in 8.5.

http://www.studio-cuculic.hr

Verdana in size 8.5

http://www.designgruppe-koop.de

Verdana in size 7.5

http://www.nbstudio.co.uk

Helvetica Neue in size 8.5
Helvetica Neue in size 11
Helvetica Neue in size 27
Georgia in size 11
Georgia in size 21

http://www.hat-trickdesign.co.uk

Arial in size 10

I couldn’t identify the other typeface.

http://www.segura-inc.com

Tahoma in size 9

Tahoma in size 10.5

http://www.miltonglaser.com

Arial 12

Arial 9

Arial 15

The tutor suggested we take a vote to see which website we thought the best. As you can see the class voted that Pearlfisher is the best.

The worst website was voted for and it was Jake Tilson.

Sagmeister won the vote for the best designs.

A particularly inspiring design by studio-cuculic.hr

I really like the bright colours and the really interesting designs for the year. It is very eye-catching.

http://www.studio-cuculic.hr/radovi.php?c=3

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_gallery_photo/63.jpg

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_gallery_photo/64.jpg

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_gallery_photo/68.jpg

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_gallery_photo/65.jpg

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_gallery_photo/66.jpg

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_wine_year/1_image.jpg

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_gallery_photo/78.jpg

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_wine_year/2_image.jpg

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_gallery_photo/77.jpg

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_wine_year/7_image.jpg

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_gallery_photo/79.jpg

Third piece of particularly inspiring design by hat-trickdesign.co.uk – Task 4)

4) Now select ONE designer or company that you find particularly inspiring. Choose THREE pieces of design (these might be separate items or three campaigns of linked items) and make analysis of each of these:

• Why do you like it find it inspiring?

I like these pieces because they are bright and eye-catching. I like the colour scheme used because it is very cheery. I like the large-scale ‘G’ and ‘5’. The designs really brighten up the area without being ‘too much’.

• What is the message/purpose of the piece?

My research tells me that these are ‘Environmental graphics and wayfinding scheme’.

http://graphicambient.com/2012/02/17/east-thames-offices-uk/

• Who is the audience and HOW does it hail the audience?

The audience would be anyone who comes to visit the housing association East Thames’ group headquarters in Stratford and anyone who walks by that building. The staff who work there are also the audience.

• In what ways would you say it is innovative (if it is) OR why is it appropriate for this piece to use traditional conventions?

It looks innovative to me because some of the designs are really big and bold like the large ‘G’ and ‘5’. The designs are minimal which makes them look modern.

• Outline the signifiers and how they tell you anything about the signified meaning – look at things like messages, narrative, quality, hailing and anything else that you deduce.

The numbers and letters are symbols so most people will be able to work out what they mean. My research tells me that the brands identity uses sunrises so this is why warm colours have been used.

The cup probably tells us that there is a café near or refreshments are available. I’m not sure what the piece that looks like a rainbow is trying to say. I thought the inspiration was meant to be sun rises, not rainbows.

• Would you say that this designer or design company has a recognisable style – if so describe why this is, or say why this is not the case.

This piece fits in with the design for the Natural History Museum.

Here is some information I found out about the design when I was doing research.

‘East Thames Offices, UK

by Hat-Trick Design
2008

Environmental graphics and wayfinding scheme for housing association East Thames’ group headquarters in Stratford, east London. Based on the Group’s brand identity theme of ‘sunrises’, referencing the sun rising in the east. Using the principles of light, shade and reflection, a simplified circular ‘sun’ shape and a relevant colour palette, we created an innovative system using reflected and transparent sunrise colours.

Creating ‘glowing’ iconography and wayfinding by bouncing colour from the reverse of signs against white walls of the building provided the base for their scheme.

Transparent colour applied to glazing let natural light cast colour throughout the building.

In addition, applied graphics and installations captured the theme of the ‘sun’, including a 2m clock in the public space alongside photography of local sunrises submitted by residents across east London and clients of East Thames to convey an optimistic and hopeful future.’

Article above from: http://graphicambient.com/2012/02/17/east-thames-offices-uk/

http://graphicambient.com/2012/02/17/east-thames-offices-uk/

http://graphicambient.com/2012/02/17/east-thames-offices-uk/

http://graphicambient.com/2012/02/17/east-thames-offices-uk/

http://graphicambient.com/2012/02/17/east-thames-offices-uk/

http://graphicambient.com/2012/02/17/east-thames-offices-uk/

http://graphicambient.com/2012/02/17/east-thames-offices-uk/

http://graphicambient.com/2012/02/17/east-thames-offices-uk/

http://graphicambient.com/2012/02/17/east-thames-offices-uk/

http://graphicambient.com/2012/02/17/east-thames-offices-uk/

http://graphicambient.com/2012/02/17/east-thames-offices-uk/

http://issuu.com/lavita/docs/followme__wayfindingbj

Second piece of particularly inspiring design by hat-trickdesign.co.uk – Task 4)

4) Now select ONE designer or company that you find particularly inspiring. Choose THREE pieces of design (these might be separate items or three campaigns of linked items) and make analysis of each of these:

• Why do you like it find it inspiring?

I liked the strong shape and outline of the design. The photos used inside are bright and eye-catching. Design plus nature equals a very good result.

• What is the message/purpose of the piece?

The ‘N’ is the ‘N’ in the word natural. So this piece of design is a logo and identity for the Natural History Museum.

• Who is the audience and HOW does it hail the audience?

The audience is anyone who visits the Natural History Museum or their website so that will be any student, teacher, tourist or families. I think this design hails the audience quite loudly and confidently. This design is trying to get your attention with a high impact, bright, eye-catching design. This design says ‘Look at nature now!’.

• In what ways would you say it is innovative (if it is) OR why is it appropriate for this piece to use traditional conventions?

Although I’m sure this technique has been used before, for me at least I think this design is innovative. This is because the shape the ‘N’ has taken looks very modern. I like the way the stems have two rounded terminals.

• Outline the signifiers and how they tell you anything about the signified meaning – look at things like messages, narrative, quality, hailing and anything else that you deduce.

This design is a symbol and its meaning will be known by anyone who can read. The images on nature inside the ‘N’ give an idea of what can be seen inside the museum or on the website.

• Would you say that this designer or design company has a recognisable style – if so describe why this is, or say why this is not the case.

This piece fits in with the East Thames Office piece because both have thick typography. The London Eye Clinic piece stands out from the group.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxOwTQDiATg&feature=player_embedded#!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxOwTQDiATg&feature=player_embedded#!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxOwTQDiATg&feature=player_embedded#!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxOwTQDiATg&feature=player_embedded#!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxOwTQDiATg&feature=player_embedded#!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxOwTQDiATg&feature=player_embedded#!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxOwTQDiATg&feature=player_embedded#!

First piece of particularly inspiring design by hat-trickdesign.co.uk – Task 4)

4) Now select ONE designer or company that you find particularly inspiring. Choose THREE pieces of design (these might be separate items or three campaigns of linked items) and make analysis of each of these:

• Why do you like it find it inspiring?

The reasons I find it inspiring will be explained in detail in the answers to the next questions. I have read the questions in advance and I don’t want to repeat myself.

• What is the message/purpose of the piece?

From my research I found out that the design represents each stage of laser eye surgery. Apart from that it is also a very attractive logo/identity for the clinic.

• Who is the audience and HOW does it hail the audience?

 The audience is anyone who is researching or looking in to having laser eye surgery. This type of surgery is expensive so the audience may be people who are well off. I think this piece of design hails in a quiet and knowledgeable manner because there are no loud colours or big flashy shapes.

• In what ways would you say it is innovative (if it is) OR why is it appropriate for this piece to use traditional conventions?

I see this piece as innovative because I haven’t seen anything like this before, apart from in a child’s toy.

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/3/9/2/5/3/2/webimg/462551107_tp.jpg

http://www.retrowow.co.uk/retro_collectibles/60s/spirograph_patterns.jpg

This piece looks simple overall, when you step back and look at it but when you look close you can see how complicated it is. There are so many lines. I like the way and find it inspiring, how a design can be so simple yet so complicated at the same time.

I also really like the way they have used the design in different places, as the pictures below show and it still looks good. I love the way it has been applied to a white wall and all its intricacies can be seen.

• Outline the signifiers and how they tell you anything about the signified meaning – look at things like messages, narrative, quality, hailing and anything else that you deduce.

I think this logo is like a symbol and its meaning has to be learnt. I think once a person has seen it once, whenever they see it again it will jog their memory and they will know it symbolises the London Vision Clinic.

The main signifier for this design is the shape of the eye. I was surprised how well their design emulates the look of an iris.

The signified meaning tells me that this clinic knows and understands how intricate and delicate my eyes are so I should have my surgery with them.

http://www.health-energy-fitness.com/attachments/Image/Classes/Blue_Eye.jpg

• Would you say that this designer or design company has a recognisable style – if so describe why this is, or say why this is not the case.

I would say this piece stands out as not fitting in with the other pieces I looked at. The other two pieces use thick typography so I could argue that they are similar. This design doesn’t use any thick type.

Here is some information I found out about the design.

‘Harley Street-based London Vision Clinic is the UK’s foremost laser eye-surgery clinic, using the latest technology to treat prescription-strength and refractive eye conditions. It challenged Hat-Trick Design to create an identity that reflected the intricate and delicate nature of the surgery. Hat-Trick developed five guilloche ‘eye’ patterns, created using a single icon repeated to form the eye shape. Each icon represented a key stage in the process: screening, service, treatment, results and aftercare.’

and

‘Benchmarks Awards 2009
Category: Pharmaceuticals/Healthcare – programmes
London Vision Clinic by Hat-Trick Design
Shortlisted’

http://awards.designweek.co.uk/benchmarks/2009/category/pharmaceuticals-healthcare/london-vision-clinic/london-vision-clinic.php

http://awards.designweek.co.uk/benchmarks/2009/category/pharmaceuticals-healthcare/london-vision-clinic/london-vision-clinic.php

http://awards.designweek.co.uk/benchmarks/2009/category/pharmaceuticals-healthcare/london-vision-clinic/london-vision-clinic.php

http://awards.designweek.co.uk/dw/2009/category/identity-programmes/london-vision-clinic/london-vision-clinic.php

http://awards.designweek.co.uk/dw/2009/category/identity-programmes/london-vision-clinic/london-vision-clinic.php

http://awards.designweek.co.uk/dw/2009/category/identity-programmes/london-vision-clinic/london-vision-clinic.php

http://awards.designweek.co.uk/benchmarks/2009/category/pharmaceuticals-healthcare/london-vision-clinic/london-vision-clinic.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7pXQE4qo5I&feature=player_embedded

http://www.behance.net/gallery/London-Vision-Clinic-rebrand/264531

http://www.behance.net/gallery/London-Vision-Clinic-rebrand/264531

http://www.behance.net/gallery/London-Vision-Clinic-rebrand/264531

Looking at www.carterwongdesign.com for Task 2)

2) But also try to make more of a semiotic/ideological analysis of the websites too –

• How/ in what ways do these HAIL the audience?

Looking at this paragraph from the website:

‘It’s our only formula. We don’t work to set methods, or produce ‘cookie-cutter’ design. Our work is as different and diverse as our clients and their business needs. We’re right with them throughout the process, an expert hand at every stage: from the development of a brief, to implementation. And with us there’s no jargon; we speak strategically but never incoherently.’

http://www.carterwongdesign.com/how-we-work.php

The designers are hailing people as potential clients. The designers are pointing out the similarities between themselves and potential clients. People are being hailed as equals and are being treated with respect. The website hails the audience as discerning clients.

• What signifiers tell you anything about the way the quality or ethos of the sites?

The type tells us that this team provide a very thorough service. They really want to get inside the brief and then provide a set of original ideas. The images show friendly people and the type that appears when you hover over one of the pictures explains each individuals talents.

http://www.carterwongdesign.com/about/who-we-are/

• What basic assumptions (ideologies) do they make about the viewers/clients and how do you know/deduce this from the signifiers? Also a binary opposites analysis might help here

I think that the basic assumption has been made that the viewer/client is looking for a really thorough, high quality service with the guarantee of a
high quality outcome. It is mainly the type that shows me this. The images give proof that the design team can back up their words with actual outcomes.

The basic assumption is made that the viewer has a product or service that needs a logo or packaging design. The images of logos and packaging outcomes indicate this.

Potential clients can see which companies have trusted this design team. So the design team may assume that their future clients will be big/well-known companies. I see charges are not mentioned on the site. So they assume that their clients will only approach if they are well-funded.

http://www.carterwongdesign.com/

Binary opposites analysis

Bright – Dull

Text – Images

Brief – Outcome

Team – Client

Light – Dark

Expectation – Outcome

High quality – Low quality

Start – Finish

Claim – Proof

Left – Right

Talk – Listen

Idea – Outcome

Poor – Well-funded

www.nbstudio.co.uk – Task 1)

1) What kind/type of website is it (commercial, fan site, informative, helpdesk, forum for art and culture or music etc).

This website showcases the work of a design company called NB. This website is commercial and informative.

This links to who is the website for, who is it directed at? Who might be using it.

This website is directed at any individual/person in business or any companies/community groups who have a product or service that they need some design for.

Students could use this website for research purposes, like myself.

You then need to evaluate it in terms of its function and user group – what will they think of it?

What are the visual aesthetics of the content of the website? What is the immediate ‘feel’ of it? A PMI might help

Plus – I really like the dynamic, fun and interesting home page. It loads these beautiful images (among others) that are really eye-catching.

http://www.nbstudio.co.uk/

Minus – I haven’t seen a minus point yet.

Interesting – These images are really big compared to other sites.

ask WHY it has been designed like this and HOW does it communicate.

Page size/length. Are these beneficial to the site or do they make it difficult?

I didn’t find any problem with the page size and length. The images are quite big. The biggest ones take up two-thirds of my screen. It is only a problem if I want to have two windows open at the same time.

How are images used? PMI but be specific about effectiveness and purpose

Plus – Images used as links that go grey when you hover over them. This adds dynamism.

Interesting – I like the way they’ve used the company logos for their clients.

http://www.nbstudio.co.uk/our-clients/recent-clients

Minus – I can’t really think of any minus points apart from what I’ve already mentioned above.

How is typography used? PMI being specific about:

• Tone of voice of the type
• Choice of typefaces – are they effective for screen use?
• Bulk or lack of type – is it too much, too blocky, too small etc. Say HOW/WHY it works or does not work

Plus – Their tone of voice is confident, business like and reassuring.

‘A dedicated team of ten, we’re hands-on and always here for you.’

http://www.nbstudio.co.uk/how-we-add-value

Minus – I can’t think of any minus points. I suppose some people may want more information but they would be able to request that from the designers.

Interesting – It was interesting that the site contains type that is really big. This is eye-catching and something different and unexpected.

http://www.nbstudio.co.uk/how-we-add-value

The typefaces they use are:

• Helvetica Neue in size 8.5
• Helvetica Neue in size 11
• Helvetica Neue in size 27
• Georgia in size 11
• Georgia in size 21

The type is in black and grey. I’m surprised that Helvetica looks a bit messy on the screen.

Back ground colours and textures? Effective or distracting? How and Why.

The background colours used are black white and grey. It’s nice to see little changes like this.

Does it have gimmicks, animations etc? How and why are they effective or not?

This site didn’t have any gimmicks that I could find.

Is the unity of the website spoiled (or aided) by commercial banners and so on?

There are no commercial banners or adverts which is nice as I’m not distracted.

Navigation – is it easy and straightforward or difficult and frustrating? Describe HOW and WHY this is so. Be specific as this is very important.

The site is split in to news, our clients, case studies, projects, what we do, how we add value and contact. It is logical to break down the material like this so people can find what they want.

There is no problem with the navigation that I could see. As I’ve already said some of the images are quite big but it doesn’t really cause a problem.

How do design elements such as link buttons help the navigation?

This website has these links which I didn’t notice on the other websites.

http://www.nbstudio.co.uk/projects/mothercare-extra-services

This made me think why aren’t the other websites linking to social media sites? Perhaps they don’t need to.

www.designgruppe-koop.de – Task 1)

1) What kind/type of website is it (commercial, fan site, informative, helpdesk, forum for art and culture or music etc).

This website showcases the work of a design company called Designgruppe-koop. This website is commercial and informative.

This links to who is the website for, who is it directed at? Who might be using it.

This website is directed at any individual/person in business or any companies/community groups who have a product or service that they need some design for.

Students could use this website for research purposes, like myself.

You then need to evaluate it in terms of its function and user group – what will they think of it?

What are the visual aesthetics of the content of the website? What is the immediate ‘feel’ of it? A PMI might help

Plus – The home page is quite plain but the cow with wings in a box is interesting.

Minus – I didn’t know where to click first but I’m used to this now. You just have to dive in.

The colour scheme immediately made me think of Easy Jet:

http://www.airliners.net/photo/0715872/L/

Interesting – The home page is different to those I’ve seen before.

http://www.designgruppe-koop.de/

It was interesting to see a cow with wings in a box. Perhaps that is their logo. It’s interesting that on the first page the only place to click is either for contact details or for directions to find them.

ask WHY it has been designed like this and HOW does it communicate.

The site is split in to news, projects, wild growth and insights. There are icons to click on which are contact, home, imprint, login, andreas coop and oekoop. This site seems to have the most sections to pick from out of the sights I have seen so far. This isn’t a problem. This site has a lot of additional information and soul.

Page size/length. Are these beneficial to the site or do they make it difficult?

I didn’t find any problem with the page size and length. The scrolling goes up and down and it hasn’t presented a problem.

How are images used? PMI but be specific about effectiveness and purpose

Plus – See ‘interesting’ for my answer.

Interesting – Apart from the major minus point I’ve detailed below they have used some lovely and totally unexpected images. They talk about the area that surrounds their office. I think its great that they included pictures of these cows that live nearby to their office.

http://www.designgruppe-koop.de/genius/genius_kuh_5.htm

I thought it was hilarious/really sweet that under the section office > team, the teams’ children had been included!

http://www.designgruppe-koop.de/buero/br_team_index.htm

This is Mika and he has his own page which describes him.

http://www.designgruppe-koop.de/buero/br_team_mika.htm

This is Luca and he has his own page which describes him.

http://www.designgruppe-koop.de/buero/br_team_luca.htm

If they are trying to charm their way in to getting new clients, they are doing a great job. These pictures below appear in the section ‘news’. I really think this is a genuine offering as opposed to a cynical PR strategy.

http://www.designgruppe-koop.de/aktuelles/aktuelles_2009.htm

Minus – I am really disappointed with the way in which they have displayed the pictures of their work. The pictures are tiny and it is really difficult to see when compared with some of the other sites. This site uses a grid which is fine but they’ve imprisoned their pictures inside a small cell.

http://www.designgruppe-koop.de/arbeiten/ci_tainoa_8.htm

Here is another example of the frustratingly tiny pictures of their work:

http://www.designgruppe-koop.de/arbeiten/ci_bundschuh_4.htm

How is typography used? PMI being specific about:

• Tone of voice of the type
• Choice of typefaces – are they effective for screen use?
• Bulk or lack of type – is it too much, too blocky, too small etc. Say HOW/WHY it works or does not work

Plus – I really like the friendly tone of voice. I feel like I’m one of the family now. This is the friendliest site I have looked at so far.

Minus – The type is really small. I suppose it could cause some people trouble.

The space allowed for type is bigger than the space given to the image. This seems wrong to me. It’s nice to know about the project but surely not at the expense of seeing the final pieces.

http://www.designgruppe-koop.de/arbeiten/gd_bergaufland_02_1.htm

The news section contains a lot of type but this section is optional so you would only be reading it if you wanted to.

http://www.designgruppe-koop.de/aktuelles/aktuelles_2007.htm

Interesting – The typeface used is Verdana in size 7.5 and it appears in orange, dark grey, light grey and white.

Back ground colours and textures? Effective or distracting? How and Why.

The background isn’t distracting. I don’t personally like the colour scheme very much as I’ve mentioned above.

Does it have gimmicks, animations etc? How and why are they effective or not?

There aren’t any gimmicks that I can find.

Is the unity of the website spoiled (or aided) by commercial banners and so on?

There are no commercial banners or adverts which is nice as I’m not distracted.

Navigation – is it easy and straightforward or difficult and frustrating? Describe HOW and WHY this is so. Be specific as this is very important.

There is no problem with the navigation that I could find. There was only one thing which was annoying which was the use of tiny link buttons to get to the next picture which I don’t personally like.

http://www.designgruppe-koop.de/genius/genius_dorf_1.htm

I found another strange thing which was an area where I could click even though it was just a blank area. I think this may be an unintentional link.

http://www.designgruppe-koop.de/index.htm#

Add any other points or comments not addressed directly by these questions.

This site used icons which not all sites like this do.

http://www.designgruppe-koop.de/arbeiten/grafik_design.htm

www.segura-inc.com – Task 1)

1) What kind/type of website is it (commercial, fan site, informative, helpdesk, forum for art and culture or music etc).

This website showcases the work of a design company called Segura. This website is commercial. The site says that Segura provides ‘Graphic design, print advertising, logos, catalogs, annual reports, brochures, corporate identities, posters and new media’ as well as other things.
http://www.segura-inc.com/about

This links to who is the website for, who is it directed at? Who might be using it.

This website is directed at any individual/person in business or any companies/community groups who have a product or service that they need some design for.

Students could use this website for research purposes, like myself.

You then need to evaluate it in terms of its function and user group – what will they think of it?

What are the visual aesthetics of the content of the website? What is the immediate ‘feel’ of it? A PMI might help

Plus – If you like ‘exploring’ a website I assume you would really like this one. It is colourful and there is a lot to see.

Minus – The feeling of not knowing where to click first on this site is paralysing. There is so much going on, it’s totally overwhelming. I can’t see what the sections are.

http://www.segura-inc.com/

I can see they have used a grid. The grid isn’t helping me at this first stage to understand what it all is.

Interesting – I am interested to know why someone would design their homepage like this. I am interested to know what the different sections are.

ask WHY it has been designed like this and HOW does it communicate.

Page size/length. Are these beneficial to the site or do they make it difficult?

I didn’t find any problem with the page size and length. If I have two windows open at the same time the site takes up two-thirds of my monitor which is a bit annoying.

How are images used? PMI but be specific about effectiveness and purpose

Plus – I like that they used images on their news page. Makes it look interesting and eye-catching.

http://www.segura-inc.com/news

Interesting – It was interesting that small images were used in the first column. I don’t remember seeing this before.

http://www.segura-inc.com/portfolio/categories/8/custom_font

I was really surprised to see these satellite/bird’s-eye style pictures to show where they are located.

http://www.segura-inc.com/about

Minus – I suppose one could criticise the pages for having too many images. The images on the left are there permanently wherever you click. Some people may find them distracting. I don’t really see the point of having the images permanently on the right. I find it distracting and it detracts from the impact of the final designs.

How is typography used? PMI being specific about:

• Tone of voice of the type
• Choice of typefaces – are they effective for screen use?
• Bulk or lack of type – is it too much, too blocky, too small etc. Say HOW/WHY it works or does not work

Plus – The tone of voice is friendly and confident. It is probably a good thing that this site uses only Tahoma in sizes 8.5, 9 and 10.5 as there is already a lot going on. This site doesn’t need a lot of different typefaces. There isn’t too much type which is good.

Minus – The type is quite small which some people may find a problem. I haven’t had a problem.

Interesting – I can’t think of anything interesting about the use of type on this website.

Back ground colours and textures? Effective or distracting? How and Why.

The background colours are white and grey. The grey has a faint pattern. I don’t find it distracting.

Does it have gimmicks, animations etc? How and why are they effective or not?

This site didn’t have any gimmicks that I could find.

Is the unity of the website spoiled (or aided) by commercial banners and so on?

There are no commercial banners or adverts which is nice so I’m not distracted.

Navigation – is it easy and straightforward or difficult and frustrating? Describe HOW and WHY this is so. Be specific as this is very important.

There is no problem with the navigation. Once I realised that there is a little menu that shows me the different sections, it was easy to use.

How do design elements such as link buttons help the navigation?

I was a bit disappointed that there was only this one image to look at for the client Cultura. One useful option this site has is the option to click on the name of the client to see what other designs Segura made for them.

http://www.segura-inc.com/portfolio/44/logo

So I can see that altogether, two sets of design have been made for them. I clicked on the second set.

http://www.segura-inc.com/portfolio/clients/29/cultura

I was happy to see that there were more images to look at in the second set. I zoomed out to 50% here so some of the pictures can be seen.

http://www.segura-inc.com/portfolio/194/stationary

Add any other points or comments not addressed directly by these questions.

I think whoever designed this site thought it was really important to show everything on the home page. I think this is a mistake because it’s so overwhelming. I don’t see the point in having all these different sections squashed on to the page at the same time. I can’t imagine why they thought this was a good idea.

http://www.segura-inc.com/

The other thing that happens when you use a layout/grid like this is that the columns end up being different lengths. By refusing to break out of a grid they have ended up with long lists like this which seem a bit stupid. So much space is being wasted.

http://www.segura-inc.com/portfolio/250/packaging

www.studio-cuculic.hr – Task 1)

1) What kind/type of website is it (commercial, fan site, informative, helpdesk, forum for art and culture or music etc).

This website is commercial.

This links to who is the website for, who is it directed at? Who might be using it.

This website is directed at any person in business or any companies who have a product or service that they need some design for.

Students could use this website for research purposes, like myself.

You then need to evaluate it in terms of its function and user group – what will they think of it?

What are the visual aesthetics of the content of the website? What is the immediate ‘feel’ of it? A PMI might help

Plus – I like the home page which has a colourful mosaic style on it. It looks like a piece of art in itself.

http://www.studio-cuculic.hr/

Minus – I didn’t know where to click first but I’m used to this now. You just have to dive in.

Interesting – The design is really minimal but it’s still really vibrant and soulful.

ask WHY it has been designed like this and HOW does it communicate.

The site is split in to Work, Studio and Contact. Work breaks down in to Identities, Packaging, Posters and Books. There is a list of projects as well. It is logical to break down the material like this so people can find what they want.

Page size/length. Are these beneficial to the site or do they make it difficult?

I didn’t find any problem with the page size and length.

How are images used? PMI but be specific about effectiveness and purpose

Plus – The site is full of images. I liked these ones because it looks like I could reach in to my monitor and pick it up.

http://www.studio-cuculic.hr/radovi.php?ln=en&c=3&ID=110

Interesting – All the designs were interesting.

Minus – The minus point is the way in which I had to navigate through the pictures will I will explain later in the navigation section.

How is typography used? PMI being specific about:

• Tone of voice of the type
• Choice of typefaces – are they effective for screen use?
• Bulk or lack of type – is it too much, too blocky, too small etc. Say HOW/WHY it works or does not work

Plus – The tone of voice is business like and confident. One thing I really liked was at the top of each design it tells you the following:

http://www.studio-cuculic.hr/radovi.php?ln=en&c=1&ID=97

Verdana looks really appealing on this site.

Minus – I can’t really think of any major problems. The type is quite small but this hasn’t proved to be a problem for me apart from when going from one image to the next. I explain this below in the navigation section.

Interesting – This site had its own logo. I don’t know what typeface they used for this. The other typeface they used is Verdana in size 8.5.

Back ground colours and textures? Effective or distracting? How and Why.

The background is white which is effective as can be seen in all three images above.

Does it have gimmicks, animations etc? How and why are they effective or not?

This site has no gimmicks that I can find.

Is the unity of the website spoiled (or aided) by commercial banners and so on?

There are no commercial banners or adverts which is nice as I’m not distracted.

Navigation – is it easy and straightforward or difficult and frustrating? Describe HOW and WHY this is so. Be specific as this is very important.

There is no problem with the navigation apart from the way in which you get to the next picture. You have to click on a tiny number which is really annoying.

http://www.studio-cuculic.hr/radovi.php?ln=en&c=4&ID=37&p=1

Add any other points or comments not addressed directly by these questions.

I wasnt expecting to see an image like this:

http://www.studio-cuculic.hr/radovi.php?ln=en&c=1&ID=48&p=7