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Site Critique // 1

http://www.vectorize.de/index_old.html

Navigation |

Relatively difficult. The site definitely is unconventional in its navigation. The main page has several different links that are placed in no particular hierarchy. Each link taking you to a different section or site entirely. The main site opens in a very small rectangular window and browsing through the work is really not fun. the preview for the images or works are sliver like and really don't make me want to explore the site more.The only visual cues that tell me to interact are the roll over texts.


Information Architecture |

The information in the site makes sense. As far as accessing it, it really isn't as straight forward as it could be. They have used sliver like graphics to represent each piece of work in the portfolio. The content is organized by category. Which is pretty easy to understand. The visual hierarchy used is only found through their use of color.


Usability |

The site has a moderate usability. I'd say once again, it is not clear, which is half of the problem this site faces. It's more of an annoyance. Compositionally the sliver like window is just not settling. I think the navigation really hinders the effectiveness of the information architecture. The metaphors especially don't work well. Sorry but this site doesn't sustain my interest.


Meaning-Making |

I don't think the designer was trying to create any sort of meaning in this site. It just seemed like they wanted to exhibit some of their design techniques. It seems like there might be too many ideas taking place at once. No use of metaphor. No narrative or story or event that unfolds over time.


Reflection of the User |

Like I said before, I was highly discouraged by the navigation and layout of the site, therefore I didn't want to explore the site more. I think the site makes you pay more attention to the design rather than the content. Especially since you can barely see the content.

Site Critique // 2

http://www.thedesignersrepublic.com/



Navigation |

Cake. There was no navigation needed! You aren't lead through the site at all. Its just one page with a box flashing images of their work repeatedly really fast. Seizure like. The only visual clues that tell you to interact are the roll overs, which indicate links to either their email or their archived work. As for visual metaphors, I don't think that they were trying to make any.

Information Architecture |

The information in the site is straight forward. It just comes right at you. All presented in a small area. Content access is simple because there are only 2 links. The organization is also simple. It has the "Like what you see? Well contact us and we'll talk" feel to it. No games, no fancy schamcy ornate things to distract you. The heirarchy is Brand, contact, work. I read the entire site in literally 2 seconds.

Usability |

I love this site for its ease of use. Maybe I'm one of those lazy people who don't like to think, or want any visual stimuli, but I feel like it achieves a great minimal quality to it. I can't say that it kept my interest for long, or was memorable. Mostly due to the fact it was a single color with only 1 flashing graphic element.

Meaning-Making|

I think the meaning behind this site reflects the interest of the group, and maybe their experience. There is no narrative, or story, and I think this plays into the point they wanted to get across. Which is that they are already established and have no need to have to try to win the viewer over.

Reflection of User |

I loved this site. Simple, straight forward, and minimal. The design alone, led me to click on their archived works link. The site definitely makes me pay attention to the content only, because there is nothing else to pay attention to. It's a interesting relationship design and content have in this scenario. You have a completely simple design, yet it is still beautiful, and does not take away from the content. I think this website is one of those extreme examples, where there is almost no design but yet it still looks great. The design is completely transparent. Oh and a plus is that it loaded the quickest out of all the sites I visited.

Site Critique // 3

http://www.happypets.ch/



Navigation |

Cake. Again like the last critique, this site is simple and straight forward. There is a drop down that lets you access all the contents of the site. Upon clicking on the gallery link, a new window opens up with the contents. The contents are as images in a list form with numbers at top to signify pages. The contacts link just pops up a little sticky note in the main window with the information. The cues are the common symbols that are universally known. No metaphors were used to move you through the site.

Information Architecture |

The great thing about this site is that the information is based mostly upon their gallery. It's a visual content experience. The content is accessed easily via the drop down menu and separate window that opens. Content looks to be organized chronologically, starting with the most recent to the oldest. No visual hierarchy, just the universal language of numbers.

Usability |

The site like the previous is simple to use. This one has a couple more links, but overall all information and content is accessed easily. With a site as simple as this one I think that navigation and information architecture are easy to deal with. They work in lieu with how much content there is, and how many categories they want to have. The site sustained my interest through its content. They were not emphasizing the importance of their site, but the quality of their real work.

Meaning-Making|

I think the meaning of this site is to emphasize the importance of their work rather than their website. The minimalist approach to the site directs all your attention towards the content rather than the design.

Reflection of User |

There is no reflection of me in this site other than my views on design. I explained in the last section how the site directs all my attention to their content rather than the design of their site. The site feels transparent in the fact that design almost doesn't exist. If their intentions for the site is what I explained I think that they achieved it well, and it makes complete sense.