Site Critique/ Project Proposals
Graphic Interface Design
Jeff Olson
September 2, 2010
The sites I viewed were wikipedia.com (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page)and nasa.gov (http://www.nasa.gov/news/index.html)
The site I chose for my critique is http://www.nasa.gov/news/index.html because it is so cool! the sight is successful in my mind because of its imagery, the layout makes it easy to get where you want to go, I love space and the images from the shuttle, the space station and satellite are just breathtaking. the order of the site shows its professionalism and makes it so you can browse with ease and read or look at what interests you.
The site is mostly rectangle windows of complimenting colors they show brilliant images, which ate the focus of the sight clicking on them will show you more about them or the corresponding story they have a header with there different pages a main media window and a twitter update section. they have smaller windows with options that appeal to everybody and display information in an orderly way and have corresponding pictures.
you can navigate the site by clicking on a story, a picture, a drop down menu, (from the pages bar at the top) or click on an Icon and find the story, video, or information you are looking for. The navigation dose change from page to page when you click on an Item of interest it becomes the focus of the page other relating, relevant information or, information that nasa thinks you will be interested in, become smaller but still maintain a presence within the viewing screen. Dominant and standard for all pages are the pages bar, and design remains consistent and constant throughout the majority of the site. It is easy to see from the page headings where you are and how to get back to interests on other pages.
The use of color in this sight is meant to give you the feeling of being in space it as a backdrop is dark , but not hard to read information as it is highlighted in a lighter grey color and easy to interpret. I think the use of smaller windows here instead of one big window lets the viewer believe that nasa is using all of its available space, which is not true, If there where more pertinent stories ideas, and information, (which there probably is) they could show more links by having a standard white background, but it would not be as aesthetically pleasing and its color makes it unique and makes the site more interesting.
motion and texture are seen easily, not through the sight (except for drop down menus, and side pop out menus) but through the movie clips, it definitely makes space look more interesting and appealing.there is not much sound except on some of the news movie clips, but the absence of sound, sort of fits with the space theme they have going, though I must admit it would appeal more to me if when you clicked on a link it would make machine noises or beeps consistent with space or technology noises.
there is a distinct visual hierarchy with relevant and most important information appearing at the top of the site and appearing larger when more important or on display information is available, similar thoughts could be said about the informational Hierarchy also there is a lot of repetition but that is good and helps the site be more cohesive it makes sense when you look at it as a whole and in its applicable parts.
I believe the sites main purpose is for people ( the Public) to get a feel for what nasa is doing how they are spending taxpayer money, and that space is something interesting that anyone can get exited about and want to learn more. they provide provocative information about space that makes you want to be an astronaut, and explore new worlds and the great limitlessness of space. I think they achieved their goals when creating this site. they communicate well through media and through their professional looking site.
possible project ideas
I need a new website for my business, I have a blog but it is not great, we need a website for the graphic art and design website, I would like to create a forum where artists can share there art locally ( students of USU) and residents of cache valley, I would also like to have some interesting pop out/down menus that are unique and really catch peoples attention I was thinking gears or something that spins, in the middle of the site when you scroll over it, just some Ideas.
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