Web Site Critique #2

Will Howe Creative

Navigation:

Is it easy to navigate or difficult?

It is very easy to navigate through the site

How are you led through the site?

The site opens up with two squares (links) to either his portfolio or his blog. You decide which you would like to view 1st and those buttons take you to each page individually

What visual clues are given to tell you how to interact?

Under each image is a > arrow with the title of the page. Once you jump into his portfolio there are arrows to scroll through his images manually or you can press the play button to run through the images automatically

Does the designer use a metaphors to get you to move through the website?

Yes he does.

What Kind of metaphors are used? Organizational Metaphors = (organized by type, kind etc...); Functional Metaphors = performs a “real world” function (in Photoshop you can figuratively “cut” and “paste”) or Visual Metaphors (common graphic elements familiar to most – the traditional “play”, “fast-forward”, “rewind” buttons found on CD players)

Visual metaphors are heavily used in his portfolio and home page. Arrows are common, but the traditional 'play' and 'pause' buttons that are found on CD players

Information Architecture:

Does the information in the site make sense?

Yes it does

Can you access the content you want easily?

Yes, it is extremely easy

How is the content organized? (By location, alphabet, timeline, category, etc? )

Content is organized by location since you start out with only 2 images on the home site. Once you enter into his portfolio his content is organized by a timeline since it scrolls through the images from 1 to 30

Is there visual and content hierarchy that allows you to easily understand and access the information presented to you?

Well, not really. At the beginning those two images are exactly the same size, they have equal value it is up to you to decide which one interests you first. Once in the portfolio, the main image is lit up while the next one up is darker so you naturally focus on the brighter image for the time being.

Usability

Is this site easy to use?

Yes it is

How do the above two concepts, navigation and information architecture, work in terms of making the site usable or not? Do the metaphors make sense with the content?

The architecture is very simple, yet effective and if there were any doubts the metaphors such as play, pause and arrows lead you through the site effective and usable. The metaphors make sense with the content as much as any arrow or play button do. The content is nothing more than his work, and since it is a slideshow it makes perfect sense.

Overall- does the site sustain your interest and engagement?

Yes it does. I like looking at things, so it was easy to scroll through.

Meaning-Making: (Narrative and Metaphoric Structures

In what way is the designer creating meaning in this site?

There really is not much meaning in the site. It his just his portfolio, which displays his work. He kept the colors and imagery simple so the viewer will focus on the work and not an over the top flashy website.

Are they using metaphor? (Remember, metaphor is very common in our experience with computers, sometimes so common we don’t even realize we are using it, i.e. the desktop, cutting and pasting, file systems, buttons, etc.).

They use buttons for links, and arrows/play/pause to control the slideshow. Is the slideshow a metaphor too?

Is there a narrative, story or event that unfolds over time?

There really is not a narrative, i guess except the story of his work? He is showing you his work over the course of his career.

Is this narrative linear, non-linear, or multi-linear?

If that counts as a narrative i guess it would be linear

Reflection of the User:

Is there a reflection of you, as the user, on this site? Does it change according to your specific visit? Do you receive mouse feedback? text feedback? Does the site store any choices you have made? Are you engaged enough in the site to linger and explore.

Reflection is minimally used. I could only find one instance of reflection, when i first move my mouse over the images in his portfolio the arrow and the play button appear

Transparency of Design:

Does the design of the site lead you to pay more attention to the content or to the design itself?

The design is so subtle that i don't even notice it. I instead focus on the content, his work.

Does the design feel transparent or “natural”, leading you to focus on the content and forget the design completely? Or – Is attention called more to the design itself?

The design feels natural. I don't feel i have to prod and search for ways to lead me around. There is only so much i can do except view his artwork. I really don't even think about the design while im on his site.

Does the transparency or lack of transparency of the design make sense with what the site is intending to do?

Yes it makes perfect sense. Since it is his portfolio he would want the viewer to focus on his work. Now, if he was a great web designer, maybe a tricky cool design would be effective as well, but his design is basic and natural so it does not distract from his work or frustrate the user.