Monday 7 February 2011

What is design for screen? Website design

Over the last five weeks my research has led me to many websites, a lot are blog based or linked.  I think the purpose of a blog is to engage, inform and also interact almost in 'realtime'.  The best examples of these websites are updated regularly, daily in some cases and have a wide variety of contact not just Graphic Design.  A good example of this is graphic designer Kate Moross 




The home page is very simple and easy to navigate  - Work, play, shop.  I like the white page and plain fonts used as it allows Kates work to speak for itself.  A lot of her work is heavily illustrated with lots of colour.  This website is not only to inform clients about her work, it is also an ongoing portfolio and links to her blog.

Forms website is similar in terms of content however the website is much brighter, promoting their latest work for the rebranding of clothing brand Lettuce.
FormI can't decide whether this is a mistake or not as this sets the scene for the feel of the Agency straight away.  Although this is represenatative of their work, is it not misleading in terms of actually repesenting their client's brand? 


The Design Observer home page in contrast to the simplicity of the websites above is very busy.  It actually put me off wanting to look further as there was too much information.  It felt like the several pages of a magazine all welded together. 


On further investigation I discovered it works like a blog in terms of news is updated regularly and this can be commented on.  I think this type of wbsite would be used by Design professionals and students for information and education.  As such the advanced search button is essential as otherwise a difficult site to navigate.  On reflection I realised actually did dip into an article written by Rick Poyner who had reviewed Reason's to be cheerful..  I had 'stumbled' upon the website by accident via a Google search.

My favourite interactive website, a design agency called Magnetic North has to get another mention here.  On entering the website you faced with a blank white screen which says draw here:












By drawing on the screen different projects that Magnetic North have managed appear:


To see more details of the project the picture is double clicked.  A client can just click a button at the bottom of the screen if they wish to see the latest work or contact Magentic North. Love to know how to create this effect.



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