Week 3 Part A: Aesthetics, Design, and Branding
The bad:
The first website I took a look at was Best-electronics-ca.com. This one immediately struck me with problems and that was because of the WALL of text onscreen the entire time from the first click onto the site. There was a big logo in the top corner of the website for the Gaming company Atari as part of their full logo. But the rest of the logo beside the word Atari was in the same font and size as the rest of the page, not standing out at all. There were as well multiple different links scattered all over the page. The wall of text glistens with multiple different colors, highlighted sections, and links, jumbled all together in random order. A Random "click here" button and the top two links on the site to other pages, just lead to other pages filled with even more links. Incredibly overwhelming right from the outset. My first improvement would be to summarize, just cut out all of the unnecessary information of place one link that leads it a summarized version of it. It would help clear up some of the discolored texts. As well, break each link into sections, many of the ones scattered around, are from similar categories, so why not start there. If someone is looking for controllers, add a section of controllers instead of listing them all one by one for example. Just giving the page more negative space would help out significantly, as the page looks incredibly cluttered, maybe even allowing some pictures of the items to go along with the categories would help. Finally, fix the logo, it doesn't stand out at all besides the recognizable "Atari" name, but the words right after that just blend in with the rest of the page.
The second website I looked at was Roverp6cars.com. This one had a different problem from the last one, but still quite similar. That being, I was lost right from the outset. While the last site had a wall of text, this one was a wall of pictures. The dark gray background seems like an afterthought with many of the pictures and text on the website having their own black background with red text. Many of them are not lined up as well. The entire left side is picture links for example break their alignment three times. Many of the underlined text on the screen that one would assume would be links aren't and instead, some of the pictures are. As well, two bars of scrolling text, one is smaller and a bit lower on the page, which advertises their parts and services, while the other is big and the first thing you see on the page that has news headlines. The first improvement I could see is fixing the links on the screen, getting rid of a lot of the pictures as well, and only having significant pictures that are lined up with the text for that service or part would help fix the clunkiness. Using a white background would make the page more inviting as well, and it easier to have the text without the big black blocks right behind them, changing the red text to blue would help make the page more inviting.
The Good:
The first website that I looked at was Pennyjuice.com. My first note was the bright colors, giving the page an almost pre-school feel when first stumbling upon it. I understand that the drink is targeted specifically at children, The text all over the page, while at times feeling a bit disjointed, did get across all of the necessary information quickly. The website looks very grassroots. While the navigation is simple, one page leads to the next, and the first page has the big "Order now" front and center as the first thing you see in bright red. They have their contact information on the final page, mixed with all the order details, a logo right at the top with a number to get in touch with them, and their social media feed at the bottom.
The second website I took a look at was Headhunterhairstyling.com. The colors are nice and calm reminiscent of a salon, with a big logo in the corner and the taskbar being easily understandable and clear as to what each selection is. Right in the center of the first page is the big picture of a hairbrush and links to contact them for services. The page overall is very user-friendly and clear as to what goes where.
In Summary:
What I've seen as what makes a clear and well-designed website is, clear links and pictures, with cool and inviting colors, and well placed on the page. Keeping the text short and concise, and giving only the necessary information to keep the user experience as seamless as possible. Make sure that the page doesn't look or feel cluttered, and make sure the customer or viewer knows where to find anything and everything without getting lost in links, pictures, or text. Overall, the best websites keep everything clean and make sure you know who they are and what they do. While those with poorly designed sites, overwhelm the viewer, or are unclear in their layout or user experience.
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