IX. LESSER Architecture

IX. LESSER Architecture
http://www.leeser.com/

Navigation:
“Where should I click” is the first reaction to the main page. Everything seems like clickable; however, they are NOT. The website is not hard to navigate around once people know where can be clicked. Overall the website only have main categories, news, contact, about and products. This is another really different architecture website layout that I had seen so far. There is no clear hierarchy in the website. Because the website is to promote “architecture”; therefore, maybe the highlight should under “project”. “Project” category is list on the bottom of all other selection; give insignificant impression. The website does not have additional navigation and there is not point to have one. Overall the website is really organized within its only graphic design. The “blurry” effect the website creates when switch between category. It is interesting, but do not see the point. It actually make people’s eye hurt and create dizziness and confusion. Not just that the “home” navigation does not exist in this website; the logo is not clickable. When a website does not have “home” category, usually the logo functions as “home” link. In this website “news” is the only way to go back to original page.

Architecture:
The structure and orientation of the website illustrate the creative of the firm as how they are willing to change. From the way the website is structure, people know that the company is not too complicated, but it is well experienced in different type of architecture. In some sense, the website is really straight forward, what you see is what you get. The permanent menu banner allows people to swatch navigation anytime and the consistent layout keep people orientated. There is no additional navigator. There only have small pop out window to show selected project with extra images and project information.

Content / Typography:
The extraordinary typography when compare to other website give people good impression about the company; however, the amount of the detail that is shown on the home page is somehow overwhelming especially when none of the element is clickable. For the field that heavily focusing on creativity and visual effect, this website is really successful in that perspective.

Grid / Structure:
Consistent grid system keeps people on site that is a really good strategy. However, if the website have more information or offer than it look that will be much better. The main menu always located at the same upper right corner and the content covers the rest of the page throughout the whole exploring experience. The clean and comprehensible of the website might lose excitement and weaken the interaction with people; however, the layout and the small pop out of individual project solve the potential issue. Overall the website is really success in emphasis its purpose, promoting an architecture firm by giving clear images for people to understand firm’s style and experience and what the firm capable of.

Iconography / Imagery:
The website is really simple; therefore, there is not a lot of iconography. Seem this is an architecture firm’s website so there is a lot of imagery to help potential client to understand the company and project. Overall the quality of the icon and imagery are too small to the proportion of the page especially when specific project is selected. People will expect to see big image. I believe big image can impress people to create good impression. The icon for people to click to go to next image is not clear. Why cannot people move on to next image by click on the current image? Most odd effect the website has is that when click on the image will actually close the window, which is really not helpful. People won’t know there are more images for the specific project, which mean people will lose their chance to understand the project.

Color Palette:
The pure white background with bright red text is an interesting combination. However, the read is not a perfect color for people to read unless there are a lot of spaces between line; otherwise, the contrast color creates vibration between line. There are a lot of different shades of red; however, the website didn’t take that as a consideration. The whole main menu bar keeps the same shade of red. There is only font size change between the selected category and not selected category. That is not the worst. The worst is the swap image for the categories. The change is really subtle, the font only change to bold and not obvious. Beside the top banner, everything else is acceptable. One more suggestion for the “project” category is that if the viewed project could have different color then its original color, people will able to know what have not been visited.

Site Focus:
The major purpose of the website, promoting the architecture firm, is shown obviously. The simplicity of the website allows people to navigate around easily. On the same time, understand the philosophy and the approach of the company. The publicity and the background and the task of the company are illustrated really precisely and evidently, which might attract some potential clients. There are only few miner graphic of the website should be considered; otherwise, overall is really consistent and well structured.