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.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
VIII. a+I architecture
VIII. a+I architecture
http://www.aplusi.com/
Navigation:
Most interesting website I had ever seem. There are a lot of interacting between the website and people with a clear understanding of using. It is organized in a really creative way. The first time enter the website, it does not seem like any architecture firm’s website that I had seem. It looks like a website for photo gallery, which also the reason people get attracted and stay with the website. Everything is clearly labeled; therefore, the website is really user friendly. Very well structured website with clear hierarchy! All the categories and sub-categories are list clearly with really organized gridded sample images of projects. Although the impression the website give is new and inexperience, after navigate around will notice that the firm is well experienced and care about their potential client a lot. That is why the website is really easy for everyone to navigate around.
Architecture:
The architecture of the a+I architecture’s website is really well thought out. The structure and orientation are very clear and precise and consistent, which allow people to navigate around easily. In some sense, the overall website seems with elaborate design, which illustrates the precise goal and philosophy of the firm. The website is also really straight forward, what you see is what you get. Two different ways to select project makes the website stronger especially when both option function really well.
Content / Typography:
The impression created by the organization and simplicity of the typography and its interacting with people. Nothing overwhelming, everything appears with just right proportion, giving precise amount at once to give better understanding. The graphic and the layout of the website emphasis how the firm understands the importance of 3d visual effect and creativity in architecture field. The most interesting part of this website is that there is no standard banner as other firm’s website to list out the categories. Only two major contents are shown, which are “sort” and “a+I”. There is nothing I would change to this website. It is really well designed and clearly shows the purpose of it.
Grid / Structure:
This is a very interactive website with consistent structure and grid system after entering any specific categories. The main “sort” and “a+I” icon stay at the same location throughout navigation, which allow people to refer back to the original page to continue searching. However, that also causes problems. The consistent spot of “sort” is somehow also over right on the top of the listed sample images, which allow people to click into to see detail of the project. The consistent location of the search is really strong; therefore, the list of the sample project should be rearranged in different way or different zone of the page. Not as other website, the clean and comprehensible of the website does not lose people’s excitement. Anyhow, the website is clearly promoting an architecture firm in a really creative and interactive way.
Iconography / Imagery:
A very inspired introduction page keeps people interested. All the sample images places as they are photography lay on a table with really realistically view. All the sample images are with consistent size and decent proportion what already give a sense of project. After select any specific project, all the images cover almost the whole page with good quality, which enhance the space and design. Also not all the images are photo some are sketches and plan of the space, which give more life to the project and the firm. There is no confusing about “next” photo. The cursor turns into a cursor with arrow, which allows people to move back and forth between photo. A simple structure website with creative elements helps to keep viewer on the site to create more interaction.
Color Palette:
The black background with contrast white border around each icon and images allows all elements to pop out. Both main icons are highlights with two contrast colors, green and orange. They both are also the most saturated color when compare to other elements. However, that enhances the purpose and importance of both icons. Majority of the texts are in white, which contrast to the black background color and color of images. The texts are also with perfect font size, which clearly shows the purpose.
Site Focus:
The focus of the website is obvious. It is promoting architecture and design in a really creative view. The strongest part of this website is the design of the website. It is design from viewer’s point of view, which make everyone who is on the navigation really comfortable. Also open people’s view about the interconnection between different types of design. The only issue of this well structured website is that the content of each project are not detail enough, which mean I wish there are description about the concept of the project not just the location, size, and date.
http://www.aplusi.com/
Navigation:
Most interesting website I had ever seem. There are a lot of interacting between the website and people with a clear understanding of using. It is organized in a really creative way. The first time enter the website, it does not seem like any architecture firm’s website that I had seem. It looks like a website for photo gallery, which also the reason people get attracted and stay with the website. Everything is clearly labeled; therefore, the website is really user friendly. Very well structured website with clear hierarchy! All the categories and sub-categories are list clearly with really organized gridded sample images of projects. Although the impression the website give is new and inexperience, after navigate around will notice that the firm is well experienced and care about their potential client a lot. That is why the website is really easy for everyone to navigate around.
Architecture:
The architecture of the a+I architecture’s website is really well thought out. The structure and orientation are very clear and precise and consistent, which allow people to navigate around easily. In some sense, the overall website seems with elaborate design, which illustrates the precise goal and philosophy of the firm. The website is also really straight forward, what you see is what you get. Two different ways to select project makes the website stronger especially when both option function really well.
Content / Typography:
The impression created by the organization and simplicity of the typography and its interacting with people. Nothing overwhelming, everything appears with just right proportion, giving precise amount at once to give better understanding. The graphic and the layout of the website emphasis how the firm understands the importance of 3d visual effect and creativity in architecture field. The most interesting part of this website is that there is no standard banner as other firm’s website to list out the categories. Only two major contents are shown, which are “sort” and “a+I”. There is nothing I would change to this website. It is really well designed and clearly shows the purpose of it.
Grid / Structure:
This is a very interactive website with consistent structure and grid system after entering any specific categories. The main “sort” and “a+I” icon stay at the same location throughout navigation, which allow people to refer back to the original page to continue searching. However, that also causes problems. The consistent spot of “sort” is somehow also over right on the top of the listed sample images, which allow people to click into to see detail of the project. The consistent location of the search is really strong; therefore, the list of the sample project should be rearranged in different way or different zone of the page. Not as other website, the clean and comprehensible of the website does not lose people’s excitement. Anyhow, the website is clearly promoting an architecture firm in a really creative and interactive way.
Iconography / Imagery:
A very inspired introduction page keeps people interested. All the sample images places as they are photography lay on a table with really realistically view. All the sample images are with consistent size and decent proportion what already give a sense of project. After select any specific project, all the images cover almost the whole page with good quality, which enhance the space and design. Also not all the images are photo some are sketches and plan of the space, which give more life to the project and the firm. There is no confusing about “next” photo. The cursor turns into a cursor with arrow, which allows people to move back and forth between photo. A simple structure website with creative elements helps to keep viewer on the site to create more interaction.
Color Palette:
The black background with contrast white border around each icon and images allows all elements to pop out. Both main icons are highlights with two contrast colors, green and orange. They both are also the most saturated color when compare to other elements. However, that enhances the purpose and importance of both icons. Majority of the texts are in white, which contrast to the black background color and color of images. The texts are also with perfect font size, which clearly shows the purpose.
Site Focus:
The focus of the website is obvious. It is promoting architecture and design in a really creative view. The strongest part of this website is the design of the website. It is design from viewer’s point of view, which make everyone who is on the navigation really comfortable. Also open people’s view about the interconnection between different types of design. The only issue of this well structured website is that the content of each project are not detail enough, which mean I wish there are description about the concept of the project not just the location, size, and date.
Monday, February 16, 2009
VII. ASYMPTOTE Architecture
VII. ASYMPTOTE Architecture
http://www.asymptote-architecture.com/
Navigation:
“Where should I go?” is the first reaction after get into the main page. It is a complicated website. It takes long time to understand how to navigate around. The way the website start is already really different from other website I had seem. The main navigator is an additional page; therefore, there is no need of the first intro page. The hierarchy of the website is really not clear and not organizes. All the categories are not list in a clear way. They follow the form of the background image. Some title of the category overlaps each other and no list of sub-category when cursor moves close to the main category. The center of each page change consistently, which create additional confusion and dizziness. There is no “home” link for people to go back to the original page to see other choice. However, after click different icon realize that by click on the “x” (close) will allow people to go back to the home page. I think when the website is really complicated; at least the “home” option should be obvious for people in order to continue navigation.
Architecture:
The structure of the website well illustrates the experiences that the company had. The first glance of the site gives modern impression; however, the content is not clear. The small font size and the location of the primary categories are not well thought out during the design process. The categories are not obvious and hard to read and follow and they are not place on the consistent location. People have hard time to find other categories when they are already in one and no clear direction of how to get back to the selection page. However, the “main menu” was designed and place on the left bottom corner, which are really not noticeable. It takes long time to realize there is the option. The whole website is considered as an additional page. The original intro page happen to just an intro page and home page is additional page, which is really unusual.
Content / Typography:
The website seems like having a unique way of organizing the typography, but it is confusing for people who use it as first time. It is not user friendly. Also the font size is way too small, which creates vibration on the text. That loses the purpose of the text because people cannot read. As an architecture firm’s website even though the structure of the website is bad, the visual elements, the images, are still playing an important role. All the images are with decent size that tells the story. I will recommend simplifying the website that will be a good way to keep people on the site.
Grid / Structure:
Although the website is hard to navigate around, the structure and grid system are consistent throughout the navigation. After understand how the website functions, everything seems much easier; however, the complicity still give a bad impression especially for people who are not good with figuring out stuff. The whole website lets people feel it move around all the time; therefore, people tend not to pay attention on element that are not moving. If pay attention people will realize there is a stable “menu” bottom banner. The banner should be a little bigger because it is not noticeable and it loses it purpose.
Iconography / Imagery:
As other architecture firm’s website, all the images are with decent size, which allows people to understand the project. There are a lot of unnecessary icons, which did not help people to navigate. There are too many small size arrows around the same location. Also almost all the information are cramped to the middle of the page; however, there are still a lot of space around. The spaces should be use wisely. Now the context and images are located at center of the page and allows people to see other categories that are behind, but they are not clickable until the mini navigation window is close. That is really confusing.
Color Palette:
Midnight blue is the main color of the website with small white text. Although they are contrast color, it does not work. Somehow the blue still feel really bright, which does not really do what the contrast color supposes to do as to pop out the text. The blue background conflicts with the white text when the text is small and not bold. However, the blue enhance the images.
Site Focus:
Promoting the architecture firm is the major purpose of the website, which is shown evidently with good quality of images. The weakness of the website is the structure and the organization of the website. Even though the website structure stays consistent, the weakness still makes the website less user friendly. The biggest issue is the size of the font and the space between because that make people’s eye hurt and cannot focus on reading the content.
http://www.asymptote-architecture.com/
Navigation:
“Where should I go?” is the first reaction after get into the main page. It is a complicated website. It takes long time to understand how to navigate around. The way the website start is already really different from other website I had seem. The main navigator is an additional page; therefore, there is no need of the first intro page. The hierarchy of the website is really not clear and not organizes. All the categories are not list in a clear way. They follow the form of the background image. Some title of the category overlaps each other and no list of sub-category when cursor moves close to the main category. The center of each page change consistently, which create additional confusion and dizziness. There is no “home” link for people to go back to the original page to see other choice. However, after click different icon realize that by click on the “x” (close) will allow people to go back to the home page. I think when the website is really complicated; at least the “home” option should be obvious for people in order to continue navigation.
Architecture:
The structure of the website well illustrates the experiences that the company had. The first glance of the site gives modern impression; however, the content is not clear. The small font size and the location of the primary categories are not well thought out during the design process. The categories are not obvious and hard to read and follow and they are not place on the consistent location. People have hard time to find other categories when they are already in one and no clear direction of how to get back to the selection page. However, the “main menu” was designed and place on the left bottom corner, which are really not noticeable. It takes long time to realize there is the option. The whole website is considered as an additional page. The original intro page happen to just an intro page and home page is additional page, which is really unusual.
Content / Typography:
The website seems like having a unique way of organizing the typography, but it is confusing for people who use it as first time. It is not user friendly. Also the font size is way too small, which creates vibration on the text. That loses the purpose of the text because people cannot read. As an architecture firm’s website even though the structure of the website is bad, the visual elements, the images, are still playing an important role. All the images are with decent size that tells the story. I will recommend simplifying the website that will be a good way to keep people on the site.
Grid / Structure:
Although the website is hard to navigate around, the structure and grid system are consistent throughout the navigation. After understand how the website functions, everything seems much easier; however, the complicity still give a bad impression especially for people who are not good with figuring out stuff. The whole website lets people feel it move around all the time; therefore, people tend not to pay attention on element that are not moving. If pay attention people will realize there is a stable “menu” bottom banner. The banner should be a little bigger because it is not noticeable and it loses it purpose.
Iconography / Imagery:
As other architecture firm’s website, all the images are with decent size, which allows people to understand the project. There are a lot of unnecessary icons, which did not help people to navigate. There are too many small size arrows around the same location. Also almost all the information are cramped to the middle of the page; however, there are still a lot of space around. The spaces should be use wisely. Now the context and images are located at center of the page and allows people to see other categories that are behind, but they are not clickable until the mini navigation window is close. That is really confusing.
Color Palette:
Midnight blue is the main color of the website with small white text. Although they are contrast color, it does not work. Somehow the blue still feel really bright, which does not really do what the contrast color supposes to do as to pop out the text. The blue background conflicts with the white text when the text is small and not bold. However, the blue enhance the images.
Site Focus:
Promoting the architecture firm is the major purpose of the website, which is shown evidently with good quality of images. The weakness of the website is the structure and the organization of the website. Even though the website structure stays consistent, the weakness still makes the website less user friendly. The biggest issue is the size of the font and the space between because that make people’s eye hurt and cannot focus on reading the content.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)