Web 2.0: Viget Inspire

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Close-up example of Viget's work

My first reaction to this website is really positive. As everyone has guessed I do love my art and mixing it with digital technology. This website is a prime example of this but doesn't over do it so it becomes a 'busy' website. My favourite part of the website is that it is subtle in it's use of colour and texture.

So far I have found out that Viget are based in Durham, North Carolina. It is a very big agency that is hiding the name of their staff (maybe to come across as one, united unit?) Although their names are generally hidden due to high staff turn over a few names have popped up through blog posts about projects, such as Samantha Warren who has done a site redesign for Choice Hotels Scandinavia. Comparing her designs against the rest of the companies work they work well together. The design is very fresh, minimalistic with simple, complimentary colours. She seems to have been thinking not for her own development but thinking through the mind of what the consumer will want. She is designing for a Scandinavian company so she is looking at practical, Ikea-esque design that is practical.

It is clear that they work tightly as a unit. One of her team members (Jim Basio) has been researching into Nordic design, especially product design. I think this is a good sign. The company uses inspiration from other disciplines so the design doesn't become flat and purely web based.

Additionally I have learnt that their site is expression engine based, which means that flexible, feature-rich content management system is easier to update.

What elements could I bring into my own work?

• Simplicity/ cleanness of design
• Bold, fresh colours
• Take inspiration for other disciplines out side of website design so it doesn't become stagnant
• Research into what the client needs. Design it from their point of view and not go too crazy with my fine art to make it too personal.
  

Ye Old Trip Website Reflection

I've have finished and completely finish the coding for my latest website 'Ye Old Trip.' I have found the coding a lot easier this time around. Although I am really happy that I am more confident with CSS I want to go back to the design stage.

I think I should start designing for larger browsers and on feedback from Brett Russell of LogiWeb I need to think about layout, bold colour schemes in RGB. Also he recommends a cleaner layout, which know looking back at I agree with. I want the website to suggest a sense of history, warmth and pride of Nottingham's oldest pub. Maybe I could introduce warmer reds?

Additionally I need to make the photos and text work together to tell a story of the pub therefore immediately grabbing the audiences attention.

Website design dos and don'ts

I have chosen a mixture of websites that have altered my ideas for my website wire frame and content.

http://www.alleycafe.co.uk/

Although I really like this cafe and think it supplies an alternative to brands such as Starbucks and Costa I personally think that this website is badly designed. The homepage loads up very slowly with an image that I don't think is directly related to the products available at the alley cafe bar. Also the menu bar is in the lower third of the page giving the audience more work. The menu links are also in a similar colour to the background so you aren't attracted to look into more detail about the cafe. If I have learned anything about website design from this website it is to highlight your menu bar and to use an image that is directly related to your product so that the audience doesn't have to search for what it is about.

http://www.costa.co.uk/

This website is a drastic step up from the last. It is clean cut, simple and clearly about coffee and the upcoming festive season. This achieved through a bold central banner. Also the audience are kept entertained by the smoothly changing flash banner (the box on the left hand side) that sums up what Costa is about through a mixture of images.

http://www.coffeerepublic.co.uk/

This is my favourite coffee website so far. I like the idea of having a large image or textured surface to advertise the purpose of the website because people are automatically given an idea of what you are about. Also 'Meal Deal' catches your eye, which gets people thinking that they will save money by coming to Coffee Republic. One of my favourite parts of the homepage is that there is a flash animation at the end of the banner that gives you a direct link to how you can directly get involves with a creative competition.

http://www.musecoffee.co.uk/

Why Did I choose Muse The Coffee Shop?

As soon as I walked in there I felt a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. There was a mixture of people enjoying home made food and drinks at an individually run cafe. I think this is a good combination because it is somewhere where you can go with friends, to contemplate work or takeaway. i also like the fact that it is run by a practicing photographer who is passionate about many creative industries.

How can I improve this website?

Well to start with this is just a one page website that doesn't have any links if you are looking for any extra information. Additionally, the website hasn't been updated because it is going through a re branding. I like the image representing what the cafe is about but I think you need more navigation, more information (menu, opening times, history etc.) I like the idea of including a flash animation to draw in the audience.

Journal Task: Social Networks

What does it look like?

I have chosen the following three website as they are all passions of fine in some shape or form but i haven't been on any of their social networks before. As far as all 3 sites go they are all well organised and easy to use. This is helped by the intense colours that attract the users to different sections. The colours also provide a reflection of what the sites are like e.g. the skydiving one is firey and intense compared to the digital artists website which has more subdued colours due to its thought nature.

I have found that all 3 websites use photos and film in different forms to attract the users and let them know quickly what the site is about, for example the artist website and music festival site use slide shows of pictures and logos. i think this is a a good way of attracting people as the more eye catching the image the longer they will stay on your site.

Is it easy to use?

All three are easy to use as the links are clear and presented near the title so that you don't have to look very far.

How relevant is the content of the site?

http://www.welovefestivals.com is mostly relevant as it suggests festivals, ratings, peoples opinion of it etc. In all all you'd need to know about a festival but some of the pictures are a bit irrelevant as to me they are just random peoples photos of each other. if I was to change anything about the site I would add more about the DJ etc.

http://www.visualprogression.com- I found some of the content surprising. There was a lot on the home page about how to write dissertations and where to find fake ones however that was a small amount of the site. I enjoyed looking at peoples work.

http://skydivernetwork.ning.com. As for this website I found nothing on there very unexpected, it all connected well and led on to more extreme sports.

(http://skydivernetwork.ning.com/)
http://www.visualprogression.com/
http://www.welovefestivals.com/