INTERACTIVE DESIGN / EXERCISE 1
Naura / 0356798 / Interactive Spatial Design
GCD60904 / Interactive Design
Weekly Exercises
Week 1 exercise: Web Analysis
- Choose 2 websites inside from the provided links.
- Review each website thoroughly and write a brief report, summarizing your evaluations and findings.
For clarity and focus, I'll be highlighting the strengths, weaknesses, and the recommendations in my analysis.
SITE 01 | Bids for Survival
Purpose and Goals: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
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| Fig 1.1 First look of the website |
The website’s name suggests a campaign focused on health and aging awareness. However, the "About Us" section (which would be more accessible on the homepage) indicates a focus on scientific advancements in human longevity and their societal implications. This contrast points to a potential misalignment between the site’s branding and its actual content, which could lead to confusion. Aligning the name and content would create a more cohesive message and set clearer expectations for the audience.
Visual Design and Layout: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
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| Fig 1.2 Most elements are skewed towards the right side. |
The soft blue and yellow hues against a dark background evoke hope and possibilities in life extension. The rendering-like effect illustrates gradual scientific progress. The design feels very modern and cohesive, with clear typography that reinforces clarity amidst the complexities of aging research. Despite this, the layout feels visually imbalanced, with one side appearing more cluttered than the other.
Therefore, usability could be further improved by consolidating the home button and the website title into a single element that directs users back to the homepage. Additionally, repositioning the exhibition "rooms" to the center of the page would provide a more balanced and visually accessible layout.
Functionality and Usability: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
The website’s functionality is straightforward, with buttons distinguished by shape, color, and hover animations like an arrow appearing next to it or a color change. Overall, interactive elements like videos and animations perform smoothly, with only minor lag that doesn’t hinder the user experience.
Quality and Relevance: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
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| Fig 1.4 No descriptions on one of the murals to understand the context |
The website delivers high-quality, engaging content, immersing visitors in a simulated abandoned hospital to depict a future where hospitals are obsolete due to human longevity. Although English subtitles are available for the German videos, offering additional language options would enhance accessibility. Including brief descriptions for the "sculptures" or "murals" could further guide users in forming their own interpretations.
Performance: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Despite the extensive interactivity and multimedia elements integrated into the site, it still loads quickly on standard PCs and laptops. Additionally, the site is compatible with mobile screens, functioning smoothly on both web and mobile devices. However, the interactive experience on mobile screens differs slightly due to the absence of a hover function. Overall, there are no significant performance issues across browsers.
SITE 02 | Playground
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| Fig 1.6 First look of "Playground" website |
The name suggests that it serves as an e-portfolio or CV for the designer, Ikjunim, showcasing their skills and projects. The term “playground” hints at a creative space where the designer can experiment with new ideas and express their artistic capabilities freely. This aligns with the purpose of an e-portfolio, providing both a professional overview and a space for innovation.
The website employs a minimalist design with the content predominantly centered on the screen. Colors are used strategically to create a vibrant and playful aesthetic, enhancing the interactivity.
The site demonstrates strong functionality by showcasing the developer's skill with transitions and animations. However, the heavy use of animations can be overwhelming, with text being unreadable and some transitions could pose a risk for individuals with epilepsy. Including a trigger warning at the start and providing options to view static forms or pause animations—would better support diverse user preferences and safety.
The animations and transitions demonstrate a unique, experimental approach that challenges traditional web design practices. While they generally enhance the user experience and align with the overall design, some elements serve more as distractions. Providing a rationale for the choice of specific animations or transitions would strengthen the portfolio’s cohesion and intent.
The website performs smoothly with minimal delays and is mobile-compatible. However, the custom cursor lags (refer to Fig 1.7) , and interactions are less fluid on mobile. Further optimization of the animations could improve overall performance.
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