WK5

Good Design

The layout of web pages is an interest that I take since I often browse the web and I consider good layouts to be an important part of a website's interaction with the viewer in expressing messages. This website is called "CWtv.com" and the website involves a collection of TV series from CW TV channel that are displayed for many viewers to enjoy online. One of the things I like about this website is its use of Balance. The first thing the viewer can note is a horizontal-vertical setup of the page. Equilibrium is achieved by placing the objects in certain areas in a horizontal or vertical form. Next, we see Leveling in placing the TV series that are being read in the center of the page. Also, leveling is seen by placing the artistic title at the top-center of the webpage so that the viewer can easily and quickly recognize the page's subject. If a structural map was to be placed on the webpage, one would notice that the advertisements, information and vertical rectangles above the article in the center and to the right of it demonstrate Sharpening in that they are not within the structural map. This is not a bad thing when it is maintaining balance. They are still maintaining a horizontal and vertical relationship with the other objects on the page. The objects placed in these areas are perhaps to emphasize less importance, allowing the viewer to direct their attention more on the center that is relevant and create a sense of hierarchical importance within these areas. This goes next into the subject of Attraction and Grouping. We see this very strongly near the top of the page with the rectangles. Having these rectangles relatively close to one another creates an attraction among them. A similarity is formed through the use of similar shapes, demonstrating that the areas are groups of "TV series" but also creating individuality in the form of a pattern to show that there are several different forms of TV series. The next group is seen on the right of the animated images. This group is meant to organize related advertisements, sponsors, and a link to Facebook page. The information in this group is displayed in a time based pattern from past to future, going from the top to the bottom of the page and is displayed in an organized and understandable form for the viewer.

Bad Design

This is "LingsCARS.com" website and here we can immediately notice a bad sense of design because of all the figures in the page that can confuse the viewer. With so many objects and areas on the page, one would not be able to tell where to look first. There seems to be neither no sense of organization nor a hierarchal order to help guide the viewer on the relevant information, therefore indicating no use of Perception by the designer. This page uses far too much Stress for the viewer. Even though the page might use stress in gaining attention, it would still bring a sense of rejection for the page because of all its confusion. There is just too many images and information for the viewer to handle and be able to navigate the page. This page is the complete opposite of Balance in that it uses no harmony, simplicity, or regularity in presenting its information. If this page is meant to sell products to viewers, this would be unsuccessful in attracting consumers. In order for this page to follow the syntactical guidelines, it should incorporate Balance, Attraction and Grouping to organize all the information and products. In order for a webpage to be successful, it must be able to be understandable, convenient through organization and be easy to use.

Websites sources:

cwtv.com

lingscars.com