Intro session...

The first lecture following our long summer break, was a basic intro to the unit and a round up of last year.

As a class we discussed our favourite websites and why they work and don't always work as well..

Some main issues discussed were:

• Scrolling ( to scroll or not to scroll...being a big issue for some with lazy hands.)


• Colour and font (brightness...many of the male race can only function in a dark room and barely see daylight, so a brightly colored website is not easy on the eyes.)


• Layout, including use of images and amount of text used. ( No one wants to read 5000 words on one long page, so the next and previous tool can be applied and used well here.)
  
• Readability issues (again, many issues as above.)


• Hyperlinking (used well and enough? Or used too much?)


• Speed of the site (There are patience limitations.)
  

As far as favourite websites go, I personally only use a limited amount, which mainly include shopping websites, facebook and email. (I'm not the only one though!)

A brief analysis of one of my top fave sites is ASOS, a shopping website. Although discussed in class, I love the layout of this site and personally think it cannot be simpler to use!

• The menu bar is split into sections depending on who is using the site.


• After using the main bar, a side bar is introduced into categories making it simple to choose what you want to shop for.


• After using this side bar, there is more choice! E.g: If i click evening dresses, I instantly get a side bar asking what colour, size and price I want to shop for.


• When clicking a product, the image is clear. I can also view different angles of the product and even a catwalk show.


• The white background and black text used is simple and easy on the eyes. No clutter or bright colours.


• It is fast and has minimal scrolling unless you choose to scroll (E.g: there is a next and previous as well as a 'view all' link which means I can scroll down and view the images on one long page.)