Website Review Compare & Contrast
First, review each of the following sites:
Choose two of the sites above for in-depth critique and analysis. Write a critique/analysis in which you compare and contrast the two sites. In your critique, you may wish to discuss the following questions:
I chose to critique the following two sites from above:
The two sites both evoked deeper feelings in me rather than just aesthetics and usability. I answered each question to provide a complete synopsis.
- What are the communication objectives of the site? Is there one purpose that is primary?
The two sites have different communications objectives. The Sony pictures ‘Identity’ site is specifically designed to create interest in a single product, the movie ‘Identity’, while the hi-res site has a strange objective that is difficult to define. It is supposed to showcase music, specifically techno and house, and has a disorganized flavor. In contrast the Sony sites objectives are clear and concise from the start, with the added benefit of providing an entertaining interaction experience to enhance and reinforce your purchase decision.
- Who is the target audience for the site? Is there an audience who the site excludes?
The target audience for each similar in that they are both targeting the consumer of entertainment but they are quite different in that, the Sony site is targeting a specific genre of film lovers, the thriller-horror film lover, for a specific film. The target audience must have had some interest in the film to get to this site. The Hi-res site is targeted toward the high intensity dance music lover, and showcases several selections in this music genre. Both seem to be targeted toward the 18-34 year old demographic.
- What is your rationale for believing the communication objectives and audience are what you claim?
The rational is that the Sony pictures URL includes the title of the film and the whole site is dedicated to this film. The Genre is evident with the interactive entertainment experience, while the hi-rez site has the movable slogans on top one of which is “let the beat control your body. The discombobulated arraignment and messed up words tell me that you have got to have a lot of time on your hands and be extremely interested to the subject matter to continue on. It seems like both would appeal to the younger set.
- What is the aesthetic look and feel of the site? Why do you suppose the designer choose this look and feel?
The look and feel of each site is quite different. The Sony site is clean no nonsense and gets to the point of; let us entertain you, while the hi-rez site is discombobulated, in disarray, and looks confusing and mesmerizing at the same time.
- Does the look and feel support the communications objectives? Why or why not?
I think that the Sony site is highly effective in exuding its communications objectives in its look and feel, while the hi-rez site is a bit wacky. It does however seem to get the point across that this genre of music is a bit technical and in disarray at the same time, so in that way it is effective yet ineffective in spoon feeding you like the Sony site. So they appeal to you in different ways.
- Does the site have a theme?
Yes, the theme of the Sony site is “Buy this DVD” while the Hi-rez site’s theme is an invitation to explore chaos and disarray. You are either going to enter and explore, or get off because you are annoyed by its nonsensical disarray and unorganized format. It does have a strange appeal however.
- How do the design elements (composition, use of color, choice of fonts/typographic design, use of graphics and photos, textures, animation, sound, interactivity, video, etc.) function to reveal the themes and objectives of the site?
Both sites use a wide variety of design elements to achieve their objectives. I particularly like the animations and the audio/video content inclusion and diversity in both, while the font styles are appropriate in the Sony site, the hi-rez site contains some textual elements that are rather annoying and difficult to follow. I understand what they are trying to do, but I am not buying its complexity and disarray as “cool” and worth of my attention.
- How are principles of design such as harmony (repetition, consistency, pattern, rhythm, unity); variety (contrast, differentiation, elaboration); balance (symmetrical, asymmetrical, radial); movement (sense of movement, direction, rhythm); dominance (focus and emphasis, sense of hierarchy); and economy (cleanliness, clarity, ease of understanding, purity) applied to reveal the themes and objectives of the site?
The Sony site is very good at using all of the above design elements to make an effective site, while the hi-rez site uses the opposite to get your attention.
A. Sony- Harmony is consistent with pattern rhythm and unity.
B. Hi-rez- Consistent with no harmony, pattern with no rhythm unity with disjointedness.
C. Sony- Variety in the way you can explore. It makes it fun to be on the site.
D. Hi-rez – Variety completely out of context with regard for word splits, font styles and placement of divs.
E. Sony has a terrific sense of movement, direction and rhythm. The patterns let you follow into another world.
F. Hi- rez – has rhythm only in the music. The other stuff is way out of sync.
G. Sony has a great dominance of focus, emphasis and hierarchy. You want to buy the DVD.
H. Hi-rez has a sense of no focus and leads you into nowhere – or somewhere; you just never know which.
I. Sony- Uses the site with great economy.
J. Hi-rez is all over the board and leaves you feeling anxious.
- Are the design elements and principles appropriately applied? Does the design complement (or compete with) the communication objectives? Why or why not?
The Sony site’s design elements are totally applied appropriately while the hi-rez site competes with the communications objective. You are left wondering if you got the message that they were trying to convey.
- How is information structured on the site? What is the site's basic information architecture? How are files and categories organized? Does the site apply a naming convention?
The information on the Sony site is structured in an organized manner and file structure. The hi-rez site is totally strange and not user friendly.
- What is the site's navigational scheme and structure? Is the site easy to navigate? Do you ever get lost or confused? Does the interface present information clearly? Does the interface allow for a logical flow of information?
The Sony site you can pretty much tab wherever you want to go, with some cool surprises, while the hi-rez site is totally disorganized and clicking buttons, takes you to somewhere maybe cool, maybe a waste of time, who knows, just try it and see.
- Can you easily accomplish any tasks that you might want to accomplish on the site? If yes, how did the site make it easy or obvious? If no, what got in your way?
The Sony site has a built in objective with some nice distractions to keep you thinking about the purchase decision. It is a great suite because it tells you your objective and offers it in your face “buy this DVD”. The Hi –rez site, I am still trying to figure out what my objective for being there is. It is just strangely alluring with no real objective.
- What technologies (HTML, Flash, JavaScript, CSS, XML, ASP, PHP, Shockwave, CGI forms, streaming (or progressive downloading) video or audio, etc.) does that site utilize? Does it utilize web technologies effectively?
I think that both sites make use of all of these technologies effectively. You can stream entertainment related materials on both, and they use HTML 5, Flash, and JavaScript etc. Very effectively. However I am still left wondering what I missed on the Hi-rez site.
- Can you discover any incompatibility problems with the site for people using different browsers, platforms, screen sizes, fonts, modem speeds, etc.?
They both seem to accommodate the browser technology, however maybe the browsers are more forgiving in the case of the Hi-rez site. It is hard to say if some of the disarray is not caused by browser malfunction from bad code, or if they meant to do it that way.
- Is there anything unique about the site and sets it apart from other sites and/or competitors? Are there special features that the site employs?
The uniqueness of both sites, although different kinds of uniqueness, sets both sites apart from many other sites. The special features include the graphic interactive adventure on the Sony site and the strangely alluring links that take you to strange and alluring disorganized places on the hi-rez site; a strangely alluring attraction that makes it unique. The audio and video streaming is more mainstream now, but I like that it is included in both sites.
- How do you suppose the site markets itself? Does it do anything to drive traffic to itself (such as viral marketing) and/or provide reasons for return visitors?
I believe that the Sony site is tied to its main site and search engine marketing that guide people toward purchase of the DVD specifically. You need to type ‘Identity’ into the Google search engine. The user knows what they are looking for, or they are led their through a selection of genre title pages and they can click to get to this particular DVD.
- What is your overall impression and assessment of the site? Does the site accomplish its objectives? Can you think of design ideas or solutions that would be interesting or more effective alternatives?
I believe that the Sony site totally accomplishes its objectives in a fun and interactive way; even thou the first portion tells you what to do; buy this DVD. The nice thing about it is you can do more and explore3 in a fun way while you contemplate plunking down your hard earned cash. They keep you on the site giving you reinforcing entertainment while you make your decision, not to move to another site until you buy or not buy. My overall impression was that it was a highly effective and user friendly, and fun site.
I believe that the Hi-rez site was a pile of trash, put together by a pile of loony people who think that you are actually going to wade through their art to get to the nugget in the middle. Either you think it is worth the trip, or you abandon your efforts quick. I don’t know if it accomplishes its objectives because I do not know what the objectives are of the site.
I have no suggestions for design inclusion other than there is a huge amount of unused white space on the Sony site and the Hi-rez site is just beyond repair if it is based on code issues. Scrap it and start over like I did on my final project; three times. I know they meant to do that, but it is fun to think that it was all just a bunch of coding errors that led them to this strangely alluring and disorganized Website. I feel for them because of my own experiences.
