Comments on: aiga http://typesites.com/aiga/ Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:24:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Leon P http://typesites.com/aiga/#comment-395 Leon P Sat, 01 Nov 2008 09:49:20 +0000 http://typesites.com/aiga/#comment-395 @Joey: well, the organisation says it wants: <blockquote><cite>to discover it [design], discuss it, understand it, appreciate it, be inspired by it</cite></blockquote> Which would suit a showcase/blog style site (i.e. post a picture/article and invite comments). It also serves some other functions. How about a simple top navbar along the lines of: Home/Showcase/Articles/Publications and Resources/Events/Jobs/About (7 sections is the max, I reckon). Make the search box more prominent — there's a lot on the site, so it'll probably get some use. The home page has too much on it, IMO. Trust readers to click through to information, making sure it's accessible from the home page. Instead of the current design, use a banner to link to an important article/publication/event etc. For example, if AIGA is holding its annual conference and visitors are likely to be interested in that, make it the most prominent thing on the page. Use a sidebar to provide examples of, and links to, other parts of the site (an article excerpt, a showcase graphic, an excerpt from a publication etc.). Once the visitor has clicked through to a particular item, use a breadcrumb or other technique to help establish his/her position within the site structure (e.g. <a href="#" rel="nofollow">Home</a> » <a href="#" rel="nofollow">Articles</a> » Toothbrushes are great). Simple! @Joey: well, the organisation says it wants:

to discover it [design], discuss it, understand it, appreciate it, be inspired by it

Which would suit a showcase/blog style site (i.e. post a picture/article and invite comments). It also serves some other functions. How about a simple top navbar along the lines of: Home/Showcase/Articles/Publications and Resources/Events/Jobs/About (7 sections is the max, I reckon).

Make the search box more prominent — there’s a lot on the site, so it’ll probably get some use.

The home page has too much on it, IMO. Trust readers to click through to information, making sure it’s accessible from the home page.

Instead of the current design, use a banner to link to an important article/publication/event etc. For example, if AIGA is holding its annual conference and visitors are likely to be interested in that, make it the most prominent thing on the page. Use a sidebar to provide examples of, and links to, other parts of the site (an article excerpt, a showcase graphic, an excerpt from a publication etc.).

Once the visitor has clicked through to a particular item, use a breadcrumb or other technique to help establish his/her position within the site structure (e.g. Home » Articles » Toothbrushes are great).

Simple!

]]> By: Joey Pfeifer http://typesites.com/aiga/#comment-393 Joey Pfeifer Sat, 25 Oct 2008 05:22:42 +0000 http://typesites.com/aiga/#comment-393 I can understand how some might think it's too busy. In fact I don't necessarily disagree... but I still think it is appropriate for the website. There is/was obviously a ton of content that needed to be organized when it was originally designed, so I'm curious as to ways in which you guys might improve upon the current site. @<a href="http://typesites.com/aiga/#comment-385" rel="nofollow">Leon</a>: I have a serious case of indecision when it comes to designing my own sites, so that has certainly got in the way along with school and work taking up most of my time. But I am working on it! I can understand how some might think it’s too busy. In fact I don’t necessarily disagree… but I still think it is appropriate for the website. There is/was obviously a ton of content that needed to be organized when it was originally designed, so I’m curious as to ways in which you guys might improve upon the current site.

@Leon: I have a serious case of indecision when it comes to designing my own sites, so that has certainly got in the way along with school and work taking up most of my time. But I am working on it!

]]> By: Tor http://typesites.com/aiga/#comment-392 Tor Wed, 22 Oct 2008 05:46:15 +0000 http://typesites.com/aiga/#comment-392 I have to agree with Andy too, the site is to hectic. I don't see how using seven different styles on the front page is a good thing. I have to agree with Andy too, the site is to hectic. I don’t see how using seven different styles on the front page is a good thing.

]]> By: Leon Paternoster http://typesites.com/aiga/#comment-385 Leon Paternoster Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:23:30 +0000 http://typesites.com/aiga/#comment-385 I love JSM's work and his writing is superb too. But for me, this is a mess. There are too many things competing for my attention - <em>two</em> navbars, an ad, some intro text, a banner, a logo and a link to an archive entry all in the top part of the page. As ever, the heading/meta info is superbly handled, but there's too much variation; for some reason, the events section looks like a google text ad. The organisation I work for is currently using random content on the home page. I personally think it's a cop out: it abrogates our editorial duties. Any chance of seeing your blog up and running, Joey? It looked quite promising. I love JSM’s work and his writing is superb too. But for me, this is a mess. There are too many things competing for my attention - two navbars, an ad, some intro text, a banner, a logo and a link to an archive entry all in the top part of the page.

As ever, the heading/meta info is superbly handled, but there’s too much variation; for some reason, the events section looks like a google text ad.

The organisation I work for is currently using random content on the home page. I personally think it’s a cop out: it abrogates our editorial duties.

Any chance of seeing your blog up and running, Joey? It looked quite promising.

]]> By: Guido http://typesites.com/aiga/#comment-384 Guido Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:08:02 +0000 http://typesites.com/aiga/#comment-384 hm.. the random header isn't working here and in my opinion it's kind of hectic.. the 6 gridded design is a nice idea but I wouldn't see it if you didn't told me :) hm.. the random header isn’t working here and in my opinion it’s kind of hectic.. the 6 gridded design is a nice idea but I wouldn’t see it if you didn’t told me :)

]]> By: Sacha http://typesites.com/aiga/#comment-383 Sacha Tue, 21 Oct 2008 04:28:27 +0000 http://typesites.com/aiga/#comment-383 As much as I don't want to, I find myself agreeing with Andy Rutledge on this one. I don't like the design, but it might also be because the random header feature served me up with a blue and white grid that makes the page even more confusing. As much as I don’t want to, I find myself agreeing with Andy Rutledge on this one. I don’t like the design, but it might also be because the random header feature served me up with a blue and white grid that makes the page even more confusing.

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