Site Redesign Cordie Cakes
- Cordie Cakes Redesign
- The Grid - Has a kind of template design-disjointed. Too much & busy.
- Color Palette - Color Palette is simple and monochromatic.
- Navigation - Needs to be simplified. Easier to follow. Follow objective of site.
- Design Principles - Not very upscale design, appetizing cake photos needed?
- Typography -Type font is very hard to read. Mixer part is odd. Art Nouveau style can be thought of to be upscale but is really too busy and not easy to follow.Also script bold font is hard to read. Fonts could be simpler more elegant and easier to follow and understand. Also too much copy.
- Flash into is too much for a simple site where I want to order a cake. By the time it plays I want to go on to another site where I can place my order and be done.
- Objective of the site is to show appetizing cakes and how to order. SIMPLE.
Competitive Analysis of Sites & Cake Site
- What is a competitive analysis?
A competitive analysis is when the designer looks at the other websites that are on the web to see what is out there. Making notes of what are good parts and bad parts of the sites. As well as research about business they are building the site about. If it is an actual brick and mortar business it is good to take a look at that too. Example: Subway Sandwiches, Target.
- Why is a competitive analysis important to the design process?
Because it gives you key information about who the competition is for the site you are building. You can learn about what you want to do as well as what you don’t want to do. You can see what sections and navigation work or not work and base your site map and design accordingly. You can test the functionality and improve on someone else’s design without having to do the work yourself. Like building a better mousetrap-so to speak.
- What things kind of things do you look at when doing a competitive analysis?
Things such as functionality, design, navigation, sections, titles of sections, copywriting -what makes sense and what doesn’t. Or also what you like in the design as well as not. THings like is the type readable, what are the consumers looking for? when they come to a site like this. Are images quality and what look appetizing. What is the purpose of the site and does it match that? Is it easy to navigate and intuitive or difficult to figure out. Is it clear to the viewer where to go, what they’ll find and easy to understand?
What three competitive websites can you look at for your final project?
Fancy Cakes by Leslie
Pros- Fun cakes. Good reviews. Colorful.
Cons- Type is hard to read. Very congested and busy. Too many sections.
Pink Cake Box
Pros- Beautiful cakes. Easy navigation.
Cons-Doesn’t look designed with any grid etc. Unorganized.
Creative Cakes, Inc.
Pros- Idea to the site. Colorful cakes. Focal point. Nav is easy to read.
Cons- Monochromatic color. Awning is taking over the site. Hard to read logo.
Sidebar is odd angle design.
Here was my concept for a site Monday May Design. I chose The Mamas and the Papas song Monday Monday and built this in homage to them and how great Mondays are. The level of excitement of a new week to design anything for clients. The potential, the unabated enthusiasm. (Photo caption: Comp purpose only not a live site.)
Principles of b-u-t-ful Web Design Answers
GRID THEORY
A way of organizing material on a page using columns, guides, margins and rows in either a golden proportional grid or a grid dividing the page in thirds.
OTHER iMPORTANT DESIGN PRINCIPLES BESIDES BALANCE
Symmetry, Proportion, Unifying elements, White space, Logo placement, Navigation, Content amount, Continuance of elements, Basic Web Anatomy, Structure, & Color palette.
BREAD & BUTTER LAYOUTS
Three main layouts include: Left Column Nav, Right Column Nav and Three Column Nav. Examples: ThinkGeek, Audi and The Apple Store.
Marcia’s Favorite Websites
Most sites I go to are of a shopping or informational in nature. I’m looking forward to seeing more unique websites from our class.
I like this ecommerce site because it is easy to navigate and find any item with multiple pulldown menus etc. THey have beautiful graphic photos and it is simple.
I like huffingtonpost because it is very informational almost like a newspaper format and easy to find updates to current info or what is happening and I can also find info about many columnists and writers who I enjoy reading about politics. It also has helpful links to many other informational websites as well.
I really like tcm because it takes a very distinct style and plays up the CSA art to it’s advantage since it is “classic” movies. They have very simple graphics, schedules and other items. Since I love classic movies it is a big favorite.
