Well I've finished assignment 3 and uploaded it to the WebCT board... now all I can do is sit and wait with crossed fingers :)
A final thought...
Through learning about usability testing I feel that I have been able to create a website which is aimed at the needs of potential users of the Toy Camera Photography site, rather than creating a site which is designed for me.
I plan to build this website in next study period and feel that the skills which I have developed throughout NED23, including usability testing, will allow me to continue to enhance my ability to create websites of a professional caliber and ensure that the Toy Camera Photography website is always popular.
Hope to see some of you in NED24 or future units :)
Till next time,
Peta
2007/05/25
2007/05/23
Final Flowchart
After discussions with peers and Edwin I have come up with the final flowchart for the website.
I am currently finalising my website usability findings and concluding NED24 final assignment.
2007/05/22
Flowcharting
I'm having some difficulty grasping the concept of where the 'search results' and 'error'pages should go in my flowchart. I will post the webCT for peer feedback :)
draft above.
2007/05/21
Visual Hierachy
I've been doing some research into the visual herachy of a site and have come up with the following.
I want to ensure that a search engine will be able to correctly and easily index the site and have thus put emphasis on the key areas such as the skyscraper header.
I want to ensure that a search engine will be able to correctly and easily index the site and have thus put emphasis on the key areas such as the skyscraper header.
2007/05/20
Just when I thought I'd finished
After more discussions with peers and friends I have changed the titles of some of the tabs and defined the search box... I feel I am almost there and am working on tidying up my reserach component and flowcharts. I have also completed Krug's Trunk Test for my proposed site.
Above are the 5 main screens of my site.
I am wondering if I need a page for 'search results' and am awaiting to hear from Edwin for further advice....
2007/05/19
Bold makes a difference (attempt 10!)
Gosh, I just realised that even by doing something as simple as changing the bottom nav to bold text it really changes the look... Wow. such a small thing makes such a dfiference!!!
Sub Nav, Text and Images
I've played around with the sub nav and have come up with what I think works best.
Class mates have been impressed by my new design so far. I am using my class mates and also friends outside of class to do informal usability testing.
Below is another shot of my site...
Class mates have been impressed by my new design so far. I am using my class mates and also friends outside of class to do informal usability testing.
Below is another shot of my site...
Better and better...
What a day, I feel the site is just getting better and better with the adjustment to the header to make it clearer to read. I'm trying to take everyone's input onboard without losing my intial ideas for the site. I'm happy with the results so far!!! 
I feel that the colour scheme and rounded edges give the site a really quirky theme. 'POP' culture so to speak.. Which is what I am really going for..
I feel that the colour scheme and rounded edges give the site a really quirky theme. 'POP' culture so to speak.. Which is what I am really going for..
Working more on the colours
I then realised that the contrast between the green and the white seemed to be too much... Soo... I added in a 3rd layer of lighter green... When this site is actually created these will all be done as images so I invisage no problem in actually building this effect into the site, but I am really excited about the colouring of the site. I'm really happy with it and hope that my peers and tutor like it also...
tadaaaaaaa....
On a personal note... I was honestly feeling really down and basically tired of this assignment.. But my new found colour scheme has really given me the lift I needed to soldier on!!
tadaaaaaaa....
On a personal note... I was honestly feeling really down and basically tired of this assignment.. But my new found colour scheme has really given me the lift I needed to soldier on!!
Colours killing me!!
So I know I said I wasn't going to bother with trying to work on the colour scheme so much... but it just really started to bug me, as I realised that that is really what ties a whole page together. Especially after Meryl helped to point out how I could improve my nav! I re-read over suggestions from my peers and thought more about what Carolyn had said about possibly making a border colour scheme... So I played around with that for a while and came up with a few things... It was certainly another Eureka moment for me.... Then I started to picture rounded edges instead of square and I came up with this...
Peer Feedback
Well it's really getting down to the wire and not too much time left until I have to lock in a final choice.
I've had some fantastic feedback from friends and peers. It is interesting to note that fellow classmates have the better feedback as although friends can see something wrong with a page, they are not really too sure how to correct it. Classmates on the other hand can spot what is wrong which is a great help.
After feedback about my initial logo (which I knew was not fantastic) I decided to go with a simpler style camera shot and put the Site ID in there. Some people queried this, however, Krug states on page 86 of the text that a Site ID is vital. So I have decided to keep this in. This can also double as a home button for those familiar with that system.
I have decided to post below my recent converstations with class mates for reference as well as a copy of another draft of screen shot. I still have a lot to think about, but the most beneficial feedback seems to have come from Carolyn who kindly did a re-vamp of my nav for me. I will definately be taking this into consideration today as I work through another (hopefully final) version of the page. I am also going to try not to get too worried about colours as this is somethign which can be easily changed. It is the 'usabilty' aspect which I need to focus on for this topic. However, aesthetics are obviously very important.
feedback
Subject: Draft Storyboard for Critique
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Message no. 1767
Author: Peta Drury
Date: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 9:35pm
Hi guys,
If any of you have a moment, I'd love some feedback on my draft
storyboard (attached)... Please let me know if I've forgotten anything
major.
Just like Lin said - feel free to be harsh - I can take it :)
Thanks,
Peta
See AttachedSee Attached
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Message no. 1770
Author: Jan Hobson
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2007 7:45am
well done Peta, layed out neatly and organised only critique I would have is about logo, I
like the camera in the bushes pic but find the name doesn't stand out also I don't really
know what a toy camera is, sounds like something for children, but I guess those that
use them will know!
Love your images of cameras in different places, posing!
Only other thing (just my thoughts) is perhaps local nav look too much like top tabs? and
it's all very green, maybe you could introduce another colour? Do you need the
words 'quick links' and 'home' stated? I like how you have set out your top banner, very
Krug, you know with site ID, search bar, tabs etc..
all looks professional I think just the logo lets it down a bit
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Message no. 1771
Author: Peta Drury
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2007 8:49am
Hi Jan,
Thanks for your feedback....
I agree with most of your points and have tried again accordingly :)
Let me try to reply to you...
only critique I would have is about logo, I
like the camera in the bushes pic but find the name doesn't stand out
also I don't really
know what a toy camera is, sounds like something for children, but I
guess those that
use them will know!
Yes; it was late... Photoshop was giving me nightmares... I've revamped
the logo now.. Please let me know what you think. As for the 'toy
camera' thing... Well... A person would at least need to know what one
was before they went looking for my site so I think I can't do much
about that...
Only other thing (just my thoughts) is perhaps local nav look too
much like top tabs?
Do you think there's a problem with this? I was going for a unified nav
type thing...
it's all very green, maybe you could introduce another colour?
I was going for the 'pop culture' type colour scheme here as this seemed
popular in my testing.. But I've toned it down a bit this time.. Any
other comments please :)
Do you need the words 'quick links' and 'home' stated?
Hmmm.. I'm trying to make people not 'think'.... Let me re-think this one :)
Here is another attempt... Feel free to throw rocks :)
P
See AttachedSee Attached
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Message no. 1772
Author: Suzanne Howarth
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2007 9:10am
I think it looks great, and just to be annoying I really preferred all
the green in your first example. Using the colour in the first one I
think really achieved what u were going for.
Suzanne
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Message no. 1773
Author: Jan Hobson
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2007 9:27am
I hope you don't really think I am throwing rocks :)
No I am not sure about the nav's looking similar at all, just a thought! although since you
changed banner top tabs really stand out more. I like your quirky new logo, a camera
that can think, cool, I need one of those!
still not real sure about colours, maybe it was just the shades of green used? Maybe it's
just me? maybe colour is not as important as elements standing out being findable and
usable, which all your seemed to be.
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Message no. 1774
Author: Peta Drury
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2007 10:37am
Thanks for your feedback!!
Can anyone see any other major flaws?
Hmmmmm... I'm confused on the colour scheme now...
When I get home I'll sort out a few more and we can have a vote :)
That's usability testing innit?
P
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Message no. 1775
Author: Peta Drury
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2007 10:39am
P.s - No, no Jan... I didn't think you were throwing rocks... What I was
trying to say was please be critical because that's the only way I'll
get the site looking its best... :)
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Message no. 1779
Author: Edwin Lynch
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2007 4:40pm
That's right. Criticism is what will make us all great!
Lovely strokes and encouragement will keep us going - but it's no way
forward. The former is more important - although we should curb our
default "opinion as critique".
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Message no. 1778
Author: Edwin Lynch
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2007 4:38pm
Ooooh, getting better already...
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Message no. 1777
Author: Edwin Lynch
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2007 4:36pm
Okay. IMHO and in the interests of making your design look / work better:
1. Decide which is your nav and which is subnav. I assume tabs are main
nav, but it's not dead clear. You need to give text sizes on your site
some kind of heirarchy. The biggest text is "home".
I'd use Toy Camera Photography as an h1. A beginner's guide as h4 and
tabs and quick links as h2 and h3. Really think about what's most
impotant on the page. Thinking SEO is a good way to decide as Search
Engines are really just trying to emulate human choice anyway..
Not sure you need the url on logo.
2. I love how you have photographed the Holga.
3. Is there another colour you could use - sparingly - say orange / red
(something from the other side of the wheel)
4. What will the page look like on a widescreen monitor. Is it fixed or
fluid width?
5. Might be good to use a ratation script (pity there are no
accessibility proof ones) on a series of images. In your logo position?
Somethnig taken with a Holga.
6. As with Lin's - something to tie the elements together better instead
of stark white. A faded watermark / pattern of cameras?
Just my initial (design) thoughts. Now to read others...
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Message no. 1794
Author: Keith Riley
Date: Friday, May 18, 2007 8:34am
hey Peta,
looking good... I too like the 'more green' version too... I think that
grey like black and white should not be viewed as colors... (personal rant)
I love your rounded corners... did you sneak a peak at my design
development?? LOL...hehe see my ned23 website (very similar to my
ned23A4) ...no, but really it looks great...
I agree with Edwin 'bout url on logo... bit distracting...
love the 'Where's Wally'..or 'Where's Holga' take on the images...
reminds me of the Uni, students who stole (kidnapped) the brightly
colored suburban garden gnome... then posted photos of said gnome in
front of the pyramids, and the Louvre...etc etc... he just popped up
everywhere... very funny... lot of effort tho... ummm distracted again...
I like the logo with 'thought bubble'... cant remember what the bubble
said, but... perhaps it should read, "What is a Holga?... or
not...
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Message no. 1798
Author: Peta Drury
Date: Friday, May 18, 2007 10:10am
Helloooooooooooooooo!
Thanks for ur feedback, Keith and others.
Does everyone think that I should take the URL out of the bubble and
replace it with something else?
If I used text on graphics that would show up in a search engine so
putting in "what is a holga" would be a good idea... But why would a
holga be thinking that?! hahah But you get my point...
Ta,
P
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Message no. 1802
Author: Lin Campbell
Date: Friday, May 18, 2007 12:17pm
Hey Peta :)
Great work on the storyboard -- really clean and simple. Excellent!!
You know, that's my problem, I'm always making things complicated for
myself -- your designs are always refreshing to look at darling ;)
Well done!!
Lin
XX
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Message no. 1807
Author: Meryl Thomas
Date: Friday, May 18, 2007 6:51pm
Hi Peta,
very impressive! I like the clear layout and good use of white space.
The quick links are great for us web-page scanners who want to get to
somewhere specific fast.
I wasn't too sure about having a division under the tab and thought that
it cut the tab off from the active page (see Krug's tabs on p.82 and my
attached fiddle).
I'm glad you have a site-map: I like sites with site-maps because it
gives me a good overview of what is on offer. Are you going to have an
'about us' page or do you only need the small about section on the home
page?
I like the green theme it has a Fujicolor feel about it.... did you
choose green because of the colour of the film boxes? regardless, Krug
says not get too excited about colour comments (p.151).
What sort of things are you going to include on the help page? The help page
really has me intrigued!
cheers,
Meryl
See AttachedSee Attached
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Message no. 1812
Author: Lin Campbell
Date: Friday, May 18, 2007 7:56pm
Lady Meryl... :)
What you have done has put heaps more emphasis on the main navigation,
in my opinion!!
Lucky to have you in class!! ;)
Cheers.
Lin
XX
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Message no. 1817
Author: Meryl Thomas
Date: Saturday, May 19, 2007 6:03am
thank you Lin for your encouragement :)
After studying Krug's analysis of the Amazonian tab system I can see
they do give me a far better sense of where I am.
But having said that I hesitated to fiddle with Peta's use of colours on
the tabs because they gave the site good aesthetic colour balance and I
think I mucked that up when I changed the tab colour. Whilst I changed
the header bar to be the same colour as the footer to compensate for the
change I still think I drastically shifted the overall colour balance on
the page. My suggestion might have improved my own location awareness
but it might not look right for the entire page.... colour is such a
tricky thing!
cheers,
Meryl
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Message no. 1823
Author: Peta Drury
Date: Saturday, May 19, 2007 10:29am
Hi Meryl,
Thank you so much for your very useful feedback!!!
Re; the top nav... I was trying hard to stick to the book (see page 84
of Krug) i.e. I'm pretty sure the whole amazone page is not green to
match the tabs... So hmmm... And then again on pg 87 you can see the
similar nav style I was going for..
But the one you have shown does look much slicker and like tabs.
And what you say about colours is so true... It is so easy to change
colours of site, but much harder to change nav once in place so I think
I'll put my emphasis back on 'usability' as that is what this course is
about rather than visual aesthetics (also obviously important).
Going to have another fiddle after leaving it for a day and see what I
can come up with :)
Thanks again,
Peta
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Message no. 1815
Author: Carolyn McIlvenny
Date: Friday, May 18, 2007 10:14pm
What about introducing the contrast color as a border on some of the boxes, would make
them pop more on the page.
I was thinking about your font sizes but then read on and Edwin got to that one first so
will not go there again.
I like the layout but if you want the tabs to look more like the primary nav then perhaps
they need to extend across the whole page, would wreck your nice header ...
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Message no. 1822
Author: Kathryn Thompson
Date: Saturday, May 19, 2007 9:13am
Looks good to me.
Can't see anything that I would change.
K
I've had some fantastic feedback from friends and peers. It is interesting to note that fellow classmates have the better feedback as although friends can see something wrong with a page, they are not really too sure how to correct it. Classmates on the other hand can spot what is wrong which is a great help.
After feedback about my initial logo (which I knew was not fantastic) I decided to go with a simpler style camera shot and put the Site ID in there. Some people queried this, however, Krug states on page 86 of the text that a Site ID is vital. So I have decided to keep this in. This can also double as a home button for those familiar with that system.
I have decided to post below my recent converstations with class mates for reference as well as a copy of another draft of screen shot. I still have a lot to think about, but the most beneficial feedback seems to have come from Carolyn who kindly did a re-vamp of my nav for me. I will definately be taking this into consideration today as I work through another (hopefully final) version of the page. I am also going to try not to get too worried about colours as this is somethign which can be easily changed. It is the 'usabilty' aspect which I need to focus on for this topic. However, aesthetics are obviously very important.
feedback
Subject: Draft Storyboard for Critique
Previous thread Next thread Close
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Message no. 1767
Author: Peta Drury
Date: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 9:35pm
Hi guys,
If any of you have a moment, I'd love some feedback on my draft
storyboard (attached)... Please let me know if I've forgotten anything
major.
Just like Lin said - feel free to be harsh - I can take it :)
Thanks,
Peta
See AttachedSee Attached
Reply Reply privately Quote Download
Message no. 1770
Author: Jan Hobson
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2007 7:45am
well done Peta, layed out neatly and organised only critique I would have is about logo, I
like the camera in the bushes pic but find the name doesn't stand out also I don't really
know what a toy camera is, sounds like something for children, but I guess those that
use them will know!
Love your images of cameras in different places, posing!
Only other thing (just my thoughts) is perhaps local nav look too much like top tabs? and
it's all very green, maybe you could introduce another colour? Do you need the
words 'quick links' and 'home' stated? I like how you have set out your top banner, very
Krug, you know with site ID, search bar, tabs etc..
all looks professional I think just the logo lets it down a bit
Reply Reply privately Quote Download
Message no. 1771
Author: Peta Drury
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2007 8:49am
Hi Jan,
Thanks for your feedback....
I agree with most of your points and have tried again accordingly :)
Let me try to reply to you...
only critique I would have is about logo, I
like the camera in the bushes pic but find the name doesn't stand out
also I don't really
know what a toy camera is, sounds like something for children, but I
guess those that
use them will know!
Yes; it was late... Photoshop was giving me nightmares... I've revamped
the logo now.. Please let me know what you think. As for the 'toy
camera' thing... Well... A person would at least need to know what one
was before they went looking for my site so I think I can't do much
about that...
Only other thing (just my thoughts) is perhaps local nav look too
much like top tabs?
Do you think there's a problem with this? I was going for a unified nav
type thing...
it's all very green, maybe you could introduce another colour?
I was going for the 'pop culture' type colour scheme here as this seemed
popular in my testing.. But I've toned it down a bit this time.. Any
other comments please :)
Do you need the words 'quick links' and 'home' stated?
Hmmm.. I'm trying to make people not 'think'.... Let me re-think this one :)
Here is another attempt... Feel free to throw rocks :)
P
See AttachedSee Attached
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Message no. 1772
Author: Suzanne Howarth
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2007 9:10am
I think it looks great, and just to be annoying I really preferred all
the green in your first example. Using the colour in the first one I
think really achieved what u were going for.
Suzanne
Reply Reply privately Quote Download
Message no. 1773
Author: Jan Hobson
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2007 9:27am
I hope you don't really think I am throwing rocks :)
No I am not sure about the nav's looking similar at all, just a thought! although since you
changed banner top tabs really stand out more. I like your quirky new logo, a camera
that can think, cool, I need one of those!
still not real sure about colours, maybe it was just the shades of green used? Maybe it's
just me? maybe colour is not as important as elements standing out being findable and
usable, which all your seemed to be.
Reply Reply privately Quote Download
Message no. 1774
Author: Peta Drury
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2007 10:37am
Thanks for your feedback!!
Can anyone see any other major flaws?
Hmmmmm... I'm confused on the colour scheme now...
When I get home I'll sort out a few more and we can have a vote :)
That's usability testing innit?
P
Reply Reply privately Quote Download
Message no. 1775
Author: Peta Drury
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2007 10:39am
P.s - No, no Jan... I didn't think you were throwing rocks... What I was
trying to say was please be critical because that's the only way I'll
get the site looking its best... :)
Reply Reply privately Quote Download
Message no. 1779
Author: Edwin Lynch
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2007 4:40pm
That's right. Criticism is what will make us all great!
Lovely strokes and encouragement will keep us going - but it's no way
forward. The former is more important - although we should curb our
default "opinion as critique".
Reply Reply privately Quote Download
Message no. 1778
Author: Edwin Lynch
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2007 4:38pm
Ooooh, getting better already...
Reply Reply privately Quote Download
Message no. 1777
Author: Edwin Lynch
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2007 4:36pm
Okay. IMHO and in the interests of making your design look / work better:
1. Decide which is your nav and which is subnav. I assume tabs are main
nav, but it's not dead clear. You need to give text sizes on your site
some kind of heirarchy. The biggest text is "home".
I'd use Toy Camera Photography as an h1. A beginner's guide as h4 and
tabs and quick links as h2 and h3. Really think about what's most
impotant on the page. Thinking SEO is a good way to decide as Search
Engines are really just trying to emulate human choice anyway..
Not sure you need the url on logo.
2. I love how you have photographed the Holga.
3. Is there another colour you could use - sparingly - say orange / red
(something from the other side of the wheel)
4. What will the page look like on a widescreen monitor. Is it fixed or
fluid width?
5. Might be good to use a ratation script (pity there are no
accessibility proof ones) on a series of images. In your logo position?
Somethnig taken with a Holga.
6. As with Lin's - something to tie the elements together better instead
of stark white. A faded watermark / pattern of cameras?
Just my initial (design) thoughts. Now to read others...
Reply Reply privately Quote Download
Message no. 1794
Author: Keith Riley
Date: Friday, May 18, 2007 8:34am
hey Peta,
looking good... I too like the 'more green' version too... I think that
grey like black and white should not be viewed as colors... (personal rant)
I love your rounded corners... did you sneak a peak at my design
development?? LOL...hehe see my ned23 website (very similar to my
ned23A4) ...no, but really it looks great...
I agree with Edwin 'bout url on logo... bit distracting...
love the 'Where's Wally'..or 'Where's Holga' take on the images...
reminds me of the Uni, students who stole (kidnapped) the brightly
colored suburban garden gnome... then posted photos of said gnome in
front of the pyramids, and the Louvre...etc etc... he just popped up
everywhere... very funny... lot of effort tho... ummm distracted again...
I like the logo with 'thought bubble'... cant remember what the bubble
said, but... perhaps it should read, "What is a Holga?... or
not...
Reply Reply privately Quote Download
Message no. 1798
Author: Peta Drury
Date: Friday, May 18, 2007 10:10am
Helloooooooooooooooo!
Thanks for ur feedback, Keith and others.
Does everyone think that I should take the URL out of the bubble and
replace it with something else?
If I used text on graphics that would show up in a search engine so
putting in "what is a holga" would be a good idea... But why would a
holga be thinking that?! hahah But you get my point...
Ta,
P
Reply Reply privately Quote Download
Message no. 1802
Author: Lin Campbell
Date: Friday, May 18, 2007 12:17pm
Hey Peta :)
Great work on the storyboard -- really clean and simple. Excellent!!
You know, that's my problem, I'm always making things complicated for
myself -- your designs are always refreshing to look at darling ;)
Well done!!
Lin
XX
Reply Reply privately Quote Download
Message no. 1807
Author: Meryl Thomas
Date: Friday, May 18, 2007 6:51pm
Hi Peta,
very impressive! I like the clear layout and good use of white space.
The quick links are great for us web-page scanners who want to get to
somewhere specific fast.
I wasn't too sure about having a division under the tab and thought that
it cut the tab off from the active page (see Krug's tabs on p.82 and my
attached fiddle).
I'm glad you have a site-map: I like sites with site-maps because it
gives me a good overview of what is on offer. Are you going to have an
'about us' page or do you only need the small about section on the home
page?
I like the green theme it has a Fujicolor feel about it.... did you
choose green because of the colour of the film boxes? regardless, Krug
says not get too excited about colour comments (p.151).
What sort of things are you going to include on the help page? The help page
really has me intrigued!
cheers,
Meryl
See AttachedSee Attached
Reply Reply privately Quote Download
Message no. 1812
Author: Lin Campbell
Date: Friday, May 18, 2007 7:56pm
Lady Meryl... :)
What you have done has put heaps more emphasis on the main navigation,
in my opinion!!
Lucky to have you in class!! ;)
Cheers.
Lin
XX
Reply Reply privately Quote Download
Message no. 1817
Author: Meryl Thomas
Date: Saturday, May 19, 2007 6:03am
thank you Lin for your encouragement :)
After studying Krug's analysis of the Amazonian tab system I can see
they do give me a far better sense of where I am.
But having said that I hesitated to fiddle with Peta's use of colours on
the tabs because they gave the site good aesthetic colour balance and I
think I mucked that up when I changed the tab colour. Whilst I changed
the header bar to be the same colour as the footer to compensate for the
change I still think I drastically shifted the overall colour balance on
the page. My suggestion might have improved my own location awareness
but it might not look right for the entire page.... colour is such a
tricky thing!
cheers,
Meryl
Reply Reply privately Quote Download
Message no. 1823
Author: Peta Drury
Date: Saturday, May 19, 2007 10:29am
Hi Meryl,
Thank you so much for your very useful feedback!!!
Re; the top nav... I was trying hard to stick to the book (see page 84
of Krug) i.e. I'm pretty sure the whole amazone page is not green to
match the tabs... So hmmm... And then again on pg 87 you can see the
similar nav style I was going for..
But the one you have shown does look much slicker and like tabs.
And what you say about colours is so true... It is so easy to change
colours of site, but much harder to change nav once in place so I think
I'll put my emphasis back on 'usability' as that is what this course is
about rather than visual aesthetics (also obviously important).
Going to have another fiddle after leaving it for a day and see what I
can come up with :)
Thanks again,
Peta
Reply Reply privately Quote Download
Message no. 1815
Author: Carolyn McIlvenny
Date: Friday, May 18, 2007 10:14pm
What about introducing the contrast color as a border on some of the boxes, would make
them pop more on the page.
I was thinking about your font sizes but then read on and Edwin got to that one first so
will not go there again.
I like the layout but if you want the tabs to look more like the primary nav then perhaps
they need to extend across the whole page, would wreck your nice header ...
Reply Reply privately Quote Download
Message no. 1822
Author: Kathryn Thompson
Date: Saturday, May 19, 2007 9:13am
Looks good to me.
Can't see anything that I would change.
K
2007/05/16
Posted for Critique
I have been trying to follow the advice of usability specialists such as Krug to come up with a draft storyboard for the final assignment.
I posted it on WebCT today to seek feedback from my peers before any last minute changes are made.
2007/05/14
Website photoshoot!
Over the weekend I went out and took some photos of my toy camera for use on my toy camera website.
I am tossing up the idea of using a photo with text over it rather than an actual logo.
Still thinking whether or not this would effect SEO...
2007/05/11
Refining Categories
I've been working some more on refining the categories for my website.
I've tried to include the types of things which need to be without overcrowding the page.
Here's some pics of my scribbles and studies...
I've tried to include the types of things which need to be without overcrowding the page.
Here's some pics of my scribbles and studies...
2007/05/10
Interesting Link
I've just been browsing this site which Carolyn recommended..
http://accessites.org/site/
Very interesting!
Time to crack on with the final assignment!
http://accessites.org/site/
Very interesting!
Time to crack on with the final assignment!
Index Card Test
I asked 3 people at work to do Krug's 'Index Card Testing' today.. Results were as follows:
User 1:
Home
- Search
- Help
- Contact
- Links
About
- Tips
- Tricks
- Film
- Modifications
Gallery
- Buy
Forum
FAQ
User 2:
Home
- Buy
About
- Tips
- Tricks
- Film
- Modifications
Gallery
Forum
FAQ
- Help
- Contact
- Links
- Search
User 2:
Home
- Contact
About
- Tips
- Tricks
- Film
- Modifications
- Buy
Gallery
Forum
FAQ
- Help
- Links
- Search
It was intereresting, but as I had expected - which is good!!
2007/05/07
Categories
Now that assignment 3 is out of the way, it's time to get on with assignment 4.
I have been reading up about usability every other day and feel that I have a good grasp on what is required for a site to be accessible easily by the largest number of people.
I've started brainstorming the types of pages I want to include in my website and plan to survey 5 people over the next few days to see what they think should be included. I also plan to do the 'card test' to work out how my navigation should work.
2007/05/04
Assignment 3 submitted
Phew! What a relief! I just submitted assignment 3 for NED23... It was challenging, enjoyable and beneficial to my learning all at the same time.
I learnt SO much in terms of what I thougth people did when they browsed sites and what they actually do...
Here is an excert from my assignment.
According to web usability guru, Steve Krug, “if you want a great site, you’ve got to test’” (Krug 2006). Therefore, in order for me to build a superior website, I have conducted usability testing on three competing websites, namely, http://www.lomography.com, http://www.kodakgallery.com and http://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography.
As discussed in assignment two, I aim to create a website based on toy camera photography, with a particular focus on the Holga camera. Through research conducted for the previous assignment, I have found that in terms of direct competition www.lomography.com poses the biggest threat to my website. Although, as all three websites I have tested come under the broad topic of photography, It is probable that I will be competing for website ‘hits’ with any one of these sites as well as with a plethora of others.
As many Internet users locate websites through search engines such as www.google.com and www.yahoo.com I will aim to ensure that my site is easy to find through use of search engine optimization (SEO). There is no point in creating a great website if it is unlikely to be found amongst the near endless amount of other pages online.
Although it is difficult to determine the ways in which search engines rank websites, it is believed that a website with good overall usability will not only help human users of the site to enjoy the content of it. Good usability is also likely to assist other technologies to sift through and find relevant content on the site in order to improve a page’s ranking on various search engines.
Therefore, usability testing will make it easier for Internet users to not only locate my site, but also ensure that once they enter my site that they feel comfortable and enjoy their time. Ideally, this combination of ease of location and use will help to prevent a user from viewing a competing site over mine.
Conducting usability testing has made me aware of the differences in opinion shared by web users. As a web designer, it is dangerous and ignorant to assume that all users of a site share the same ideas on usability that you do.
The most surprising finding through web usability testing was the realisation that all candidates had expectations of where certain items on a web page should be placed. When these items were not found where they were expected to be, the user became displeased.
“Users have grown accustomed to looking in certain areas on a screen to find specific items” (Bernard 2001). It is therefore crucial to ensure that objects are placed where people expect them to be when building websites.
Tested users also expected a page to load as quickly as possible. A wait time within 10 seconds is also recommended by Nielsen in an article written by Selvidge (Selvidge 1999).
Participants of the survey also seemed unhappy when a page was too cluttered. This highlights Bernard’s findings which state that in order for a website to have good usability it must include a balance of content and white space. (Bernard 2000).
Failure to adhere to the above recommendations may increase the likelihood of a user leaving your website.
Finally, although web standardisation may not allow a great deal of flexibility or creativity to a design, it appears that users are more concerned with the usability of a site, than the sheer design of it. It is therefore essential to ensure that good usability is a primary factor when creating any website.
Almost there!!
I really need to post some images of potential layouts.. That's next on my list.
Peta
I learnt SO much in terms of what I thougth people did when they browsed sites and what they actually do...
Here is an excert from my assignment.
According to web usability guru, Steve Krug, “if you want a great site, you’ve got to test’” (Krug 2006). Therefore, in order for me to build a superior website, I have conducted usability testing on three competing websites, namely, http://www.lomography.com, http://www.kodakgallery.com and http://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography.
As discussed in assignment two, I aim to create a website based on toy camera photography, with a particular focus on the Holga camera. Through research conducted for the previous assignment, I have found that in terms of direct competition www.lomography.com poses the biggest threat to my website. Although, as all three websites I have tested come under the broad topic of photography, It is probable that I will be competing for website ‘hits’ with any one of these sites as well as with a plethora of others.
As many Internet users locate websites through search engines such as www.google.com and www.yahoo.com I will aim to ensure that my site is easy to find through use of search engine optimization (SEO). There is no point in creating a great website if it is unlikely to be found amongst the near endless amount of other pages online.
Although it is difficult to determine the ways in which search engines rank websites, it is believed that a website with good overall usability will not only help human users of the site to enjoy the content of it. Good usability is also likely to assist other technologies to sift through and find relevant content on the site in order to improve a page’s ranking on various search engines.
Therefore, usability testing will make it easier for Internet users to not only locate my site, but also ensure that once they enter my site that they feel comfortable and enjoy their time. Ideally, this combination of ease of location and use will help to prevent a user from viewing a competing site over mine.
Conducting usability testing has made me aware of the differences in opinion shared by web users. As a web designer, it is dangerous and ignorant to assume that all users of a site share the same ideas on usability that you do.
The most surprising finding through web usability testing was the realisation that all candidates had expectations of where certain items on a web page should be placed. When these items were not found where they were expected to be, the user became displeased.
“Users have grown accustomed to looking in certain areas on a screen to find specific items” (Bernard 2001). It is therefore crucial to ensure that objects are placed where people expect them to be when building websites.
Tested users also expected a page to load as quickly as possible. A wait time within 10 seconds is also recommended by Nielsen in an article written by Selvidge (Selvidge 1999).
Participants of the survey also seemed unhappy when a page was too cluttered. This highlights Bernard’s findings which state that in order for a website to have good usability it must include a balance of content and white space. (Bernard 2000).
Failure to adhere to the above recommendations may increase the likelihood of a user leaving your website.
Finally, although web standardisation may not allow a great deal of flexibility or creativity to a design, it appears that users are more concerned with the usability of a site, than the sheer design of it. It is therefore essential to ensure that good usability is a primary factor when creating any website.
Almost there!!
I really need to post some images of potential layouts.. That's next on my list.
Peta
2007/05/03
Usability Video in the Works
I've been working really hard on my video testing and I'm quite pleased with how it is all going along.
I've put together the basic testing videos into one movie almost 2 hours in length!!!
I'm currently editing the video to make it look a bit more professional with some intro screens... I'm learning as I go along which is great!!
I've put together the basic testing videos into one movie almost 2 hours in length!!!
I'm currently editing the video to make it look a bit more professional with some intro screens... I'm learning as I go along which is great!!
Research for Website
In order to research my topic more thorougly I purchased a book on plastic cameras..
It seems to be ok, but not as thorough as I had expected. I would have covered most of what is in this book and could have saved myself $40 by pure online research...
It seems to be ok, but not as thorough as I had expected. I would have covered most of what is in this book and could have saved myself $40 by pure online research...
2007/05/02
Holga Store Usability Problems
In addition to the problems with the website www.lomography.com (competing site), their store doesn't seem to have very good usability either... I received a lame reply from their customer service department.. Not impressed!!
Hi,
We cannot send orders to Japan since our Japanese subsidiary is selling
these products now in Japan. For further info please contact Daisuke,
daisuke@lomography.jp
I'm sorry that you are upset, but the only thing I can do is to direct you
to Daisuke to make your proposals.
Best lomographic wishes from Vienna,
Tina Rhomberg
Lomographic Society International
Hollergasse 41 1150
VIENNA - AUSTRIA
Tel : 0043-1-899 44-417
Fax : 0043-1-899 44-22
www.lomography.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Nicole Bogatitus [mailto:nicole@lomography.com]
Sent: Dienstag, 24. April 2007 18:15
To: 'Tina Rhomberg'
Subject: FW: Japan Site Problems.
Nicole Bogatitus
Sales Support Manager
Lomographic Corp
20 Jay Street
Suite 314
Brooklyn NY 11201
718-522-4353 ext. 202
nicole@lomography.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Peta [mailto:utopia4@ihug.com.au]
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 10:24 PM
To: customerservice-usa@lomography.com
Subject: Japan Site Problems.
Hello,
I was all excited to buy my LCA deluxe pack from your site but was
unable to for the below reasons.
I'm an Australian living in Japan and as soon as I tried to buy from
your lovely English site it directed me to your Japan site... There
are many problems for me with this...
a) Site is completely in Japanese - no English alternative - you
might be cutting of a rapidly developing market of foreigners who
come to Japan to teach English etc...
b) LCA's are sold out at the Japan store so I have to wait.
c) They don't sell the pack I wanted (deluxe pack with colour flash).
d) It's more expenisve than the US store
e) I don't think they offer free shipping
f) The instruction manual offered here is in Japanese. I require English.
Am I able to buy an LCA+ from one of your English speaking stores? As
I would much rather receive a quality camera than risk purchasing
from E-bay.
Kind regards,
Peta Sasaki
Hi,
We cannot send orders to Japan since our Japanese subsidiary is selling
these products now in Japan. For further info please contact Daisuke,
daisuke@lomography.jp
I'm sorry that you are upset, but the only thing I can do is to direct you
to Daisuke to make your proposals.
Best lomographic wishes from Vienna,
Tina Rhomberg
Lomographic Society International
Hollergasse 41 1150
VIENNA - AUSTRIA
Tel : 0043-1-899 44-417
Fax : 0043-1-899 44-22
www.lomography.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Nicole Bogatitus [mailto:nicole@lomography.com]
Sent: Dienstag, 24. April 2007 18:15
To: 'Tina Rhomberg'
Subject: FW: Japan Site Problems.
Nicole Bogatitus
Sales Support Manager
Lomographic Corp
20 Jay Street
Suite 314
Brooklyn NY 11201
718-522-4353 ext. 202
nicole@lomography.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Peta [mailto:utopia4@ihug.com.au]
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 10:24 PM
To: customerservice-usa@lomography.com
Subject: Japan Site Problems.
Hello,
I was all excited to buy my LCA deluxe pack from your site but was
unable to for the below reasons.
I'm an Australian living in Japan and as soon as I tried to buy from
your lovely English site it directed me to your Japan site... There
are many problems for me with this...
a) Site is completely in Japanese - no English alternative - you
might be cutting of a rapidly developing market of foreigners who
come to Japan to teach English etc...
b) LCA's are sold out at the Japan store so I have to wait.
c) They don't sell the pack I wanted (deluxe pack with colour flash).
d) It's more expenisve than the US store
e) I don't think they offer free shipping
f) The instruction manual offered here is in Japanese. I require English.
Am I able to buy an LCA+ from one of your English speaking stores? As
I would much rather receive a quality camera than risk purchasing
from E-bay.
Kind regards,
Peta Sasaki
2007/05/01
Usability Testing Video
After a rough start it seems that my video testing is now complete!
I really learnt a lot about the ways in which people surf sites and I realised that some people have some quite strange ways about completing straightforward tasks...
I will be continuing to work on my assignment for the rest of this week...
:)
I really learnt a lot about the ways in which people surf sites and I realised that some people have some quite strange ways about completing straightforward tasks...
I will be continuing to work on my assignment for the rest of this week...
:)
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