Navigation:
Is it easy to navigate or difficult?
Yes, despite seeming like it wouldn’t be because of how different the interface is to other websites, it’s still easy to navigate.
How are you led through the site?
Through the basis of groupings of information and a key/legend at the upper right-hand corner. The entire website is composed of one single image for the background that also helps us navigate through it.
What visual clues are given to tell you how to interact?
The basis of the visual cues are composed of icons. You are give a small preview of what to expect and once you’ve clicked on it; you’re able to see the entire thing. It’s the same thing with being able to mute the sound within the website.
Does the designer use a metaphors to get you to move through the website?
What Kind of metaphors are used? Organizational Metaphors = (organized by type, kind, etc…); Functional Metaphors = performs a “real world” function (in Photoshop you can figuratively “cut” and “paste”) or Visual Metaphors (common graphic elements familiar to most – the traditional “play”, “fast-forward”, “rewind” buttons found on CD players)
This website uses a combination of Organizational and Visual Metaphors. Organizational in that everything is set in groups. And each group has its own purpose for the function of the website. Visual in that there are a lot of common graphic elements that people are familiar with—like the “traditional” media player options.
Information Architecture:
Does the information in the site make sense?
Yes. This is an online portfolio site for this individual by the name of Emiliano Rodriguez. Here we are able to learn about who he is and see examples of his artwork. Therefore, it is if we were seeing his resume.
Can you access the content you want easily?
Yes. The links to the content are precise, responsive, and very easy to spot.
How is the content organized? (By location, alphabet, timeline, category, etc?)
By a combination of location and category. This is what makes this website so easily functional—everything is easily spotted from the moment you access the website.
Is there visual and content hierarchy that allows you to easily understand and access the information presented to you?
Yes. This can be seen by he navigation menus/links that there are in different areas of the website. And that the hierarchy is also present which makes everything seem to work smoother.
Usability
Is this site easy to use?
Yes it is—extremely easy.
How do the above two concepts, navigation and information architecture, work in terms of making the site usable or not? Do the metaphors make sense with the content?
Both are working together in terms of usability. Because the navigation is so easily recognizable, it allows the viewer to easily find their way around the site. As for the information architecture, the grouping of important information on the basis of categories makes it even easier to know exactly what one is looking for and the fact that the metaphors are solely based on visuals adds to the ease of the website.
Overall- does the site sustain your interest and engagement?
As a designer, yes. For someone who isn’t a designer, it might be interactive but plain at the same time (which could be good).
Meaning-Making: (Narrative and Metaphoric Structures)
In what way is the designer creating meaning in this site?
In that this site is about the individual. It is a portfolio/resume site that is allowing this individual to showcase himself to the online community.
Are they using metaphor? (Remember, metaphor is very common in our experience with computers, sometimes so common we don’t even realize we are using it, i.e. the desktop, cutting and pasting, file systems, buttons, etc.)
Metaphors in the way of icons on a desktop, then yeah. The majority of the website is composed of them. This is evident from the navigation menus.
Is there a narrative, story or event that unfolds over time?
Yes. The narrative is that of seeing this individual and his artwork from beginning, middle, and end.
Is this narrative linear, non-linear, or multi-linear?
The narrative is in a linear fashion.
Reflection of the User:
Is there a reflection of you, as the user, on this site? Does it change according to your specific visit? Do you receive mouse feedback? text feedback? Does the site store any choices you have made? Are you engaged enough in the site to linger and explore.
You mainly receive mouse feedback, especially when you hover over the icons. There isn’t that much more of a reflection of the user.
Transparency of Design:
Does the design of the site lead you to pay more attention to the content or to the design itself? Does the design feel transparent or “natural”, leading you to focus on the content and forget the design completely? Or – Is attention called more to the design itself?
Yes, in fact, the site does pay more attention to the content when it is available. But when it isn’t, there is an equal balance focused on the design.
Does the transparency or lack of transparency of the design make sense with what the site is intending to do?
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