Final Design for Web Crit

Our final web crit followed the same structure as our final print crit. We were dived into groups A & B. We placed our work out onto the table in order for the other group to anonymously form constructive responses to our work and ideas so far. As part of this exercise we were also encouraged to ask specific questions which we wanted feedback on. As my content was not finished and I had only achieved a very basic website structure so far, I directed my questions more towards the aesthetic elements such as type, navigation and colour.

Alongside my current website which was still a work in progress, I placed a range of scamps and thumbnails on the table for my peers to have a look at. This was to gather feedback on other possible layout preferences. Some of these scamps are shown below:

My three questions:
1. Do the buttons work with my concept, or are they too big/too fancy?
2. Is the navigation appropriate? Would another layout be better?
3. At the moment, my website is plain black and white, however I am intending to include vibrant and bold colour. What colour scheme do you think would work best?

The responses I received were all clear and constructive. This really helped to decide how I wanted to develop my website from this point.


My feedback:

• I think that your buttons would probably benefit being smaller as at the moment they appear more like titles on a page due to their size.
• keep the navigation where it is! It's very easy to navigate around which is what any user on any website would want. Let the art be the unusual thing.
• Colours of Morocco? Try finding a Moroccan colour palette and colour picking colours from there for authenticity - and then translating these into the nearest web-safe colours you can find?
• I don't think you need the line down the centre of the page. It is easy to see that the page is split into two columns without using this. The line also splits your navigation bar in half, with no reason.
• I would also maybe choose sans serif fonts for your buttons/ body copy. This would allow for these elements to support your images of Moroccan art without trying to take away from them. In simpler terms, let the art be the only ornate things on each page, so that these stand out.

• I think it works. Although the buttons are big, they are still simple and break the page up. I like the way the lines appear on the top and bottom of the buttons also.
• I like the navigation where it is. Your thumbnail number 3 looks really good too, although I don't know how easy that would be to code.
• Have a look at design.seeds.com for help with your colour. I think beige and red when I think of Moroccan.

• I think you have done a good job so far regarding getting used to the coding process. I agree that number 3 on your proposed thumbnails would work very well aesthetically. 
• Perhaps adding in vivid photographs of this art, from mosques and tiles etc, would help to make the pages pop as well as digitally rendered examples for explanation.
• Photoshop your images to make them more vivid and save them as png's - (could be used as background images).
• I think the type used in the navigation bar is not bad, however, using something more minimal and modern may help gain interest. (dafont.com is good for type) -- Keep it up!

• In a word, yes! Maybe widen the spacing between the letters and make them smaller for a more contemporary look.
• It's more functional where it is but I really love the centralised design you've drawn - I would go with that!
• Pick colours from your research - (peach, gold, turquoise, brown) it might be nice just to use these as a background colour and keep the text black?
• Try a different typeface for your body copy - go onto GoogleFonts -- they're all web safe and have instructions on how to install.

• Who would the user be contacting? Is this suitable?