9.28.06
Lou Fuiano
WDS Fall 2006
Duff
UArts Radio | Site Research2
Site design research | REDUX
I'm not gonna lie to you; this is an overwhelming task. Research for web design is so vast it's incomprehensible. Understanding what is useful and engaging and what is not. So, I decided to do it in small, albeit naive, steps.
On the bright side, when you begin to look at enough stuff, you can see groupings of styles and similarities. At least in the sites that are trying to function in the spirit of Steve Krug's guidelines. Web design as an art form needs a whole new research.
Once I got into looking at music and radio sites, I found tons of similarities. Most were just trying to sell downloads. Some better than others. At that point, I started looking for what I liked and didn't like. Can I get to the music without signing up? Was it a useful interface? Did it make me feel smart? Was it dedicated to listening? Did the look of the site draw me in?
ABOVE For music sales and listening, I liked PANDORA. This was an interesting experience in that it functioned in a unique way. You enter a request, and it gives you music that is close in style and sound. Basically, instead of selecting a genre, it creates one based on your initial request. In addition, it gives you a set of similar music to try. While I did not get exactly what I was looking for, I was able to stop and listen and explore. I didn't have total control, but that's what my own collection is for. Plus, I really like that it just played stuff. Also, the interface brings up the artwork and song info while it plays the tune all the way through. After a few tunes, you are prompted to sign in. Make no mistake, this is in place to sell popular product. The screen rotates ads while the player is up. While I did find some very obscure historic stuff, I wasn't able to find new and obscure music unless it had strong label support. All in all, a useful listening interface.
ABOVE There was no shortage of sites selling digital media. Some equipped with players, a huge data base and streamlined design. Others put their genre up front in heavy handed graphics and images. In fact, ROCK.COM allows you to create a rock.com e-mail addresses. So you got that goin' for you. It has loads of rock news, but ironically, no free music. At least, not that I saw. Again, I don't want to sign in, I just want to tune in.
RIGHT The WXPN site was loaded as they are the juggernaut of listener supported radio. This is an ambitious site. It promotes their new venue, the acts appearing, the radio shows, the community, pod casts, etc. Is this a RADIO site? It felt a little over grown. More like a restless attempt to be all things to all people. I wanted radio. Can I get some streaming music here?! ...please.
BELOW That said, WKDU was more like what I was looking for. It felt personal, like something put together by a group of friends. And.. it was incredibly easy to use. Select a stream and go. The DJ has a profile so you know what you're in for. KDU has long been able to play whatever they want. There may be hits and misses, but you can always count on hearing small label music or even no-label music. Of course the drawback to DJ's just playing through their record collection is that they narrow the listener base. So be it. Great resource for the adventurous listener. The design was a bit lo-fi, but I got to listen and get a clear feel for what they do. The aesthetic was in the listening. I was happy.
RIGHT The Helots sight is not a site of great significance really, but I like how compact and well organized it is. Plus, I like how you can get everything you need from one window. It delivers an attractive and mysterious look, branding, sound files, gigs, band members and a mailing list sign in. Everything seems to work together with a keen hierarchy.
BELOW This brings me to a site design I've always had a soft spot for. This is basically a brochure sight for a type foundry. It's been up and unchanged since the late 90's. The navigation is in the center bar where rollovers give you a cryptic word of text. Once clicked, it displays various sample displays of a typeface in either the top or bottom. I've always liked the center, horizontal bar. While this is not as straight forward as it can be, I think it was designed at a time when designers were trying to make their users feel smarter, like they were onto something new.
RIGHT | BELOW For clean, grid based order, BAM delivers a very nice site. Rich imagery, well organized navigation, and a color pallette that keeps a low profile. Once inside, things remain consistent. The color and elements never get in the way. The art and images rule the look.
RIGHT | BELOW Design Interact home and interior page.
