Good & Bad Websites

We have been the set the task to collect a list of websites that we like and don't like. I will look at the format, the ease of use, how engaging it is the presentation amongst other things. I will identify the pros and cons, and make noted on how they could be improved.

Like

http://leeds.get-baked.co.uk

http://www.carnationgroup.com

Carnation Group are a design agency, their website is very interactive and visually exciting

As you scroll down the page you have the option to pan across interfaces. Like above the

arrows can be clicked on to see other recent news. I like how playful the website is, there 

are lots of things to interact with.

Although there is quite allot going on, on the site its not too over crowded.

I like the use of the tiles to navigate through the recent works. It allows you to 

read a snippet of each case study. They have used quite a complex layout which

makes the website more fun to use.

http://www.soupagency.it/#services

I really like the SOUP website. Once again this is for a design agency that cover

quite a range of sectors in the design industry. I really like the simplicity and style

of the site. They have used a bold but simple colour scheme that works really

well to give contrast. The page is interactive too which makes you want to explore 

the site further. 

There are a some nice features on this site. I like when you hover over the circles it
reveals the work they have done. Then when you click in it the page makes a transition
to the case study in a smooth stylish way.

http://www.equ.com.au/#!/

 The first thing I like about this website is the introduction. They have created an entertaining
animation that sets the scene for the website. It has been made really well and instantly
creates interest in the company.

 The site is really interactive and the background moves also. They have even included
sound effects to go with the site. It is really easy to navigate around too as they have
used a simple layout.

 I also like how when you click on a link it doesn't direct you to another page
the page just makes a transition sliding the new information onto the page. Even
the separate icons come flying in which is visually engaging.

http://weightshift.com/

Weight Shift are another design agency. I love the simplicity of the website it is structured
well and is easy to navigate. They only have a limited amount of options which makes the site
really easy to understand. They have used a clean crisp layout and colour scheme which makes
the company look smart, modern and stylish.

They have some nice visual material as well like the image above. This is showcasing some
of there work which instantly adds interest. They also have the arrow options either side
which allows you to transition through their work and clients.

http://loulouandtummie.com/

I love the site of Dutch Illustration Duo Lou Lou  and Tummie. They use bright bold
colours and interesting textures and patterns. their website is also interactive with moving parts
and flashing lights. I think this makes it more interesting and engaging. They have used a simple
but effective column layout . I like the photo montage that appears on the top of the page too
this immediately shows the view what they are about.

I like how their work is presented in this section its easy to look at and shows
aspects of every illustration. It looks exciting and stands out which is a good aspect
when creating a website that encourages the viewer to keep looking.

http://www.apple.com/uk/

Dislike

http://www.5safepoints.com/

I found this driving school website in America.

This has to be one of the worst websites ever. The page scrolls down for ages for no reason.

The layout is appalling there are random long text boxes half way down . I am really not fond

of the color scheme either. They have used loads of clashing colours and have not really

been very creative with the typography.

There is also some random guarantee that floats around the page for no reason too
this just looks tacky, they have not even cut the shape out as it has a white square border that 
sits behind circular shape.

http://ronoslund.com/

 

I think this says it all. The site is disgusting most of the backgrounds are horrible tiled images
He has used bright text that follows no colour scheme. The links are spread out everywhere and the
majority of them dont work. There is no clear layout and it is also quite hard to understand whats what.

This is an example of one of the worst pages still under construction. The background is hideous for
a start and makes it really difficult to read any text on it. There is also some floating tacky white text
moving from side to side.

http://www.dokimos.org/ajff/

This website looks like sick. It is awful the rainbow background moves across the page
which makes it hard to read anything and will most definitely give you a headache. This acid trip 
jesus website is the ugliest thing I have seen. Nothing is clear on the page. It is difficult to 
understand what to click on.

http://www.miauk.com/default.aspx

Although the layout of the website isn't majorly terrible, it is let down by the fact
that none of the links work what so ever, which makes the site pretty useless. To improve
the layout I think it needs centering as it looks out of place on the left hand side.

http://www.fabricland.co.uk/

Here is another terribly designed website.They have used loads of tacky GIFS on the site
like the flags and mail box, which just makes the page look cheap. There is far too much going
on and the layout is shocking. There is a really thin menue bar down the side with text in all
sizes. This makes the site allot of effort when your trying to find the right section. The colour
scheme is also really tack and garish.

Packaging Crit

Strengths

• Good net choices - links in with eh speakers
• Works well as a set - Speakers and Subwoofer
• Colour scheme looks good
• Interesting design
• The matchbox format works well
• Well constructed
• Good logo Design
• Consistent use of stock
• Peaker format adds interest and interactivity.
• Liked the unstuck match book cover. Makes you feel inclined to make it yourself
• Stock suitable for the design, foldable yet remains sturdy

Areas for Improvement

• Textured stock would of reflected speaker cab more
• 2 colour scheme might add more interest
• Do the products relate to the size of the nets, could be increased in size
• 2 colour scheme, could add another colour?
• Maybe more appropriate colour would of been grey or something that reflects speakers better
• Maybe try a different range of nets, all look very well designed but too similar in shape and size
• Use more colours

Considerations

• Use different colours
• wider range of nets sizes and shapes
• Really good use of stock
• Strong paper holding packaging together
• Would use a warmer colour, blue looks a bit like stationary packaging
• Overall very well designed
• Does the colour reflect the speaker concept
• Matchbook could of been decks to complete the set
• Is the colour appropriate to the product
• The 2 tone designs is visually stronger than the editions using only 1 colour

Summary

Overall I am happy with the feedback it was mainly positve, the group liked the concept and the style of designs. Regarding the comments on colours, the darker blue was used as that is the official Logo colour. I do agree that maybe adding another colour could work well, I think it could make it visually stronger. I would also like to try different nets as all of mine were fairly similar. It could be interesting to look at other shapes other than rectangular shapes.

Software Workshop 2 - Mike Flower

Photoshop

Gamut warning to check printable inks in CMYK mode.

Change the colour values with the saturation levels bar

Proof colours makes it suitable for CMYK useful if adjusting

the image. Visual representation of how it will be printed

To clear the swatch palette hold alt and click on all the swatches

Save this. Then click replace swatches to open the empty swatch palette

Lab Color Mode (LAB) is an alternative colorspace that enables you to manipulate the luminosity and colour of your images more flexibly and powerfully than when working within RGB.

• Dramatically alter the contrast of an image without affecting its colour balance or saturation.
• Increase the saturation of an image with less image noise and cleaner colour separation than when working in RGB.
• Alter the tone and colour balance of your images by adjusting the ‘a’ and ‘b’ channels within LAB.
• Invert specific colours and colour ranges using the Curves tool within LAB.

If the colour cant be printed click on the ! triangle to find the nearest printable colour

IF you have created a document for print Convert to CMYK before you

transfer it to any other program or print it off.

To use spot colours click on the foreground colour then 

open the option Colour Libraries to get a list of spot colours

and pantone libraries

Monotone

Duotone  - only available in grayscale

Play with the duo tone curve to edit the colour values

Colour values will be saved when transferring into Indesign

not as many saving options with duo tone

Channels in photoshop store the colour information

Create new channel - alpha channel you can play 

with the colour values.

Use the paint brush on the spot layer channel to add colour to

specific areas

Short Cuts

D - reset back to black and white

X - Switches between the 2

Alt and Backspace - Black

Command and Backspace - White

Print Process Presentation - Amber

Software Workshop 1 - Design for Print

CMYK - Subtractive colour model - Process Colours

Transparent Inks ( Colour Overlay range of colours )

Black is added afterwards for darker shades.

Neutral Grey Background is best for working with colour specific work.

It won't effect how the work looks.

Adding Colour - This can be done using the colour swatch panel

When creating your own colour scheme. Go into the colour pallet menu

Select all unused Swatches and delete them

Registration Marks for Printing

To mix own colours with the CMYK values. Go into the 

palette options and click show options. This will bring up the

colour values.

To Create a New Swatch click the option in the menu

You can rename if you like but its better to leave

it as the colour values as good practice

To confirm we are working in the right colour mode

check the colours by clicking the small list option

in the menu, this will show each colour by its value and

colour mode.

To Make a colour scheme in the swatch panel click

add selected colours / add all used colours

To change the swatch colour, double click on the

swatch menue to change the values.

If the global box is checked  it means that changing the colour of the swatch will 

change every object of that colour. If its unchecked there is no link

between the objects and swatch. This is good for changing full colour schemes.

GLOBAL - LINKED

NO GLOBAL - NOT LINKED

Today we are looking at how to set up an illustrator document from scratch

specifically for print. We are looking at creating colour swatches and playing with

the palette.

Global Colours allow you to make tints. The colour ink values stay

the same but you can change the shade. To add the tint to the 

scheme just click create new swatch in the menu.

Here are a selection of tints. You can see the tint value

in the menu on the right. You can change the swatch whenever

if you are not happy with how its looking

Spot Colours

A spot colour is a ready mixed ink that applies that colour. Spot colours

are cheaper as CMYK takes 4 inks and plates. Spot colour - 1 ink 1 plate.

Spot colour allows consistency also. You cant mix the colour wrong because its

all ready  correct. Items that have a world wide status like Heinz Beans will be printed

all round the world. So in order to get the packaging the same all round the world

a spot colour will be used for the packaging.

Pantone Swatches are used in the UK and in other places round the world.

To access pantone spot colours on illustrator use the swatch menu

as shown below.

The spot colour library is linked to the stock it will be printed on.

Always take this into account when designing for print.

Mainly using solid uncoated at the moment.

To find individual pantone colours from a swatch book. 

Type the code into finder bar

To add this to the swatches click add to swatches.

NEVER CHANGE THE NAME - printer won't know the name

To save the swatch palette. Click the option in the drop down menu

Save as AI for just illustrator swatches
Save as ASE - allows you to open the swatches in other programs - save
in a folder that is not the illustrator folder. - Create a separate folder
Tints will not be transferred!

Click load swatches in external program to use them ( In design, Photoshop... )