Week # 4A : Web Design & Brand Aesthetics

Two websites that need improvements:

1. Penny Juice  

# The first thing I found a BIG mistake on their front page is about FlashPlayer (shown as below). I had to take another step to enter the site or just give up and forget about it.

How to improve: I guess that they built it a long time ago and it's time to update to be a responsive website for any kind of format.  

# After choosing the right platform, I got to see their second page with vibrant color and designs. However, I still didn't know exactly what they're doing or what the product they're selling.  Then I had to choose from those 5 links.

How to improve: At this point, they should give an initial information about the company by adding either a company's tag line or a short company's description here.  It's very important to inform the visitor who you are at the very beginning of the site.

# The worst thing happened when I clicked one of those links to find out more about the company and now my patience was totally gone!  I just couldn't force myself to read what they had on the page.

How to improve: Due to contrasting colors and alignments, they can easily design with only one simple color for its background and then separate contents by using paragraphs to make it easy for the reader to follow the page.

2. Arngren

# The word that came to my mind when I opened the website is a "MESS".  Sorry for such a strong word but it is unorganized, confused and full of difficulties with many links on the left.
How to improve: They need to reorganize their pages by having main product categories that link with many products listed after that.

# I felt like playing a jigsaw puzzle to find a piece of information I needed, for example, a company's contact information.  If you're lucky enough, you would find it 😅😅😅
How to improve: The main problem is that there are so many things going on their page.  They need to make the important content stand out and catch the reader's eyes.

# I was so shocked to see "Christmas" banner at the bottom of the page.  It shows that they don't update their website at all.
How to improve: The easiest way to improve this issue is just taking away the banner since it doesn't add any value on the website at all.

Two websites that have done right:

1. Riverside Art Center

# First impression is their "subscription" pop-up page.  It's a call for action button that helps remind a visitor to sign up for their email list.

# I like the design since it's very simple, clean, and organized.  They separate the contents on the front page by using two colors, orange and green which are related directly to their logo.

# The menu bars on the top of the page contains detailed information for whatever a visitor wants to find out about them.  

# They even promote their Facebook page and encourage a visitor to "Like" it immediately.

2. Apple

I do believe that over 80% of our classmates would choose Apple as a great example of all.  Who doesn't like Apple?  Even checking on their website, it already convinces me to buy a new iPhone8! How does Apple website really influence me?

# A well-designed website is the main reason here.  It looks modern and makes you feel like you're a next generation of the future if you use Apple's products.

# The website has a great friendly user interface.  It's easy to navigate the site even for the first time user.  

# They use high-resolution pictures to show their products.  They don't need to put much information to describe what the products are since the pictures say it all.  

# Their design aesthetics really make me trust the brand and definitely influence credibility in their products.