Module 4
As I look at many Flash websites on the internet I seem to visit more sites that I don't enjoy compared to those that I do enjoy. It seems that many web designers get carried away with so much novelty using animation and sound that the site actually distracts the user and turns them away immediately. I have just visted Monterey Bay, the National Geographic website recommended in the course notes but I really did not enjoy the way the information was presented. I found the information difficult to read and it took some time to figure out how to access more and go under the sea, so maybe I am not the audience the site was designed to appeal to.
NASA also likes to create Flash websites with lots of animation and space sounds. Much effort has been put in by the designers to create real life space experiences with interactive activities for users to feel like they actually are in space or seeing space from a spaceship. Many of these materials make exciting interactive educational materials.
After searching the internet I have chosen the following websites to show my interpretation of "the good" and "the bad". I will let you determine which is which.
Activity 4.1
Site Title: Cabana
http://www.cabanacriacio.com
Sponsoring Organisation:Cabana
Author:. Pablo Cabana
Commercial Site
Last visited: 7th October, 2009
Brief Description of the site and its contents: This is a commercial brazilian website displaying the work of the advertising, marketing and web design company Cabana. It is a very classy site and links to a nice portfolio of websites designed for clients. It is interesting to see the different types of experiences it offer the users before entry. They also use a novel preloader while the site is loading.
It is an entirely Flash based website. It loads quite quickly, is very functional and easy to navigate. It showcases the work of the designers admirably. There is music that plays a unobtrusively in the background and an audio control is provided. Interesting to note the audio button does not work on all pages which shows the difficulty in controlling audio throughout flash websites. The site looks very schmick and not that difficult in design.
The images are externally streamed which cuts down on preload time and also enables better quality images which load on demand. The website would achieve it's objective of marketing their business and selling their product.
Site Title: Surfing the Seagrass
http://www.reef.crc.org.au/seagrass/kidszone/kidszone.html
Sponsoring Organisation: DPI Seagrass Unit, Bentley Park High School, Cairns
Author: AgencyNet
Designed by school students
Last visited: 7th October, 2009
Brief Description of the site and its contents:The importance of seagrass habitats and the management and protection of these marine environments became the focus of an educational website produced for 5–15 year olds by the students. Selected students were then invited to address an audience at the site launch during an International Seagrass Festival.
This website is most impressive given the ages of the students and the quality of the final presentation which demonstrates the potential of using Flash in the school curriculum. The content is very clear, well laid out and easy to read. The site, developed by the students, is easy to navigate. The audio are used appropriately, although at times a little noisy and does not distract the user. Simple design but effective.
Site Title: Sour Sally
http://www.hellosoursally.com.html
Sponsoring Organisation: Sour Sally Yoghurt
Commercial website
Last visited: 7th October, 2009
Brief Description of the site and its contents: A site developed for the frozen yoghurt company. This is a different and fun website. However does it achieve it's goal? Who are the audience? On the website you move Sally through a visually appealing environment which is a bit of fun. On the journey you learn about the company's products. However what is the company? Where is it? Obviously not in Australia. However you can only smile as you move through the site.
Is this a good website? It was nominated for the 2008 Webby awards.
Site Title: Subspecies
http://www.subspecies.co.uk/
Sponsoring Organisation: Subspecies Evolution Revolution
Last visited: 7th October, 2009
Brief Description of the site and its contents: An interesting site. Get ready for a Flash Revolution. I am still trying to guess the goals and audience of this site. One thing for sure it certainly demonstrates many flash techniques used to the extreme.
This site also was nominated also for a Webby award.!
Go to Activity 4.2