Blog 15: Cosmic Soda E-Commerce Site

This site, http://www.cosmicsoda.com/product/hello_and_goodbye/, is a fun hip e-commerce site. They take away most forms and show graphics instead. They show a scale going from extra small to extra large.  They show graphics of t-shirts with sizes in them to show what sizes they have and in what styles, 'x'ing them out as they run out of stock. Even the search bar isn't typically.  It is black instead of white and isn't a perfect rectangle. They take needed formatted items and make them apart of their design. They are a little harder to find but since they are large and black they pull you in and because everything is designed it is fun to find.

Blog 14: Atitude Brasil

While looking for web inspiration I found the site http://www.atitudebrasil.com/site/. Although it is not in English I like how it is laid out. It is a little busy but you can get a lot of quick concise information while being both organized and fun. I like that it allows for photos, text, and for a lot of color. Depending on the amount of information it can continue further down the page. There is a lot of structure with a strict grid to help organize the page and all its contents. I don't like that when you click on the links they open in a lightbox and then in a separate window if you want to keep going.  I like the structure of the page but I want the actual content to be able to fit into the structure or adapt to a similar structure not having to open apart from it.

Blog 13: Made Thought

This portfolio site at http://madethought.com/ is really different for a design consultancy site. It is very disciplined and methodical.  It is simple and fairly easy to navigate although the flow of it is slightly unconventional and took me a second to know what exactly got me to their work but after that I realized how it was organized and I could find everything.  I'm not sure its the best way to show your artistic ability but it is well organized and showcases each piece without distractions. It is not good for a quick look at his work because you have to click on each link to see it because there are no thumbnails.  Also the homepage has no obvious link but again it makes you feel like you need to pay attention to what is on the page.  With an all black background and no imagery and links everywhere your attention is really focused on what they want you to focus on. It was also nice because the format didn't have to change and he didn't have to use lightbox or any other galleries to showcase their work at a large scale.

Blog 12: Slider Gallery Tutorial

I found a tutorial on how to make a slider gallery like the one on the apple site at http://jqueryfordesigners.com/slider-gallery/.  The site gives you a video tutorial, gives the html coding, css coding and the jQuery plugins.  At http://jqueryfordesigners.com/slider-gallery/ you can learn how to code for an infinite carousel that slides thumbnails across when hitting arrows allowing you to see several images at a time and then rotating them to see the next set. This would be useful while showing products off, to use in a portfolio, or as a selection menu.  It allows for more interaction and lets a larger amount of images to be shown without cluttering the page.

Blog 11: Principles of Web Design

Smashing Magazine explains some basic principles of web design at http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/01/31/10-principles-of-effective-web-design/.  They explain how users scan websites, don't read them. They are impatient and if expectations aren't met they quickly leave the site.  They don't search for the best way to look for things they just find a link and click. Users also want control, no pop-ups and always have the ability to go back. "According to Krug's first law of usability, the web-page should be obvious and self-explanatory." Words should be to the point, not cute or long but what the user is looking for. And most of all keep it simple and organized.

Blog 10: iMockups for ipad

If you own an iPad it is now easier to design app's.  iMockup for the iPad by Endloop Systems Inc. is designed for web designers to mockup apps for the web, the iphone, and ipad.  There are grids to make wireframes, you can email the png files, and quickly design and collaborate about your creations.

Blog 9: Adobe Digital Publishing Suite

Making digital publications that are interactive for ipads and e-readers is the next big thing.  Martha Stewart's magazine and Adobe published an online video showing off the new technology and what they have done with it.  Check it out... http://www.marthastewart.com/msl-ipad-video. The possibilities are endless for designers with interactive publishing like this. You can download files at http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/digitalpublishing/ to help you make an interactive magazine.

Blog 8: Web Marketing Associations' WebAward: Glidden Website

Hitchcock Fleming & Associates won the Best of Show for 2010 for their Glidden Website, http://www.glidden.com/index.do. Their site is very interactive and user friendly.  When you enter the site a roller paint color in the background of the screen, grabbing your attention immediately.  There are organized swatches, inspiration rooms and other swatches that coordinate with the color you choose, color ideas for what mood you want to convey, etc. You can interact and actually paint a room to see the colors you want in a virtual setting. This site is very friendly to any one looking to paint, helping and guiding them along the way.