Website Conventions

TASK: What kind of information determines purpose, audience, and audience needs? 

1) Contrast the PBS site for adults, www.pbs.org, with their site for kids, www.pbskids.org, discussing the following: 

• Purpose of the site: Provide information about the media being consumed for each audience.
• Audience for the site: Adults or Kids
• How the site uses design principles to emphasise purpose and audience: One has straight edges and is formal and simplistic. The other is colourful and has aesthetically pleasing imagery to suggest its audience.

2) Evaluate three music artists' websites for design and content:

https://www.tenaciousd.com/
https://foofighters.com/

http://superduperkyle.com/

Visual Layout

• Describe the visual elements on the home page. What caught your eye first?
• How does the graphic design (balance, emphasis, colour, tone, structure, and so on) communicate the content?
• If there are images on the page, do they add value to the content, or are they for decoration and appeal? If they add value, describe how.
• How well does the layout of text help viewers understand the main points of the site content? Does the text layout and style follow an appropriate structure? If so, how does the structure help viewers understand the content?

Tenacious D

Very colourful and captivating artwork similar to the style of the bands latest album, you also see a cartoon version of the bands members Jack and Kyle. The wild colour scheme suggests that the band and their music will be wild and crazy, non conformist and alternative. The images are both decorative and informative, decorative because they are cartoons and informative because they are a rough idea of what the members look like even if it ins't very accurate. The text layout promotes the new album, and shows you what is available on the site.

Foo Fighters

Black and white theme with hints of red, the central image of Taylor Hawkins and Dave Grohl, the bands most recognisable members is eye catching. The tone and theme of the site create a dark and serious image of the band which, in my opinion doesn't reflect the band that well, they have quite upbeat music and are fun bubbly people when performing. There are decorative and appealing images, the bands members and the logo are the most used images and they let users know the bands members and it's identity. There is a good and unconventional structure to the site which is engaging and interesting.


KYLE

Bright and colorful the first thing to be seen is the artists latest video. KYLE as an artist is very upbeat, rapping about things that aren't usually rapped about, sending out a positive uplifting message which is mirrored in his sight which is bright and upbeat. Many images are for visual appeal just adding to the sites entertainment. In my opinion the site isn't layed out in the best way, there is a structure but there is no task bar so it is difficult to traverse the site but some conventions light merchandise and symmetry are used.

Consistency Structures

• Are any of the elements repeated on subsequent pages? Are the elements decorative or part of the navigation?
• Does the repetition help or hinder the overall purpose of the website?
• How consistent is the use of colour?
• How consistent are fonts and font sizes? In what ways do the text styles vary?

Tenacious D

The site primarily consists of the home page and the other options but the same fonts and central format is repeated throughout all the site, it keeps the theme and navigation of the site consistent and easy to follow. The use of colour is bold and eye catching but isn't very consistent. All fonts and font sizes are either the same or closely similar.

Foo Fighters

Many elements are repeated on many pages, the colour scheme, the bands logo and fonts etc, this repetition is good because it keeps up the groups identity and the tone they are trying to get across. The colour scheme is very consistent, remaining black, white and red. All fonts and font sizes are either the same or closely similar.

KYLE

Some elements can't be repeated on other pages because everything is on the same page, everything is as colorful as everything else on the site. the repetition doesn't effect the site in anyway it just keeps up the theme of site. The color use is very consistent. All fonts are similar size and in the same style and there ins't much variation.

Colour Scheme

• Does the colour scheme add to the purpose or tone of the site?
• How does the colour scheme help or hinder in conveying the purpose of the site?

Tenacious D

It communicates to the audience the bands style and craziness, keeping in with their style and theme as a duo. It helps the site because it's eye catching and vibrant.

Foo Fighters

It shows a dark color scheme which represents that the band are more serious than most but their pop of color shows their adventure and freedom as a band. It helps the purpose of the sight keeping in touch with their roots in that the upbringing of the Foo Fighters was dark.

KYLE 

The colors add the purpose of the site in that they stick with the theme of upbeat and bright which KYLE keeps as a constant in his music. On occasion the sites color can be quite distracting which could distract from it's purpose.

Representation of artists

• How is the artist represented on the webpage? 
• Is there an image of them? Are there lots of images?
• How frequently is their name used?
• Is there a biography?
• What else can we find out about the artist (hobbies, interests, relationships, place of birth, etc.)

Tenacious D

The band are represented in the way they are primarily seen by the public, fun loving, eccentric and exciting. There are no images of the actual band members, just cartoon representations of them, there is only on image of the duo. The name is used frequently, in the top left hand corner of each page. No biography, just used to sell tickets and merchandise.

Foo Fighters

The band are represented in a way to been seen by the public, serious but they have a strong and powerful presence. There are images of the band and their logos to keep up their consistent identity. The band name can be seen on every page which again keeps up this professional and consistent ant identity. There is no bio but many other tabs, there aren't many ways to find out about the band other than their social media.  

KYLE

KYLE is represented in a positive manor and as a down to earth, wholesome man who loves music. There are a few images of KYLE and other artists he has worked with. There is a lot of repetition of KYLE's name which maintains his identity. He has no bio so the only way to find things out about him would be to following his social media.

• What overall impressions are created by the website?
• What is the most effective and least effective sections?
• What can you use from this website when planning your own? What ideas can you incorporate?

Tenacious D

The site represented the band in the way they represent themselves, it was engaging and entertaining to use. The home page, in my opinion was the most effective because of its moving element and captivating cartoon characters. This site makes me realise how important a captivating art style and theme is to keep users interested in the site.