As a designer I like this. There’s plenty of inspirational aspects – the navigation modes are cool to play with.
As a user though, it does feel a little cramped and I’d worry about whether some users are going to understand how to navigate around the site. I think I’d rather have the ‘classic mode’ by default so you’re not breaking convention – leave that choice for the user.
Agreed. Sat here for 10 seconds trying to use my scroll wheel before I realized I had to switch modes. I like certain elements but overall its just lacking in usability a bit, a little bland(for my taste), and the lack of contrast.
Hey guys, it’s Olivier, from Kettle (the guys who made TheyMadeApps).
I believe that the default behavior is to get the regular scroll wheel navigation mode. Keyboard mode is supposed to be the cherry on the cake for the daring ones, but only accessible if the user makes a conscious decision to use it.
Let me look into this with our development team. Thanks for the feedback!
Definitely unique and neat idea! But, it took me way too long to figure out how to switch to scrolling mode. It also took me too long to spot the keyboard instructions. I think a better idea would be to have an interstitial modal window upon entering the site to instruct the user on how to use the navigation.
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As a designer I like this. There’s plenty of inspirational aspects – the navigation modes are cool to play with.
As a user though, it does feel a little cramped and I’d worry about whether some users are going to understand how to navigate around the site. I think I’d rather have the ‘classic mode’ by default so you’re not breaking convention – leave that choice for the user.
Usability nightmare!
This would only appeal to the designer in us.
YES the instructions are clearly marked but to ‘joe bloggs’ this would be a potential nightmare to navigate.
There’s too much going on… information overload.
Shame because I like the fundementals this will just lose too many people.
Agreed. Sat here for 10 seconds trying to use my scroll wheel before I realized I had to switch modes. I like certain elements but overall its just lacking in usability a bit, a little bland(for my taste), and the lack of contrast.
Hey guys, it’s Olivier, from Kettle (the guys who made TheyMadeApps).
I believe that the default behavior is to get the regular scroll wheel navigation mode. Keyboard mode is supposed to be the cherry on the cake for the daring ones, but only accessible if the user makes a conscious decision to use it.
Let me look into this with our development team. Thanks for the feedback!
Hum, okay, I forgot that we were working on upgrading the servers before switching that switch I described.
So, coming soon, scroll wheel by default
Definitely unique and neat idea! But, it took me way too long to figure out how to switch to scrolling mode. It also took me too long to spot the keyboard instructions. I think a better idea would be to have an interstitial modal window upon entering the site to instruct the user on how to use the navigation.
Is a project reall particular..but usability? Not so easy!!
@Matt: There is an interstitial in place today, that appears the first time you go on the site in order for you to pick your navigation mode
Still can’t figure out how to scroll through the site, don’t like that. :-/