Horrible photography, snippets thrown seemingly haphazardly (that destroys eye flow) on the front page, pointless colored text that I assumed werel links (and aren’t), and a minimalist theme that looks like every other minimalist theme. What is there to like about this?
This is probably one of the best examples of a misappropriated design solution.
“Snippet Blocks” (let me borrow tdub’s definition for awhile) are an old approach in print, but the designer didn’t pull it off properly on this site for several reasons. One of which is that this approach often used as a blog roll layout, so users expect each snippet block – and their headers – to lead to a specific page.
The other mistakes are more fundamental: poor contrast, very confusing layout (why did the dates not create a more distinct separation? i.e. cutting through the entire width of the page for example), unclear hierarchy of headers, etc.
It might look pretty at first glance, but It doesn’t work at all.
I think if the designer/developer of this site takes on board some of the comments above they could really turn this site around. There are valid points made regarding flow, contrast, photography, etc.
That being said I really like the style of the site.
Love the “snippets” layout. I feel this makes the very short bits of information easily digestible (not everything has to link to another long article all the time). This works very well for the subject matter of the website.
The shop page is excellent and makes the products look great. The filtering system they have here is very slick (nice bit of Javacript there dev!).
The site is minimal and this can often create a very generic feel but there are a number of little touches which create personality. Good job
@dudeydudeydude
I always read your comments because I agree with most of them, but I have to ask… Are you mad at the world? Some of the stuff you say makes you sound like a dick. Lighten up a little.
Yes, the photos aren’t good which is a turn-off, but the shop page is pretty sweet.
I don’t think dude ever has anything positive to say “it’s easy to criticise and harder to recognise”.
For me, removing all the fundamentals of layout etc…
This site disappoints on ONE front, the lack of BRAND IDENTITY!
The ‘logo’ which is one element of a brand hasn’t been applied accordingly. The designer has set him/herself a wonderful palette to work from within the logo and then failed to apply any of the elements to pull the ‘BRAND’ together…
For me this is one of the major concerns in the ‘web world’ peoples need for information is diluting the power of a brand.
@ed, The purpose of the comments section here is to give praise and critique by people who, for the most part, are “in the industry”. There would be no other logical reason for it otherwise, unless Nick (site owner) wanted a big circle jerk, which I doubt. DDD (and even myself, to an extent) critique things pretty harshly. Speaking only for myself, I do this for a very specific reason, and that is because anyone who thinks the users and clients designers work with are fluffy little pink clouds who will always agree with your “vision”, have a serious skew of reality. Harsh critique makes designers stronger. Quite a lot of the time, the developer or designer who created sites that are featured here see these comments. Every once in awhile, the smart ones follow our critique and make their site better. Most of us know what we’re talking about, and give intelligent suggestions for improvement. Those who don’t know what they’re talking about are pretty quickly identified as such and usually drop off the comments section within a few site features.
@Carl:
Be fair mate. You know I heap praise when I see an excellent site. It’s just that those sites have been so increasingly rare on this gallery for quite some time.
@Ed:
The guy who I considered my mentor always said to us (about critique): “Be thankful. It means somebody gives a shit.”
This website is great: the typography, color, navigation, structure. Only the gray color in text could be more stronger for reading.
What I can’t believe here is you negative comments around every website. This website is better than your personal websites. I understand when you give constructive critics but not envy and jealousy.
16 Comments
Horrible photography, snippets thrown seemingly haphazardly (that destroys eye flow) on the front page, pointless colored text that I assumed werel links (and aren’t), and a minimalist theme that looks like every other minimalist theme. What is there to like about this?
This is probably one of the best examples of a misappropriated design solution.
“Snippet Blocks” (let me borrow tdub’s definition for awhile) are an old approach in print, but the designer didn’t pull it off properly on this site for several reasons. One of which is that this approach often used as a blog roll layout, so users expect each snippet block – and their headers – to lead to a specific page.
The other mistakes are more fundamental: poor contrast, very confusing layout (why did the dates not create a more distinct separation? i.e. cutting through the entire width of the page for example), unclear hierarchy of headers, etc.
It might look pretty at first glance, but It doesn’t work at all.
This is retardedly frustration to navigate and use, dudey sums it up perfectly. I do quite like the branding though
I think if the designer/developer of this site takes on board some of the comments above they could really turn this site around. There are valid points made regarding flow, contrast, photography, etc.
That being said I really like the style of the site.
Couldn’t agree less with the coments above.
Love the “snippets” layout. I feel this makes the very short bits of information easily digestible (not everything has to link to another long article all the time). This works very well for the subject matter of the website.
The shop page is excellent and makes the products look great. The filtering system they have here is very slick (nice bit of Javacript there dev!).
The site is minimal and this can often create a very generic feel but there are a number of little touches which create personality. Good job
I feel the design could have been more userfriendly
@dudeydudeydude
I always read your comments because I agree with most of them, but I have to ask… Are you mad at the world? Some of the stuff you say makes you sound like a dick. Lighten up a little.
Yes, the photos aren’t good which is a turn-off, but the shop page is pretty sweet.
@ed
I don’t think dude ever has anything positive to say “it’s easy to criticise and harder to recognise”.
For me, removing all the fundamentals of layout etc…
This site disappoints on ONE front, the lack of BRAND IDENTITY!
The ‘logo’ which is one element of a brand hasn’t been applied accordingly. The designer has set him/herself a wonderful palette to work from within the logo and then failed to apply any of the elements to pull the ‘BRAND’ together…
For me this is one of the major concerns in the ‘web world’ peoples need for information is diluting the power of a brand.
Just my pennies worth…
@ed, The purpose of the comments section here is to give praise and critique by people who, for the most part, are “in the industry”. There would be no other logical reason for it otherwise, unless Nick (site owner) wanted a big circle jerk, which I doubt. DDD (and even myself, to an extent) critique things pretty harshly. Speaking only for myself, I do this for a very specific reason, and that is because anyone who thinks the users and clients designers work with are fluffy little pink clouds who will always agree with your “vision”, have a serious skew of reality. Harsh critique makes designers stronger. Quite a lot of the time, the developer or designer who created sites that are featured here see these comments. Every once in awhile, the smart ones follow our critique and make their site better. Most of us know what we’re talking about, and give intelligent suggestions for improvement. Those who don’t know what they’re talking about are pretty quickly identified as such and usually drop off the comments section within a few site features.
Oh my word. Get over yourself!
Yep, photography let’s the design down. Shame.
@Carl:
Be fair mate. You know I heap praise when I see an excellent site. It’s just that those sites have been so increasingly rare on this gallery for quite some time.
@Ed:
The guy who I considered my mentor always said to us (about critique): “Be thankful. It means somebody gives a shit.”
@dude
Ok fair point, I stand corrected
Nice design, poor IA. Shop JS is a treat.
I found this site frustratingly hard to read. The lack of structure to the content didn’t help with flow of content at all.
Probably should be simplified in layout.
This website is great: the typography, color, navigation, structure. Only the gray color in text could be more stronger for reading.
What I can’t believe here is you negative comments around every website. This website is better than your personal websites. I understand when you give constructive critics but not envy and jealousy.