iMET 9 Tool Training

282 Strategies for Application and Presentation

Exploring and Interpreting DESIGN AS COMMUNICATION
February 17, 2007

By looking critically at the ways organizations represent themselves online, you can better understand how design communicates. In a group of 2-3 people, explore the three web sites below (10 minutes each). During your exploration discuss and note your answers to the following questions for each site.

• What emotions are depicted or what is the general "tone" of the site?
• Does the site allow you interact beyond reading text?
• Describe the visual layout (order, chaos, stability, excitement)
• Is the navigation consistent and easy to use? If yes, what makes it this way?
• Which elements seem especially convincing, eye-catching, and powerful, why?
• Does the site communicate particular cultural values, stereotypes, or bias?
• What might have been avoided during the creation of the site?
• What is your overall opinion of the site design and why?

Web sites

Be prepared to share and discuss your findings.