10.3.06
Lou Fuiano
WDS Fall 2006
Duff
UArts Radio | Front Navigation Comps
1.0 | Art & design direction
At this point, I'm still just pulling together a visual presentation. I feel that the radio site should be direct, simple, uncluttered and maybe even kinda fun. In this my first comp, I also wanted it to be visually compelling. This is probably a result of my doing book covers for so long, but I wanted there to be an image or images to lend atmosphere. Hence the "streaming" horizontal image. I also wanted to push student and local activity. That would be accessed when clicking the type "HERE NEW NOW" at the bottom of the site.
In one of the comps, I wanted to try to carry out the reference of a "DIAL". I suppose I like this because it's familiar, but also because I happen to think it's still a great interface (see iPod). However in place of the band select found on a dial, I always liked the idea of selecting a genre. These would be rollovers that would link to a set of choices: Genre by archive, genre by DJ and genre by programing. Still working this out, but with more and more music being listened to this way both on our computers and satellite radio, it makes sense to do it here.
1.1 | Post crit
I tried to make constructive use of the comments from the crit. Not sure if I solved anything, but I like the changes overall.
In the spirit of the radio dial, I used an image of an actual radio. I like the warm look of the cream colored plastic on the digitally rendered field of blue. I'm still working like a book cover designer and not a web page designer. I'm also shaking up much of what Steve Krug talks about, but these things take time. It's the long way around. TTT.
The color buttons were a bit obnoxious, so they're out. I also changed the copy for student work to AUDIO LOUNGE or AUDIO SPACE. It's still not as clear as the Krug-ster would like it, but it's my one extravagance. Okay, maybe not the only one. The radio dial is still a Flash device, this time, it's even weirder. The tiny arrows allow you to scroll and make a selection. Not sure how to code it, but that's the least of my problems.
A suggestion was made to use the image of a record platter in the circle. I went with it. Switched out the image at the bottom for a pair of orbiting speakers and butta-bing! There was another suggestion to keep the large "LISTEN" from the original wireframe, so that's back in place.
Overall, it's an interesting pairing of images, type and navigation, even if it does get a little rococo. When I step back and look at these, I also worry that maybe they are getting too finished or slick for a college radio site, but it's a fun process. I think the next set will be much more spare and function driven. Web stuff still makes me feel like a klutz because I'm so used to print. I'm afraid the only way to get it going is through process, iterations and more time looking at work for the screen.
2.0 | Grid & tabs
A fairly straight forward set up bearing text, play button and a tabular navigation.
3.0 | Across and down
I like the look of these in that they use a vertical and horizontal grid program to organize the information. The heavy horizontal bars across show a clear form of navigation. Mouse-overs change the color as well as reveal a sub-nav. The right hand column displays current and recent play lists.
I prefer that this is not an image driven site, making way for just the radio particulars.
3.0 | What it is
These are a series of comps that just use a simple description and clearly defined links. The big "LISTEN" button is designed to get you in quick. The comp to the right uses color fields to organize the hierarchy. This also has a significant portion of the page that allows for the UArts logo, yet keeping it out of the way.
The "UArts Radio" in color links you to info about the station. Everything else is clearly marked. Word on the street sez we should chuck the nav bar.