Classic Site....
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- 27 Responses
- ethandmarquis
.... of a print designer transitioning into interactive. Observe the large clunky elements, placement and odd composition. I just can't believe this was approved!
- ethandmarquis0
BTW, the IA is good.
- rson0
I like it.
- ethandmarquis0
Really? It's so large and blocky.
- bumdrizzle0
yep, odd composition is the sole preserve of print designers.
an true interactive designer would never be guilty of such things.
- Continuity0
Whilst it's true that elements are on the bloody huge side (especially input fields and drop-downs), I don't find it all that bad. It's usable.
- monospaced0
Are you just "assuming" a print designer "transitioning into interactive" designed this? Like bumdrizzle pointed out, there's no ground for that kind of stereotype whatsoever. And you even called it "Classic" on that assumption. Tsk tsk...
- Let me clarify. I know the designer. HOw bout that Mr PC?ethandmarquis
- It's still not a stereotype, that's what. I think it's designed quite nicely and serves its purpose than its competitors'.monospaced
- *better than its competitors'monospaced
- Ok, I disagree. Fair enough?ethandmarquis
- of coursemonospaced
- monospaced0
I have to give them mad props for simplifying the site down to five large buttons, a photo a fucking logo. If only other airlines could get around to doing the same.
- Like I said the IA is good. This focusing on design....ethandmarquis
- I think the design is really great. I get ultimate legibility and a strong brand presence. Peacemonospaced
- *focus on design :)ethandmarquis
- That's because you focus on print. I saw your book. It's difficult to switch.ethandmarquis
- rupedixon0
in fact, in my experience, when print designers cross over they tend to do everything tiny...
The classic is free transformed text fields - pixel size on type 12.78 or some rubbish
- Although their typography on the whole tends to be much stronger than digital nativesrupedixon
- which makes perfect sensemonospaced
- My experience tells me it's either too huge or too small ... prob because print dudes know fuckall about pixels!Lillebo
- "FUCK YOU I KNOW WHAT A PIXL IZ" - Mr. PrintLillebo
- ethandmarquis0
I JUST completed a project training traditional designers at Chiat to bring them into the interactive. This is the result (not the Delta site); to be fair, I had the same issue when I transitioned. To clarify, again, the Information Architecture is nice and flows well. The design execution is not to par.
- monospaced0
Are you saying print designers are inferior designers to interactive designers? Really?
- bumdrizzle0
monospaced designs his websites in inDesign and if the little webmonkeys don't like it he has them replaced.
you better fucking recognise.
- not anymore...I learnedmonospaced
- and I never had anyone replaced...I have no right to do such things in my positionmonospaced
- ethandmarquis0
NOOO it's just funny to see the difference. Like I said, I made the same errors when I started. I got he hang of it after a few mistakes. Your stuff is great. I'm just saying that putting your designs in the interactive world won't look at nice – it's a different medium. I'm not trying to offend anybody just point out a interesting pattern. That's all.
- Continuity0
I think you might be a bit harsh on the guy, Ethan. Not having seen the brand book, I can't tell you if the execution lives up to brand spec, but as a user, I really don't mind this design, other than the fact is doesn't feel quite anchored and it's definitely top-heavy (on that first page, anyway). All it needs is a few refinements in the composition to make it feel more solid.
And anyway, let's face it: airline websites are never exciting, and always a pain in the arse to use (I'm looking at you, KLM, Air Canada and SAS).
- Yep I agree. I think the site is held well together by the Information Architecture though. Look at Virgin America's site. I think they had a tight execution on both the design and IA.ethandmarquis
- think they had tight execution on both IA and design. What do you think?ethandmarquis
- Virgin America's site, IMO, suffers from imbalance do to that big whopping promo area on the left, and not enough contrast in the other areas around it. I look at it, my eyes glaze over and I dread ever actually needing to use it.Continuity
- ... in the other areas around it. I look at it, my eyes glaze over and I dread ever actually needing to use it.Continuity
- *due to thatContinuity
- I guess I would've done a full-width hero.ethandmarquis
- Exactly, same here.Continuity
- And I would have added a body background colour to solidify the whole thing, so that the surrounding elements don't look like boxes floating space aimlessly.Continuity
- like boxes floating in space aimlessly.Continuity
- I LOOOVE those floaters ;) You coming down to a'dam?ethandmarquis
- Not until I get a job, mate. Finances can't support me just going without anything waiting for me.Continuity
- Lillebo0
For the record I think ethandmarquis makes an excellent point and I agree completely. There's a "not made with pixel based rulers" feel to it...
That being said, the finished result isn't awful - it's just not that precise.
- I agree. I was pointing out the pattern. Practice make perfect, that's all.ethandmarquis
- I dunno, I guess I feel maybe the web needs a little more of this overallmonospaced
- ethandmarquis0
I just want to clarify that I was surprised that this piece was approved. As a CD myself, I would've pointed out the flaws and had the designer tighten the the overall design. Whatever the branding guidelines might say.
- Continuity0
Looking at it again, if there's one thing that really bothers me about the design it's the the promo area navigation with the sections of images poking out behind the one that's showing. That really throws the composition off.
- Ranger0
Traditional designers being ones who have considered design beyond the confines of screen design at some point in their career?
Good designers will be able to adapt to whatever medium. Sounds like you're talking about one trick ponies who transfer a rigid style to anything. Same goes for designers inexperienced in designing for print making text huge and putting everything in boxes.
The delta site menu looks a little like an iphone app, I'm not sure making the boxes smaller would benefit the user at all though. Looks like my dad could use the site without having to phone me up for guidance.
- d_rek0
I like It.
It Stays.™