Post #2!
The "things people go to the site looking for" list, I feel is very accurate. When I was first starting college and using my own University's website, things like the campuses address, maps, application form and course lists were what I was looking for. I chose to look at the University of Oregon's website and although I like the websites visual mode, there are a few parts of the website that fall into the left side of the comic. They had alumni news, front and center on the page which turns me off from the page because I feel as though most people who go onto the website are not looking for alumni news. The audience is definitely accounted for because when you first go onto the website it has a close focus on new students. Also the page has sports on it which is very particular to the University of Oregon, seeing as it is a very "sports important" school.
I agree with you on the visual mode of the University of Oregon's website. They use their vibrant green that immediately draws the eye in to their slideshow - which is a great use of space on the front page.
ReplyDeleteAlthough they have big headlines that resemble the comic, they also have what the students are looking for. The school's map, library, student website, and calendar are apart of the first row of links. Even though the font is small, it is near the top of the page and reads left to right very simply unlike WSU's zzusis link which is in the far right corner.
Oregon is probably advertising to new students and alumni since once someone is enrolled as a student he/she won't need to look past the first row of links.
I would have to agree with your review on UO's website. Akin to WSU's website, the page features a more visual aspect and features athletics at its forefront. The purpose of the website is not clearly defined, but rather assumed. The audience of the page is also unclear and therefore, the visual elements of the page are focused on more heavily than the subject matter of the page.
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