This report is a critique of the web site for Paul Kahn & Associates
Section 1: DAJ Critique
Describing
The web site for Paul Kahn & Associates is designed to explain the information architecture services provided by this company. The site is visually appealing because of the neat structure of the pages and colors that are used effectively. The web site has a dark grey background that is placed around each of the pages. There are white square and rectangle boxes that contain the main content of the site and important information in each particular section.
The home page has the title “Kahn + Associates visualizing information architecture” that is written in grey text and placed inside a blue rectangle at the top of the page. Two blue circles with “K + A” are beside this rectangle on the grey background at the top of the page. This format emphasizes the name of the company because of the blue color. This color stands out against the grey background and draws attention to the name. Below the name is a thin black rectangle that serves as a navigation bar consistently throughout the site. This navigations bar contains links to the other important sections of the site: services, definitions, experience, conferences, and publications. There are two white rectangular boxes on the home page. One contains text about conferences and an advertisement for a recent publication and the other contains information about a recent project. Also on the home page is a large tan rectangle that contains text that briefly explains information architecture and mentions the services that are provided by the company. Above the text is a light grey graphic of some of the maps and charts that are used in information architecture. Although this graphic is very light, it catches the attention of the user because of the way that it is placed near the important information.
The sub pages within the site contain the dark grey background around the edge of the pages. There are large white rectangles that contain important information about the page. There is also a black navigation bar at the top of each page. The side navigation bars on the sub pages are on grey background and use white fonts. This makes the side navigation bar appear different from the top navigation bar. At the top of these pages are the same two blue circles with the “K+A” placed on the grey background that is also on the home page.
The site uses a variety of colors for text very effectively. The black text is on the white and tan backgrounds. Red text is used as titles and headings for specific sections to draw the user’s attention. White text appears on the dark grey and black backgrounds and links turn to blue when they have been visited.
Kahn & Associates provides information architecture services. They are located in Paris, France. The Internet is the medium used for this web site to attract clients for their services.
Analyzing
This web site uses many of the Gestalt theory principles
such as balance, symmetry, continuation, closure, proximity, similarity, simplicity,
and unity (Chang, 2002). The pages are symmetrical and balanced because of the
size of the rectangles, top navigation bars, and careful use of empty space.
The home page is divided equally between the tan and white rectangles, allowing
the user to move across the page easily. The white rectangles on the sub pages
are right aligned and surrounded by a grey background. All of the information
for these pages is contained in the white sections, except the navigation links.
The white rectangles on the sub pages stand out against the grey background
and are the focal point of attention. The user is inclined to read this information
and is drawn to the red titles to introduce each major section. Proximity is
used by putting like information together on the pages within the site. Similar
information is grouped together and is placed close to additional related information.
Similarity is also used effectively within this site. All of the sub pages look
the same by having a dark grey background, the blue circles, and the white rectangles.
All of the pages use the same colors for the same types of information. Red
is used for the titles and white is used for links. This unity helps the user
understand the meaning of each type of information within the site.
Judging
This web site is an effective communication tool for the intended audience. The web site was created by Kahn & Associates, which provides information architecture services, to attract customers. The layout and presentation of the site is effective because it portrays the culture of this company by organizing the information neatly and efficiently. The clean and simple layout is effective because the audience is coming to this company to help them organize their own information. The choice of colors is appropriate because they symbolize calm organization and systematic structure. The shapes are also carefully chosen and organize the information in a classic way. This web site should be appreciated for its innovative look and orderly style.