Competitive analysis

Student Portfolio

richardfoley.co.uk

The website is clearly set out and takes advantage of a two column layout. Visual content is consistently at the top of the page spanning across both columns leaving the bottom half of the page for explanations and other text. I feel the space could be used slightly better. Whilst it is advantageous for the viewer who only wishes to see pictorial content people may have already clicked elsewhere before they have reached the text.

The body text throughout the website is rendered in a large typeface which takes up more space. By reducing the default type size more graphical content could be added keep the viewer interested.

Content has been split into two quite definite spaces, Web and Print. This allows the user of the website to quickly navigate to content they want. It is easy for the viewer identify which section of the website they are currently looking at from the breadcrumbs at the top of the page. However; once three levels into the website (from the home page) it is not possible to return to the upper page without using the main navigation. I think a great opportunity has been missed to add hyperlinks to the breadcrumb system which would further aid the user.

Professional Portfolio

thedesignmechanics.com

Throughout The Design Mechanics website there is reference to the portfolio, giving snippets of visual content. It attracts the user’s attention and entices them into the full portfolio.

The website is quite dynamic with visual content changing on the front page. Into the actual portfolio like richardfoley.co.uk the content is split between web design and print design to allow their customers to see the type of work which is required for them.

It is obvious from the portfolio that only selected designs have been entered into the public portfolio. This creates a very dense image regarding the high quality work which the company undertakes.

The work is displayed in a very clean, clutter free way making excellent use of the light box effect. This adds interaction between the user and the website, users are more likely to stay on the page than a static page simply because ‘it does something’.

The large white spaces around the content in the content viewer allows users to look at the work without distractions of other colours and articles.

This website has made use of hyperlinks within the breadcrumbs which aids users’ navigation around this large website.