One striking and effective element on the Medecins Sans Frontieres’ web site is the use of large colourful, occasionally changing images; images that are highlighted by the minimal colour used elsewhere on the site. Humans absorb the information in images quicker that they would with words, therefore by implementing this strategy users can accurately and quickly navigate the site. In addition images evoke emotions, engaging the user. Medecins Sans Frontieres’ have used very small file sized .jpgs which allow the user quick access.
Another element that the MSF has used to its advantage is in designing a site where the layout is familiar to online users, a feature that is essential for a rich user experience. The logo is placed to the top left hand side, the information about the organisation is on the left, the interactive elements for the user to access are located on the right hand side of the page, the most recent news is located left of the centre and the search feature is top right. A handy design feature on secondary pages, is the menu to the left which allows you to choose another subcategory without going back a page. One element that is repeated more than once is the ‘donate’ link, which appears on the left menu, the user menu and on the bottom centre of page. Although a little overdone, it is the element the organization wants the user to access.
One criticism of the navigation is the number of very similar areas that could be combined into one section. For example, in the ‘from the field’ section the ‘field blogs’ could be amalgamated with ‘letters from the field’. Overall, however, the MSF navigation works effectively and the simple grey nondescript background with the #ff0000 red used sparingly to highlight important information, gives an understated yet professional finish to the site.
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I agree with Paula.
ReplyDeleteI found the interface design of this site to be structured and laid out well. There aren't too many links on the navigation bar and the blocks of colour, column alignment,white space and padding between elements lead the user around the page very well. The site is simple and clean.
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ReplyDeleteWhen viewing the website again, I was drawn up to the top of the page where the site map is listed. I think this is a great idea and more sites should implement it. Usually site maps are at the bottom of the webpage on the websites that I have viewed, and are often in very small text (like in the website I am analysying (www.peta.org). Something so simple as moving the link to the site map to the top is certainly effective.
ReplyDeleteNext to the site map link at the top is an area where the user can enlarge or decrease the size of the text on the webpage. I think this is a great idea - BUT - if the text is increased susbstantially, elements begin to overlap each other. A great idea, but could be implemented better.