Website adress: http://www.prefer.com.tw
I Prefer International Group
Artworks by River Kuo
Website Programming DesignbyFog
TOM SINGLETON
200327414
Introduction
The website is for a Taiwanese fashion designer showcasing work and latest news. The site is built in Flash, and is composed of a variety of simple elements creating a highly effective collage.
Loading Page
The loading page is in my opinion the best feature of the site. It slowly ‘draws’ a scene whilst the page is loading, this scene sets the character of the site. It also creates suspense whilst the scene is being revealed, this immerses people in the experience. This is done by slowly revealing hand drawn sketches, using (possibly) a releasing clipping mask or covering object. This makes the sketches appear to draw themselves. The use of hand drawn images also creates a closer connection to the audience as people can more easily relate to hand drawn work than computer based drawings.
The scene is set on a stage that is larger than screen size, rather than using scrollbars, action scripting (?) is used to move around the screen depending on the movement on the mouse relative to the centre of your window. This is makes the user feel as though they are involved in the site as they can ‘move’ around inside it as opposed to just viewing it.
The content of the scene is composed of images, rollovers, and small animations. They all work together with a collage effect overlayed with varying transparencies. They animation is not particularly detailed but its design suits the style of drawing s animated. The level of detail and finishing of the drawing and animation give the page a scrapbook effect, almost as if we are watching the page come to life.
Main Page
To move to the content of the site you can click on a house ( a button with mouseover animations in front - which part). This takes you into a room with the same scrapbook feel as the loading page. There is a background image which is again is larger than the screen size which you can move around. In front of this image objects are placed as mouseover animations some of which are links, the mouseover also activates a small caption bubble with a description of the content.
On the top right off the screen there is horizontal menu with vertical scroll menus. Upon selection, content appears in a defined area over the background image. The menus are animated to give them movement, each of the images in the collections are rollover images with blur and zooming effects.
This page is a collage of content and a collage of different design tools. Simple animations and movement have been used to great effect to create an immerse site which feels much more immerse and involving than it actually is.
One of the key aspects of the site is that it is fun. There are many elements of the site which have been designed purely to add to the character of the sit and for the user to enjoy. the images below show an example of this in the doorway to the right hand side.
Summary of the key features of the site:
- Scrapbook character makes the site feel personal
- Animation and movement combine to create an immersive environment
- Effective use of varying techniques to create an effective page without overdesign
- Although the page is complex in its number of elements it is clear and effective
- There is an element of fun – a great way to get a positive opinion of your product
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