Peer Feedback

Usability Assessment

Miriam Cooper’s Feedback for Hazel Mynes - Website

Specific Questions Asked

Can you find what you are looking for?
Is the site easy to navigate? Yes

• At a glance, Hazel’s website is exceptionally well done.

• Her theme and color selection flows throughout her website.

• The font size is readable for the viewer.

• The gutters and leading between columns and lines are in proportion with one another.

• One thing I could say is that when the documents are selected, it opens in a new window,
which might be too many windows for the reader.

• Overall, the resolution is pleasant and can easily be followed throughout her website.

Ivy Koshy’s Feedback for Hazel Mynes – Website

In terms of the website, I absolutely loved the uncharacteristic typeface that Hazel utilized in the
title/heading of the website which reads: Hazel Mynes E-Portfolio. This funky font was
undoubtedly uncharacteristic and unique. In fact, this particular detail of the website instantly
caught my attention right away! Titles that feature unconventional typefaces are a crucial aspect
in the design of any document or project since this physical attribute enhances the aesthetical
appeal of the overall layout.
In addition to that, the type of background that Hazel incorporated into the website was just
visually enticing. I just loved the nature-themed vibe that was manifested throughout each
tab/section of this website. It’s very classy, and flowery landscapes are just breath-taking in
general. Therefore, in my opinion, Hazel definitely has exquisite taste.
Not to mention, I’m also in awe of the image of the lavender colored flowers that was assimilated
with the captions. Lavender is a truly elegant and sophisticated choice of color. I noticed that
parts of the flowers were blurry and other parts of the flowers had more clarity. It’s good that
there isn’t one particular area of the webpage that places a lot of emphasis. If parts of the image
are blurry, and the rest of the image is clear and vibrant, it creates an interesting contrast,
because whoever is browsing through the home-page is not just inclined to concentrate on only
one aspect of the home-page. To a certain extent, there is a kind of balance portrayed in the
home-page with regard to the reader’s main/ central focal point.
I also like that the background image of the daffodils or purple/lavender flowers is horizontally
stretched out. It’s expanded.
The fact that the home-page is also inclusive of a picture of a laptop, and a notebook and pen as
part of the graphic images just below the textbox that says: Information Design and Digital
Publishing is a great idea! This automatically informs the reader or whoever is glancing through
this website, that this project is based on an electronic student portfolio. Anybody looking
through this website would obviously be carried away by the picturesque images of the rustic
countryside and think Hazel might be a gardener or a landscaper. However, because an additional
illustration of a laptop accompanied by a notebook and pen, and a little cup of coffee was
incorporated, no one is really going to be misinformed about the purpose or objective of Hazel’s
website.
In terms of the navigation menu, I noticed that there wasn’t a drop-down menu with additional
links located just below the main tabs. I thought that this was a unique way to structure a website.
Most websites usually encompass a drop-down menu, but this method of formatting the website
tends to be a bit too conventional, repetitive and boring. Therefore, I like that Hazel decided to
just integrate all the documents inclusive of the: sketch, draft 1, draft 2, and the finalized revision
in a horizontal and subsequent fashion. This was also applicable in the case of the letter-head.
However, I didn’t see any slots designated for the memo or project-assessment, so perhaps these
sections should have also been incorporated in the website as well.
I also like that there are two enlarged images of the final draft of the business card and the letter-
head positioned in the bottom half of the page. The clarity of these images is excellent, vivacious,
flamboyant and incredibly colorful.
In the section/page titled flyer, there was a horizontal slideshow that encompassed all of the
documents: planning memo, feedback, and the project assessment. As mentioned above, I love
the idea of what appears to be a horizontal slideshow in which each respective document is
adjacent to the other, and when you click on the actual document, you can zoom in. Hazel has
organized the documents into two different sections which includes: the four stages of the
document and the four stages of the drafting process. I thought that this was a strategic method
in organizing each of the individual projects that she completed on InDesign/Word. However, I
think what would have been more effective was if the sketch/planning memo was consolidated
in one file, ensued by draft 2, the revised draft, the absolute finalized revision ensued by the
project-assessment. Following this technique would make the various sections of the website
look more systematic and orderly. However, the notion of the image of one consecutive
document placed side by side is great. I just think that there could have been a more
methodological way of organizing each respective project. It would be easier for the reader to
navigate/browse through the individual projects if some of the documents were merged
together, for example the: preliminary sketch and the memo/final draft and project-assessment.
One of the aspects in terms of the page about the flyer that I found to be eccentric was the fact
that an image of the third version of the flyer was ensued by a brief description which stated that
an additional draft of the flyer (the finalized fourth draft) would soon be merged within the
context of the flyer section. The caption on top read: final draft coming soon, which was
thoroughly comical. One would typically encounter this type of description in commercials or
advertisements when a guest-speaker announces the fact that another book is about to be
published or sold, which is almost similar to the content presented in the flyer section. However,
I still thought it was innovative to assimilate the title: “final draft coming soon” ………… as part of
her heading for the bottom half of the page.
In the tutorial section, I think that a more striking background image of the lavender flowers could
have been employed. The picture that is currently displayed in the tutorial section is devoid of
clarity, and there isn’t a lot of contrast between this illustration and the color of the textbox that
says: tutorial. The background image corresponds closely with the color of the textbook since
they’re both extremely light shades of purple. Therefore, if a different type of illustration or
photo of nature had been utilized instead, there would have been a more prominent distinction
between the background image and the textbox situated in the middle of the top margin of the
page.
Usability-Testing:
I also like that Hazel included specific instructions which were stated in a description under the
heading/title: tutorial documents and drafts. For example, the following directions were explicitly
stated in each of the pages: please click on each image below to enlarge or open the document.
This is beneficial to the reader since it is user-friendly. Even though the layout of this website is
self-explanatory, the directions that have been implemented at the top of the page is beneficial
to anyone browsing through the website. This is due to the fact, that this explicit guideline will
facilitate the reader in know that she can open or expand each specific document. Now, if there
was only an icon/symbol to represent the varying stages of the documents and draft-process
without a description, the reader or whoever is viewing the website might be confused at first
glance since basic instructions are not communicated to the audience.
The link entitled website is visually enticing and instantly capture’s the reader’s attention. The
background image that is employed within the design of this page is absolutely alluring. I
particularly liked the illustration that was utilized in the website section since the lavender
flowers accompanied by lush green grass is brighter, livelier and more conspicuous in color. This
produces an effective contrast which is imperative in enhancing the aesthetical appeal in any
document associated to digital publishing.
Furthermore, I also like the utilization of horizontal placement markers. These boundary markers
demarcate significant pieces of information since it distinguishes what the documents and draft
processes entail. The dividing lines can also be characterized as a strategic method in creating
the ideal blend of proximity, harmony and balance.
Not to mention, the periwinkle/light-purple themed background that is encompassed within
each individual page of this e-portfolio project causes the entire website to look more unified,
well-integrated, and cohesive since one color scheme is being emphasized or highlighted
throughout the course of this website.
In the brochure section, the graphic illustration of sprawling purple colored grass/field of
lavender flowers is remarkably beautiful. The importation of these specific types of landscape
pictures from Weebly is an excellent choice. Since, we have yet to produce brochures in class,
Hazel had gone ahead and incorporated place-holders for the document section, draft-process
section, and the final draft section which I thought was a great idea. By including place-holders,
she has essentially reserved designated slots in advance so that the only task that is left for her
to do on the brochure page is to just attach the PDF files of her documents/mini-projects from
InDesign or desktop.
In the contact section, the image of an individual’s hand scrolling through a mobile device would
have looked more striking if a layer of the lightest shade of purple had not been embossed on
top of the picture. This is not necessary and as a result of this effect, the imprint obscures the
natural clarity of the actual picture that is originally manifested once the sample image is directly
imported from Weebly. This graphic illustration would have looked far more captivating if the
photo had been devoid of this additional coating.
I’m also contemplating as to whether it is truly necessary to reiterate the details: English 5182 -
Information Design and Digital Publishing into the last page since this piece of information was
already stated in the home-page?
In terms of additional improvements in the last page, I personally think that it would have been
ideal if an “about me” section was inclusive in the bottom section of the contact page. This would
have made the website look and feel more personalized to the reader unless her student e-
portfolio is designed with the intent to look “professional” and is directed towards a target
audience like an employer/contracting agency/corporate jobs. Also, the portrait of Hazel near
the left-hand margin of the bottom page is absolutely lovely. In addition to that, I also like the
selection of typeface/choice of font that was utilized in the bottom half of the contact section.
Furthermore, the copyright details encompassed within the bottom of the contact page ensures
the reader that the website is authentic and original. It also makes the website look more official
to a certain extent. Most importantly, this primary feature makes the overall website look more
certifiable, professional and presentable.