Proposal...
I just wrote up my proposal ideas so basically I know what I would like to propose.
I would like to propose to have a group specifically for writing and editing the content of the web page. Members of the group would be responsible for "spicing" up the dry contents. Also, within this group would be some research where some of the members contact the O'Neill theater to add to the web page. The more information a company has on their web page will only benefit their audience in the future. If a person is just searching the web and finds this web page, they may be intersted in going to a show there. But if the web page looks boring and amateur, the surfer may not want to go further. Thanks.
What I"m interested in Proposing...
I know we discussed what we want to propose the other day in class, but I guess I'll write down exaclty what I feel I could contribute to this project. First, I really like to write and I like to make writing enjoyable to everyone. The content in this web page is very dry. "The O’Neill, one of America’s forebearers in the support of new work for the stage, offers a wide range of programs that are sustained each year by contributions from friends in the theater community and through the generous support of public and private donors." Instead of having such a dry boring sentence like that, why don't we add some fun to it. I am just thinking off the top of my head, but we should make the O'Neill theater sound wonderful. It needs to be a place that everyone must visit like the New York Ballet. I mean I know it's just a small theater in Connecticut but people need to be excited about visiting. So we could say instead of that dry sentence: The O'Neill theater is a lively and entertaining institution located in....The theater uses contributions from friends, public and private donors to enrich the audience in this spectacular.... I mean I know that doesn't sound that great either, but if we could just use some more adjectives to really make the theater sound wonderful.
But besides the content, I would also like to help with anything else. Thanks.
Impression of web page
I finally got this blogger working. After looking over the web site I agree with the many comments we discussed on Thursday. It could be better. The blue background isn't bold enough for a drama organizaiton. Also, the white box in the middle makes the web page kind of look like a 12th grader made it. Furthermore, the pictures were too fast to make them even stand out. But overall, I think the website is just an amateur piece of work. I don't know how to even make my own website so I can't be too critical. But after looking at other theater websites such as the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia (I am from South Jersey so I go to that theater a lot), I realized that their website was not up to par either. Therefore, I believe we can really make their webiste something to look forward to viewing instead of just like all the other theater websites.
A proposal
With my first impressions of the website in mind, I have a few proposals.
First, we have to slow down the changing pictures on the main index page. This should be real easy to do.
Second, and I think Lauren hit on this, a must-have would be rollover text and rollover help for this website. It looks professional enough, but rollover text, in a weird way, gives a site a little more credibility.
Third, let's try to unbury some of the deep content that seems hidden within the multiple pages of the website. There may be some information that O'Neill feels vistors to the site never see and that could be just because it takes a person too many clicks to get to that info.
Finally, let's ask O'Neill what specifics and "nice-to-haves" they would like. I could make a lot of recommendations, but I would still like to know their specific goals.
-Daniel Jeffrey Bassett
My impression
I agree with everyone's initial reaction of the website, for the most part. I do like the layout and colors, I feel there is good alignment and consistency with the choice of colors. Also, the colors are very readable and easy on the eyes for long periods of viewing.
I like how the pages off the main index page keep in line with the overall colors and theme, yet differ just a little in layout. I like this because I think the addition of the rollover buttons and a top navigation bar is a nice contrast to the look of the index page. I think this is beneficial because it helps make the index page unique and unlike any of the other pages and therefore, will help with overall site navigation.
I had some things that I really disliked though. First, and most disturbing to me, is how FAST the pictures on the index page change from one image to the next. I feel like watching those pictures is going to trigger an epilectic seizure. The pictures change so fast that one never really gets to absorb what the pictures are of, or what their purpose is.
Also, I feel some of the pages get too deep. By this I mean that I start choosing options, and each option breeds a new option, and so one. This may be hard to fix, because this usually means there is a very high amount of content that O'Neill whats on their site.
Overall, I think it is a really good current website and I look forward to us fine-tunning it.
-Daniel Jeffrey Bassett
A proposal for the O'Neill website
I think that our class can really do a great deal with this website. They have given us plenty of information and visuals to work with. I think a good way to approach the organizational disaster is to think about the different types of people who would be looking at this website and what they would want to get out if. Maybe we could assign different teams to be "The Visitors", "General Interest", "Historical", "Applicants", etc. This would help all of focus on the needs of the viewers of the website. Therefore, if a someone wanted to visit the theater they could easily find directions without spelling errors and where they can find a visitor center. Or someone who wants to participate in their productions could easily find audition notices or an application. Or students in the theater could research the history of the O'Neill Theatre in one place.
Basically, I think if we all (or different groups) have an individual section to focus on, we can really help out the specfic needs of people who are looking at the website, instead of jumping into an organization method that just makes sense to us. I think we really need to get into other people's shoes to organize and set up the website appropriately.
My take on the O'Neill Website
I have a similar take as everyone else. The actual design isn't too bad, but the organization of information is too confusing. However, the pictures are great!
The main thing that really bothered me was the organization, or lack there of. Every link was confusing and too busy. I felt like I didn't really find subtopics that were relevant to their main topics. They seem to be really obsessed with the Monte Cristo Cottage, because it has a link in about three different places. Maybe they need to find an appropriate link for it and why it is relevant to the website (maybe under a "History" link.)
Being new to the website and any information about the O'Neill Theatre, I felt very overwhelmed and that I had to click every link to sort of find what I was looking for. There seemed to be too much detail in unnecessary places and not enough where more information was needed.
The only thing that kept my interest was the pictures. I figured by their pictures it was obvious that they kept themselves busy at the theater. There seems to be many people supporting the theater and involved in all of their events. If I were looking into their programs however, the website could turn me off forever. It's amazing what a little organization and proof reading can do as far as keeping people interested!
I Propose.......
I propose that we make recommendations on some reorganizations and minor changes to the site. Visually, it does a good job, but I think that the information in it could be presented in a clearer and more intuitive way.
My Take on the ONeill Website
I would like to start out by agreeing with Shawn and Lindsey that the graphics and aesthetic layout of the site are nice. I think they've chosen very compelling photos, and I do think that the simplicity of the site's appearance meshes well with the O'Neill's minimalist theater philosophy. But I do have some complaints about the site.
Since we've been discussing images....shouldn't all websites have roll-over text/Alt tags that pop up text descriptions of images for viewers with text browsers? (Not that there can be too many of those users, but aren't the Alt tags standard?)
Also, it REALLY bothers me that the round buttons at the top of each page are not displayed heirarchically at all. To me, it is very confusing.
For example, on the Home Page, the buttons for subpages are listed across the top. "O'Neill Programs, National Theater Institute, Director's Bio, Notable Alumni, Alumni Mailing List, & Photo Archive."
If I click on O'Neill Programs, I am taken to that subpage. OK so far. But on the subpage, there is a row of buttons across the top that is identical to the row of buttons across the home page. But the first button now is the heading of the subpage I'm on (O'Neill Programs). The rest are now subpages of this subpage. They are all listed equally across the top.
The way this looks is that the buttons on the top of the Programs Page must be the same buttons that were on the top of the Home Page. Not true. They are a whole new set of options. And the first one is not really an option, b/c that's where you are now.
I really think that websites ought to have consistent options, a way to see breadcrumbs of where you've been.
I also have some other questions related to information architecture, but I guess this is becoming a very long post. Mainly, I would like to see the typos corrected, and I would like to know why information is organized like it is. (i.e. Why is the page on Monte Cristo cottage listed with the O'Neill's programs? The other items listed seem to all be conferences, workshops, etc. Programs.)
I love the Photo Archive!!!!!
My thoughts on the website...
After reviewing the O'Neill website, I feel that the design was well thought out, executed, and appears to serve its purposes. The main criticisms that I can provide after this cursory glance deal mainly with aesthetics. The photo collages that appear on many of the pages are beautiful images, however, it bothers me that some are black and white while others are color. I say pick one and be consistent. I do agree with Lindsey's previous post that the recurring background circle images are good, but I see them as just a single element that seems to reveal the artistry of the actual theater and its works. I would like to see the website strive more to convey the images (real and invoked), philosophies, and practices of this prestigious theatrical institution through design. As we all become more familiar with the site, I'm sure there will be usability issues, but my first thoughts remain with the aesthetics after all, isn't that what we are usually left with regarding impressions? The site is pleasant, but I'm sure it can be even better.
SDH
What I propose
At this point in time I think the thing I'm most interested in proposing would have to be looking at the information architecture (because I would really like to learn how to do that) or to think of something to add to their website. I guess I might be interested in making recommendations for a slight redesign but I don't think their current website is that far from being great. However, I'm really open to doing a lot of other things but I'm not sure what's available to do at this point. As long as I'm learning it's fine by me. I like to be creative and helpful as long as it's productive :-)
Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
My first impression of this website is that it started out well. It doesn't try to do too much and end up not doing a very good job. Its simplicity gets its point across and seems to have a similar metaphor as something I read on their "about us" page. It goes:
"The work of The O’Neill focuses on the script as it begins its journey to the stage. The actors work with minimal props and no sets or costumes, holding scripts in their hands, revealing for the first time the magic of a new play or musical, puppetry piece or cabaret act."
I think based on this metaphor the website could do more with this idea. Playing up the values that is most important can enhance its image and yet still be a professional looking website.
I also think the navigation on the subpages is better than on the index page. Also while the differing alignments aren't that pleasing to the eye they made great use of the images. The images are so great and add a great dimension to the site. It's more human and interactive that way because you can connect with the people performing in the pictures. I also like the artistic circles in the background that remain constant. However, the actual content on the page is so close that it feels cluttered. Perhaps it could use more "white space" in places. And lastly, I think the white boxes that they put text on seems too out of place. Maybe they could use a lighter gradient of the background color on the page to help the box blend in instead of standing out too much. I do however think that further analysis of the site could be very useful recommendations to the O'Neill Theater because they have a very good basic concept going that can be improved upon with not too much redesign in my opinion.
Welcome!
This is the space that we'll be using for communication, critique and perhaps commiseration :-). Sometimes I will post questions and prompts, but also always feel free to use this space for your own purposes.
