Assignment: Pick a website that you feel is designed well and explain why you feel this way then pick one that is designed poorly and discuss why you feel this way. Post your likes and dislikes below. The purpose of this discussion is to establish a baseline of what you feel is “good” design and what is “bad” design. We’ll see if you feel the same way after all is done.
Response:
I wanted to choose two websites that had similar functions so that I can solely compare design, rather than navigating the differences between the purposes of the websites.
https://newyork.craigslist.org/
I don’t think that this website is visually appealing. The design includes the regular white background, blue for the links, and grey side/top bars. This website doesn’t seem designed at all, especially since the basic design of the mid-90s when it was created. I think that it could’ve been redesigned to keep up with changing technology.
It is relatively basic with lists of links in various categories. Before entering the area where you can search what you are looking for, a user would have to scroll through a list of locations in the US. I think that there is a better way to visually show this or a simple search using your zip code.
The photos, descriptions, and labels don’t have any sort of standardization. There are definitely ways to better the filtering system when creating a post.
Overall, this website has usability but it is basic. From these reasons, I can see why other websites are popular to buy and sell products.
I think this website is much more visually appealing. It is very clear how the system works because as you scroll, it walks you through the steps.
The website and company itself have clear branding and nice photos on the landing page.
The categories shown are similar to how a user would regularly shop online. This allows for much more ease and recognizability. Furthermore, they include features such as a shopping bag/save for later, and buying with PayPal. When the user scrolls down, there is a slider of “other products you may like”.
Unlike Craigslist, the listings have standardization. The photos fill the square frame, and each has the same information.
Overall, this website has the same usability but much better design.
