University Websites: In the Eyes of the Beholders
by Rey
S. Medenilla, Cesar Geronimo, Mark Tolibas, and Zenaida Porciuncula
More and more universities have been taking advantage of
the worldwide web to heed the stakeholders need for information. Through
their websites, the general public conveniently access salient facts about them. Queries are answered easily just clicking the
right buttons. Because of the benefits
of websites, its architecture should be perfectly crafted. Website design
matters; university websites must put premium on it. Not only does it enhance
the substance but also delight the readers—“a gift wrapped meticulously is
received astoundingly.”
The subject of the review
that follows are four university websites: Arellano University, STI University, Meycauayan College and University
of Makati. To come up with the comments,
the authors use these questions as guideposts:
Is the website design effective?
Does the architecture make sense? Does it help create the image of
the university? Are the design features or elements effective?
1. The Arellano
University Website
The three divisions—“sports update”, “news,” and “campuses”—are
in equal-size boxes that occupy the middle part. These boxes achieve the
balance in the page since the upper and the lower parts are rectangular shape
occupying the width. The white background that neutralizes the color of
the pictures is just appropriate since the texts are light blue.
Moreover, designing these boxes to be moving instead of static is a plus factor
of this page. Readers are more motivated because they could see different
pictures effortlessly: without moving a finger at all, the pictures roll from
right to left automatically. The bottom at the footer, is gray so that
it will not overpower the upper portion. This effect is just fitting
because this lower part repeats the link buttons present in the heading. Even
if there is an attempt to under-emphasize it, it is still useful to
the user because once the page has been scrolled down, there is still a
way to search any link as needed—what a convenience!
by
Rey S.Medenilla
2. The STI University
Website
The balanced distribution
of light shows the uniqueness of the design.
The principles of good design has been met with the combination of light
and dark colors. For contrast, yellow and blue match each other making it
noticeable. Also, the orange background enliven
the pages . The design incorporated well the elements in logical hierarchy
contributing to consistency and overall composition of the page.Moreso, the proximity
of objects makes it readable and easily comprehensible. On the whole the
webpage’s bright color hues contribute to the principles of STI: Education for
Real because the pages’vibrant appeal speaks well of it.
by Cesar Geronimo
3. The Meycauayan College Website
Meycauayan College
formerly known as Maycauayan Institute was established year 1925 and
continuously giving high quality education, the school provides a lot of
professionals who are now in the good status in the society. Meycauayan
College was build using the name and colors of the tree “Kawayan” the reason
why it was called Meycauayan.
The elements show the
uniqueness of the design through the contrast of light and dark colors. The green
background emphasizes the white fonts contributing to visibility of the
readers. The bamboo design truly
captures the meaning of the name of the institution. The gold color in the logo blends well with
green matching the background. On the contrary, the effect of the hierarchy of elements does not contribute much
to the composition of the pages. There is oversimplicity of the organization of
the elements. As a result, the pages
appear flat and unappealing. The screen
in the middle though is easy to look at because of the slow phase of the
transition but it could still be enhanced. Finally, the designer could still further
improve the website by incorporating more colors and artistic elements to
achieve an effective website. by Mark Tolibas
4.
The University of Makati Website
I choose the
Umak website among the universities here in the National
Capital Region. I an satisfied with its attractivenes due to clarity and
organization.The contents are well highlighted. There are sixteen ( 16 )
announcements of different events that flashes every five ( 5 ) seconds in the upper side which attracted me so much perhaps also those who will browse the
web.
When
it comes to the effectiveness used in the Umak websites, it applies it all.
There are lines and line
works which identified them that these
works are done and collaborated by three (3) to five ( 5 ) persons .The shapes
and textures intent to the masculinity
and broader mines of those who will
browsing the website. The direction can be notified and appreciate because it
has only one objective which is to encourage everyone to enroll not only the structures and facilities of the
university but the website which itself trying them to attract and catch
everyone’s decision. A visualized color
combinations made in the pages.
The only comment that I will raise
is the color combination used at the bottom area of the first page which is identifying the vision,
mission etc. The color combination was black for background and white for the
letters which has a negative vibes on
this. Come to think of it, the website
of UMAK is one of a kind. There is a unique perspective and competency intent
to other websites as far as universities are concerned. The outstanding web design is much concerned of the people
who worked on this. I can see also the balance and contrast of the graphics
which can captured at once by the viewers. There is strong emphasis on the
rhythm which signifies every viewer to be intellectual.
by Zenaida
Porciuncula
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