Website Review

Does the Arellano University Website Make Sense?

by Rey S. Medenilla

More and more private universities have been taking advantage of the worldwide web to communicate to their stakeholders.  It becomes a convenient and economical way to inform the public about the website owner's affairs and salient information that they want to share.  Therefore, web design must communicate effectively to achieve the purposes of both the owner and user of the site.  Does Arellano University website adhere to these requirements?  Does it satisfy both the owner and users?  What are some of its features that make sense?

Primarily, my opinion will be based on my experience as a user.  As regards the purpose of the owner, my experience as a part-time faculty of this university in the past would somehow speak for it.  On the whole, I find the Arellano University website adhering to the requirements of an effective website.  The logo, which is the most noticeable symbol on the banner, assures the reader that he is at the right location; no need looking for other options.  The font and the size of the university name are just sufficient, comparing with other design elements. 

As I scroll down, my view is directed to the three search button icons.  With only these few buttons, I find it less complicated and more understandable.  Both the use of the icon instead of words and the red color, add up to visual acuity.  Also, they serve as easy navigation buttons that facilitate movement from one page to another.

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 move to the left automatically.

The bottom, serving as the footer, is colored 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!

Looking at different university websites, I always expect that the design should speak for the institution itself. The Arellano University website based on its over-all design:  color, fonts, boxes, buttons, photos,  etc., proves to be a product of the designers creativity and succeeds in  projecting positive image that contributes to the good refutation of the whole university#