Analysis| Discovery Earth Live
Graphics
Graphics are very instrumental in web site design. They help to orient the reader, explain ideas and demonstrate concepts visually. The Web Style Guide says its best, "why desribe something when you can simply and more memorably show it?" Discovery Earth Live uses graphics in a number of ways. Located at the top of every page is the site-defining indentity graphics which orient the reader and gives the site a sense of consistency. This form of graphics should be the same color and use the same typography in order to maintain the integrity of your web site.
Figure 1.6
Web sites are a collection of individual pages linked together so without site identifying graphics, it's easy for the reader to get confused or lost.
Discovery Earth Live also uses graphics to explain and demonstrate concepts. Most of the graphics used support the theme of awareness through discovery. Readers can click on a tab called "Earthquakes" and get a visual diagram of where earthquakes have happened and their magnitude. This helps the designer to summarize in a clear illustration that is easy and less time consuming for the reader to comprehend.
Figure 1.7
Graphics can be helpful but some can be distracting as well. The Web Style Guides says to never use graphics that take your reader away from your site or distract the reader from the main content. All graphics should support the theme and content of the site. Graphics that don't support this theory ruin the integrity of your web site.
Figure 1.8
The above ad is located on the home page of Discovery Earth Live. The concept of the ad, "keep our oceans clean" supports the theme of the website but leads the reader away from Discovery Earh Live. The ad consists of flash animation which distracts the reader, and once they click on the ad it leads to Coca Cola's web site. In conclusion, this is a demonstration of what not to do when choosing graphics for a site. You never want to lead a reader away from your site.
There are several flash videos available for the reader to get detailed demonstrations pertaining to earth. There is something for every reader on this site. In essence, Discovery Earth Live is a consistent site that stays on theme, uses most graphics well, and is easy to navigate.
Shanteria Starr
CMS 3710
Updated: 29 April 2010