Since Prof. Hedges directed us to YouTube in his starter post, I figured I would just use it as my online example. Looking at the homepage it looks like the site uses a ten or twelve blocked grid system. The purpose of which so that they can fit multiple small thumbnails of their videos on the page and allow room for title, description, and user information. This grid also allows advertisements to fit on the right side of the page and be especially prominent. In terms of staying within the boundaries the designers are pretty conservative. Most of their images are in square boundaries that fit into the grid and the text appears controlled by an invisible barrier. The grid aides the user in my example by organizing the video files into columns and the descriptive text into rows. This gives the reader an instant preview of the videos being displayed. I feel like the grid doesn't really engage the user with its structure. I personally think YouTube needs to revamp its site to give it a more professional and visually appealing look. With pictures located primarily on the outside of the page and text concentrated heavily in the middle, I feel like the site gives off negative tension.
4 comments:
Although the grid system is used on this website, I think it is still somewhat disorganized. I do not think it is as successful at organization as MySlice and Facebook are, for example.
I feel that the grid system on YouTube is very ineffective because it's too flexible. The videos are everywhere and, although I understand that videos are the focus of the site, some are off to the side, some are smaller, some are moving... Instead of working in favor of the site by giving it hierarchy, it makes the site disorganized and takes away structure and formality.
I think you have a good analysis here and like my peers I agree youtube's layout is ineffective. When on youtube there is no organization and it is hard to find anything. Plus it's too crowded with advertisements.
I sort-of agree with you all on the layout of youtube. The thing about them (at least it seems to me) is that they never have to edit their layout/design because people will CONSTANTLY use youtube for EVERYTHING. They are a power house. People don't use youtube because they like the layout....they use youtube because they want to watch videos and it is a perfect outlet for something such as that. I mean, good for youtube for having such a dominant product/idea that people will ignore the crappy design because they are able to find their content easily with the search bar.
I do think, however, that they should update their look because although they are a powerful organization, they could be even more powerful.
Post a Comment