iez’s

ok, the title doesn’t sound very "everyday things"
i have wanted to write about this topic since long time ago, i just don’t really know whether i should post it here because it is rather offensive, maybe… to some people. but one presentation in today’s night class triggered me again on this, so i guess… no harm posting it here. but i have to make a disclaimer:

things that i am writing here are really my personal opinions, and please do not continue reading if you find it offensive =P, and i shall not be responsible to any negatiive mood caused by the post.

MoRe FrEeDoM - MoRe CrEaTiViTy - MoRe AfFeCt or LeSs AfFeCt ??

you can now design your own layout in friendster. you can put all the creativity you have. you can put all possible colors and combinations in your layout. you can do unlimited creation. GOOD!!!! COOL!!! it is fun! profile page, in friendster, is not so plain and predictable anymore!! it can be more appealing, more cheerful, shows more personality, it is more affective!!!

but i found some ppl tend to overdo it, that i could not even read the content of their page due to very bad contrast between foreground and background, that takes me so long to read because AlL tHe WoRdS ArE WrItTeN ThIs WaY EvEn FoR VeRy VeRy LoNg SeNtEnCeS, that spin my head around with all sort of flashy flickery flying animation, that makes my eyes fatigues for just looking at it for a minute, that just drive me crazy….
i guess when i encounter such site, i won’t bother to read the content, or even attempt to read the content. usability problem? Yes!

so, with bad usability, you can’t talk about affect anymore. instead of making the page more appealing, those crazy designs are less appealing, brings negative mood and emotion, and chases ppl away from the page.

so, more freedom, more creativity, less affect?
not necessarily true. your brain just needs to be more creative in putting all your creativity into one. you should be able to place yourself in the position of your viewer: can I read this? does it have enough contrast? does it irritate me? does it annoying? does it too boring? how do i feel when i see this?

creativity will be and will only be fun, if usability is taken into account. at least that’s what i believe now.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 22nd, 2006 at 9:36 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.