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HOW Online Finally Redesigned

After three years of talking about it HOW magazine has finally launched it’s new web site. Designed by Grafik Marketing Communications it looks like they have finally taken a step in the right direction.

Stay tuned for a full review. Now that I have spent a few minutes on the site I can give a better review. Let’s start with the design: I remember seeing the design of the current site in a past issue of HOW, probably 2 years ago, and it looks just like that. A bit trendy for that time, and past the trend by now. It has the same feel as Grafik, the agency who designed it. But still, I kind of like the design. If it had less transparencies and half the shapes it would be much better. The background is obnoxious though.

It is a great resource of information. The links section is loaded with, apparently, all the web sites a designer might be interested in. The Design Tools seems to be a pretty interesting section too, if they can keep the content fresh and up to date. And the Doing business section could be helpful if they stay away from repeating the same stuff they publish each and every business annual, and instead creating specific articles for the web version.

The only section that looks disappointing is the Forum, where the first message you read starts off by saying “It seems to have less life over here every time I stop in, and I was wondering who is on this forum now-a-days.” They might think to leave the forum part to us ; )

Overall, it’s a major improvement from the previous site. And it looks like they have put a huge effort into it. Except Eye Magazine’s site, I would even dare to say this is one of the best online versions of a design print magazine. Step, IDonline and Print online efforts are pretty lame. It could be the best if they create articles that are only available through the site.

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ENTRY DETAILS
ARCHIVE ID 1349 FILED UNDER Critique
PUBLISHED ON Jan.27.2003 BY Armin
WITH COMMENTS
Comments
Darrel’s comment is:

I like your review, Armin, but can I nitpik for a moment?

You refer to the 'design' of the site and then begin to describe the 'visual design' of the site.

This is a personal peeve of mine. Design in as all encompassing term that (when speaking of a web site) actually refers to the graphic design, the visual design, the UI design, usability design, the content design, IA, the database design, the technical design, etc. -- all combined.

Ok, that's my little rant.

It *is* nice to see the new How site. My little complaints:

A drop down navigation bar labeled 'navigation'. (If it's so untiutive that you have to label it, maybe it's time to rethink it?)

Numbered section links. Ugh.

Submenu appears to the left of the main menu. ugh.

Font sizes set in pixels. Ugh.

Ugly forum system (visually and architecturally). Ugh.

Mac Vs. PC thread in the forum. Ugh. ;o)

Aesthetically, it's decent. It looks like it was done by a graphic design firm this time ;o)

On Jan.27.2003 at 02:24 PM
Armin’s comment is:

>This is a personal peeve of mine. Design in as all encompassing term (when speaking of a web site)

Very debatable, but everybody has their definitions. And we can save this for another discussion.

>A drop down navigation bar labeled 'navigation'.

I know, I wasn't very thrilled about that. Called me old fashioned but I like buttons.

>Submenu appears to the left of the main menu. ugh.

If it were an hebrew site, where one reads from right to left, it would make perfect sense though.

I guess they will work out some of those nasty kinks once they get some more feedback.

On Jan.27.2003 at 05:17 PM
anthony’s comment is:

Interesting that by making the search (go) button so small they have basically removed it, since I never use those buttons anyway in favor of the enter on my keyboard, I wonder if this could be a trend. Navigation scheme amazes me, I connot believe they used drop downs, and then put sub nav to the left, and then the drop down does not even stay highlighting the page you are on..ugh indeed.

On Jan.27.2003 at 05:27 PM
Kevin’s comment is:

That background is awful.

On Jan.27.2003 at 05:41 PM
Darrel’s comment is:

Very debatable

You think? The dictionary is pretty clear about the term. ;o)

(Again, not trying to single you out, Armin...it's a common practice and a common rant of mine...)

On Jan.27.2003 at 11:21 PM
Armin’s comment is:

>You think? The dictionary is pretty clear about the term. ;o)

What does the dictionary know? PFUH!

On Jan.28.2003 at 09:45 AM
benfRank’s comment is:

ok, you know...i just don't care for it...i HATE the navigation. i really don't like the way it looks at all...o well...if i wasn't so tired, i'd back up my opinion with reasons...but for now....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz............

On Jan.29.2003 at 01:37 AM