Case Studies show the course principles in practice.
I analyse a web page's layout, content and visual treatment, using the WDFS principles.
I then present an alternative design, which features changes following the WDFS approach.
Note: The primary aim of these case studies is to make the existing designs more effective.
I generally try to build on what's there before adding content, imagery, or rich new design styles.
Business Improvement Network
The Business Improvement Network is a professional club for quality improvement professionals, with an excellent member list, and a successful site that needs a facelift.
The Web Doctor's redesign delivers a new layout, colour scheme, logo, and re-works the site navigation to create a first impression that is designed to appeal to a broad audience and encourage visitors to find out more about the network.
HarveyNichols.com
No redesign this time, but a more in-depth analysis of the challenges of translating a highly successful offline brand to the web.
Incorporating a review of the original 2001 HarveyNichols.com, I examine which aspects of the brand can be safely taken online to achieve a consistent consumer experience.
Also see my review of the recent much improved Harvey Nichols redesign »
Bytecon
Bytecon is a small web dev agency. They need their web site to attract the right customers for their business, but the current site feels cold and empty.
The Web Doctor's redesign is a simple one-pager that lets a focussed, simplified message come through strongly.
Kemik portfolio
Designer Kemik's portfolio page is already simple, clean, and attractive. While the overall page is very easy on the eye, it falls into the trap of toning down the content to the extent that it is hard to read.
The redesign introduces thumbnails in place of text links to pieces of work, and makes a number of minor tweaks to layout, content and design to present a more solid brand image.
Artorg
Online art community Artorg.co.uk has has a newly redesigned homepage that combines beautiful illustration with stock vBulletin community modules. The content is deprioritsed due to being pushed low down the page, and having insufficient contrast.
The redesign keeps the attractive artwork, rearranges the content into a grid format, and tweaks on-screen functions, to deliver a more compact and scannable layout.
Foruse.com
Foruse.com is the web site of a usability consultancy and design company.
It demonstrates numerous errors in content and presentation, which present an unfocussed message and give an inferior impression of the company.
The redesign takes a clean and simple approach that draws a simplified message to the user's attention.
2005
