Richard Thomson
Michael Paquette
Usability vs. Flash-y Designs
Posted by Richard Thomson on February 19, 2008
Owner, Blink Web Designs
SEGMENT OVERVIEW and Web Ready Material
1.Are Flash based designs bad for usability – Yes and no, it depends on the application, and the designer. The example I have shown are primarily for entertainment purposes, and both IKEA and Microsoft have companion website to go along with the Flash sites they have developed.
2.What is usability anyway? - Wikipedia defines usability (I will paraphrase slightly) “the elegance and clarity with which the interaction with a computer program or website is designed” and I believe that sums it up pretty well. It is how easy something is to use; or put more generally – could my dear old Grandma figure out how to use this website?
3.Flash and usability can play nice together – some examples of good designs: In the segment I complain about IKEA but I also love them too – and I think that they have one of the best websites which combines Flash and good usability. Good design often comes down to little things – like how easy it is to find a link, and what information you get back when you click that link – and IKEA has done a good job of implementing that.
1.Are Flash based designs bad for usability – Yes and no, it depends on the application, and the designer. The example I have shown are primarily for entertainment purposes, and both IKEA and Microsoft have companion website to go along with the Flash sites they have developed.
2.What is usability anyway? - Wikipedia defines usability (I will paraphrase slightly) “the elegance and clarity with which the interaction with a computer program or website is designed” and I believe that sums it up pretty well. It is how easy something is to use; or put more generally – could my dear old Grandma figure out how to use this website?
3.Flash and usability can play nice together – some examples of good designs: In the segment I complain about IKEA but I also love them too – and I think that they have one of the best websites which combines Flash and good usability. Good design often comes down to little things – like how easy it is to find a link, and what information you get back when you click that link – and IKEA has done a good job of implementing that.
