Creative Review: Andy Wood, Freestyle Interactive
READING ROOM
This is a well put together charity site with strong imagery and interactive touches. Both sides of the awareness brief are handled clearly. Retention work is probably handled offline (the floating named notes is fun though). Like all sites, ongoing site management is crucial to ensure there are no broken images and out of date copy.
TAYBURN
On arrival, the first thing I noticed was ‘how can we help you?’ A promising start and the subsequent journey delivered. Site navigation supported me throughout with obvious demarcation between primary and secondary navs and copy was clear. Simple touches like download file sizes heightened the sense of thought. A serious career and a well delivered website to match.
BLACK & GINGER
This is a luxury spa and the site has been put together with some care. Trouble is I only found out the spa was in Cheshire well into the site, having read through most of the content including the “About Us” section.
DOG DIGITAL
The web is great for targeted content. With this is mind I approached this site with high expectations. And... It’s fine. But fine is where it stops. Truth be told, I can get the same content, tailored to Scotland, on Ticketmaster and buy tickets seamlessly. With gigsinscotland I’m linked to Ticketmaster to buy. And also linked elsewhere for band content. Great idea, a fair start, lots to do still though.
EMPEROR DESIGN
www.hamiltonandinches.com/boutique
I’m not buying a book or a loaf of bread. I’m buying something of beauty; probably a gift. Offline I’d spend time browsing, discussing, mulling. There is no reason online can’t be closer to the store experience. Give me big images, 3d and advice. The site delivers ecommerce but, personally, I feel it lacks the emotion of such a significant purchase.
GUERILLA INTERACTIVE
With fresh design this site has a useful range of content and functionality. Lots of calls to action generate a sense of purpose and it’s a nice touch having the phone number next to the search box. The team should do more testing (sub-nav does not work in Chrome) but a good effort and something that has structure to grow over time.