WEEK TWO - LAB I

Website 1:
screen capture

I think this website uses pattern and color in a very effective and sublet way. On the home page the pattern on the orange top layer gives a rich texture which is automatically associated with Indian fabrics. The same pattern used as a gradient on the main body of the page gives a nice relief without overweighing that page. I also like the dotted line on the second layer, separating even more but not in a heavy way the name of the organisation. I also like the pattern at the bottom of each navigation bar (see internal pages). It is very delicate. The color palette is wonderful and warm and earthy. Color is also used to differentiate the columns on the home page, again in a very subtle way.
I didn't know this website at all or what it was about. I found it looking at one of the web designer portfolio. Although it was the subject matter that made me open it, it is the colors and the smoothness of the whole website that kept me reading and browsing the different pages.
One thing I would change is the consistency of the use of the light blue color. On the main page it is only used under the organisation title. I would have used it also for the main title of the home page as it is actually used in the internal pages.
One thing I would change is the consistency of the use of the light blue colour. On the main page it is only used under the organisation title. I would have used it also for the main title of the home page as it is actually used in the internal pages.

Website 2:

TOWEROFBABEL.COM

I chose this website as an example of typography as a design element. The screen capture only shows part of the home page. It starts with a beautiful picture of the Tower of Babel by Breughel. The typography follows the same shape. The first part gives a medieval look associated with the history of the tower. The background pattern looks a little bit like parchment.
I must say that apart from the main page, I don't like this website at all. If you click on French, you have to download a software first, which I hate to do unless I know what it is. I tried to find out, that took me about 10 minutes, than I tried to download the software, and that didn't work. I felt like an idiot and somehow rejected. So I think they failed miserably and completely lost me...