Do you "break the mould" or "go with the flow"?
Hi guys,
Bit of a general question really, but it interests me. When you're designing sites, do you tend to follow the same designs of those sites in the genre you're designing in? Or do you "break the mould" and not follow suit, but do it your way instead?
For example, you were designing a site for a little known sports retailer. Most sites tend to have a means of searching on the left by specific items of clothing or equipment, whilst have brand names in a horizontal row at the top.
No real reason for asking this - just interest.
Megan posted this at 13:27 — 15th September 2004.
She has: 11,421 posts
Joined: Jun 1999
I think that as far as usability features go it's best to go with the flow unless you have a good reason not to. Some would argue that all business sites should have key features in the same place (search, login, help etc.). I believe this is the topic of Neilsen's most recent article, not that I read him....
Even with those things in place, there is surely room to break the mold. In this way, structure can be separate from form. You can still add unique elements and change the look of them. It can look completely different from others in the genre yet work the same way.
I think it is possible to completely break the mold and go against what others are doing but it should be done with caution and good usability principles behind it. If your way is better than what others are doing, then why not?
Megan
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Timewell posted this at 18:28 — 15th September 2004.
They have: 344 posts
Joined: Jun 2002
I agree that it should be approached with due care and caution and I guess it is the case of don't make changes for the sake of making changes right? If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
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