Web design opinions and new semester

15 July 2007, 10:21 pm. View comments. Filed under Design, School.

The two topics in my title don't really blend well together but I prefer this than making two short and separate posts one after the other on the same night. So here goes...

I did realise my previous post was highly subjective and I received disagreements especially for my example of an "ugly website design". But as a personal website, I believe I can publicly post my personal opinions and since they made their websites public, it's also open to public scrutiny. Jem's article Unrequested Reviews backs up my point of view—I think. Of course, anyone can disagree with my opinions too. And yes, Hydora, right after I published my previous post I was missing my good old days writing full web page reviews on my site and Captious Pedants.

For those who are actually "fans" of web design, which undoubtedly includes the owner of the Web Design Fanlisting, should pay more attention to web design tips and trends on the net, right? Well, I have some of these web design mistakes around my site too and I'm trying to take these advices in.

To steer the topic away from web design, I see the time is currently 10:02 pm. I need to start getting used to going to bed at this time because I scheduled myself three 8 am classes a week this semester, which starts tomorrow. It means waking up at 6 am to take the bus at 6:30; but since dad is being surprisingly nice right now he'll drive me to school tomorrow. I get to sleep an extra 30 minutes but it's still an ouch.

Exam results from last semester weren't too good, but I definitely did better than I initially thought. It's actually quite satisfactory knowing that this result would get me into Law School next year and that I have comparatively easier papers this coming semester. It just means that I should be able to lift up my overall GPA higher by the end of the year but I still can't let my guards down. Good luck to me. Yeah.

By the way, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix had nice movie effects but the director's skills in plot-cutting still hasn't improved.

15 Comments »

Angelique. 16 July 2007, 3:00 am

Wow, thanks for linking me to '5 Things You Should Avoid' and '43 Web Design Mistakes You Should Avoid'.

They were very helpful <3

And my time is currently 10:59 PM. *smacks head*
Tyler. 16 July 2007, 5:18 am

I never took the chance to tell you how nicely I think the "new" Appasionato is coming along. Everything is very organized and I'm excited to see the entire site up and running.

I agree with your comment about the new HP movie. I enjoyed it, but it seems those movies always leave something to be desired.
MissScareAll. 16 July 2007, 6:57 am

I'm going to check out the links you've given - I'm sure my site is terrible in all senses. Poopy.

Glad to hear your grades are getting you to where you want. I've got to wait over a month for my exam results - I'll probably be so tense and panicked when I get them that I won't want to open them - ever.
Sachiko. 16 July 2007, 7:04 am

Hi,

I surfed onto this blog and read the past entry. Please don't mind a comment from me a passer-by.

I understand that, as a personal blog, by all means you're able to write anything you want. I also understand that the negative points /can/ be of assistance to the webmasters of those respective fanlisting listed. However, it might have been wiser to just individually email to them rather than having them publicly scrutinized like that. It's like inviting attacks and unnecessary -negative- publicity to the FLs. There were no positive points listed, only the negative; therefore only one-sided constructive.

It's also wise to keep in mind that every webdesigner starts at the bottom and works their way to the top. From what I can see, you're a veteran webdesigner and obviously very skilled. Your layouts are very organized and easy to navigate. However, not everyone has 1) a keen eye for designs, which can be obtained through past mistakes; and 2) the resources such as PS to create desired layouts, or 3) the passion to explore designs, only to express their passion for the subject of their FL. Take note that in the Web Design FL, she evidently said that she hasn't been involved with webdesigning much.

Thanks for reading this comment. (cute smilies, by the way)
Hev. 16 July 2007, 7:49 am

Rilla, it is different to write for a personal site then a web design site like you had before. I have the same problem when I make entries for Amarantine & Tiger-Whispers Designs.

Personally, I agreed with your last post. The web design site was pretty bad. I believe that a site should be of high quality no matter whether it is a fanlisting or a regular site. The person who own the web design FL could have used a premade or had someone make it for her. I am sorry, but it needs to be better.

Good luck in school this year. You school starts early. Good job on your exam results.
Rilla. 16 July 2007, 9:12 am

I see where some of you are coming from but from my perspective, it's not that I was criticising web designs because I felt like it but simply because that's what came into my mind after surfing fanlistings for hours and I decided to use my blog to express myself.

@Sachiko: e-mailing could have worked but in that case, why do web page review sites publish their reviews on the net? They could've just e-mailed their completed reviews to the owners. Not only websites of course, but that includes book and movie reviews. I'm not the only one who posts my after-thoughts about books I've read on my website and for those disliked they were publicly scrutinized. And I'm sure some authors have read public reviews of their works on Amazon as well. Some readers may prefer to e-mail them about their thoughts, while most decide to post their personal opinions elsewhere on the Internet. It pushes improvement when you look at it from another way, doesn't it?
Hydora. 16 July 2007, 1:23 pm

Oh, I have the same opinions about this Harry Potter movie, the plot seemed too fragmented to catch on well enough. As for waking up early, it just means adjusting your lifestyle, whether you like it not

So, um, good luck. (oh that sounded lame)
Aseia. 16 July 2007, 2:02 pm

I agree with you completely. Such review should be appreciated anyway...helps you improve Good luck with school...I know what you mean, I scheduled 8am classes 4 days a week :\

Haven't seen HP yet, but I've heard similar comments from others
Marie Claire. 16 July 2007, 9:17 pm

Thanks for posting those links about web design.. they will be useful.

Glad that you did okay in the exams
Chien Yee. 16 July 2007, 10:56 pm

Thanks for the links
I've watched HP and oooh, I was sleepy most of the time. Definitely wasn't worth my time,but yes, the effects are good. Congrats on the better-than-you-initially-thought grades. It always brings a smile on my face when that happens
Vera. 17 July 2007, 4:35 am

It's 12.33am now :/
I don't bother myself with reviews much mostly because I've been so busy lately I can't be bothered with my layout and design.

Just wondering if your name is pronounced as Riya or Reela now.
Ezzy (Evette). 17 July 2007, 5:39 am

Yehh I hate waking up early for classes too It will all pay off one day though. good luck mama
Katie. 17 July 2007, 6:13 am

Sorry to have to write another comment. To say that you wrote something because it came into your mind is basically the same thing as saying that you wrote it because you felt like it. They both state that you were inclined to do something.

There is a difference between making people feel like complete and worthless idiots, and giving people useful criticism to improve. Even book and movie reviews vary from good constuctive criticism to just random ranting. A good review is something which consists of negative points as well as some well-constructed advise for improvement. This serves as an encouragement to improve instead of evoking rage and feelings of worthlessness.

Not everyone (unfortunately for some maybe) takes webdesign as seriously as some others might or can be as good at it as some others. But that doesn't mean they should not be allowed to own and publish a 'mediocre' website without being scrutinized if it doesn't live up to certain standards. It is almost like saying that 'mediocre' professionals should not be allowed to carry out their profession, or even that any mediocre person should not be allowed to do the things they are not good or perfect at.

As I do understand your point about this being a personal website and you giving your personal opinion, it is only human to consider the way you write things might hurt other people. The same message can be written in a way which is not as hurtful and doesn't make others feel like they are looked down upon or take away someone's joy in (webdesign as) their hobby.

Your sarcastic way of writing can be fun to read, but keep in mind that it is not always a very appropriate tone to use, and that it can do some serious damage sometimes.
Jem. 17 July 2007, 9:48 am

"A good review is something which consists of negative points as well as some well-constructed advise for improvement." ... I don't know which happy-go-lucky dictionary you read but I don't remember any definition of review stating that "well-constructed advi[c]e" must be given.
Rilla. 17 July 2007, 9:54 am

@Katie: I understand what you mean as well, mostly about me being harsh in my words. I did not intend to make people feel like complete and worthless idiots. There were five points and I tried to summarise each section briefly because really, if I was to write complete and convincing reviews to back-up all my points, I'm sure there would be some tiring page-scrolling to do.

It can be hurtful I know, and I have been hurt myself by strict reviewers before. But since that essentially pushed my improvement (instead of taking away my job in webdesign), I realised that if they do feel hurt, they shouldn't take things so seriously in the place. It's only reasonable for each person to stand up for themselves because in looking at the appearance of something such as webdesign, it's a subjective matter in itself. I could simply like something she doesn't like and vice versa. And if someone posts something that should hurt me, it could only really hurt me if I agree and the person sounds convincing. To go on with that, if I agree, I would try to take in the advice.