A website that I find to be designed in a creative and interactive style, while using Flash in an effective manner is Waterlife: http://waterlife.nfb.ca/. This site uses XHTML 1.0 and relies heavily on Flash and Javascript, while also using CSS. The style sheet for CSS is located at css/global.css. The purpose of this website is to present the public with information about the Great Lakes, primarily focusing on the pollution of the lake and ecosystems that are slowly or rapidly being lost. The website itself is also based off of a film of the same name of the Website. However, this website, unlike the film, provides users with an interactive way to approach the information. It also gives them the ability to focus in on specific topics that they are interested in, providing them with links to outside information.
This site was created not only to bring awareness to the Great Lakes and the problems they face today, but also to help people understand how they can help. By presenting the information in a simple way they avoided overloading the site visitors with information. Also, by creating it in such an interactive way they are able to present the information in a way that will capture people’s attention.
For the design of the website they choose a water theme, which is appropriate considering the information that the website presents. By placing the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen they caused the main focus of the website to be the information that is being presented. Also, through the use of Flash they are able to make this a website that flows and moves. Also presenting the theme of water within that movement. The addition of the music helps to pull the user in turning this website into a multisensory experience.
5 thoughts on “Exploring the Great Lakes: Waterlife”
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This is one of the most visual website I have seen to date. The moving background video and animations keep my attention alone, let alone the countless number of links and information on the page. The links themselves are visually pleasing and unique in their own right. Overall this website is definitely “cool”!
The design/navigation of this website left me more confused than inspired. I liked each individual page once you get to it but I didn’t like the navigation of having to go through those photo conglomerations. For example the Water is: International page has some great information but the only way to get to it is through the rippling lines down at the bottom, the side navigation that is kept hidden unless you scroll over it, or going back to the homepage. That being said I think this website has some great information on it. It isn’t the website that you use for a quick reference but it is definitely the type of website you use for browsing around and learning new facts about the great lakes. This website uses XHTML as found by viewing the source. It also uses ShockwaveFlash and Javascript.
This is a very amusing and interactive site, even starting with the loading bar. Flash plays a huge part in this website. Every picture has a story corresponding with it and a cool transition to the story. I agree with Nicole that the navigation is difficult and kind of overwhelming, there numerous different things you can click and watch.
I really enjoyed this site’s design as a kind of story. It takes you in and leads you visually through the content that is on the page. The videos and photos seemed to be of high quality as well, and I enjoyed the sound effects
This website is very inspired and a lot of fun to browse but it’s difficult to find a specific page. Regardless, it’s obvious a lot of work went into it and it paid off.