As I was reading the last bit of Don't Make Me Think, I was thinking (ironically enough) about the website Dr. Springsteen showed us in class not long ago, "Goop." I personally, am very attracted to the design of this website. After seeing it in class, I immediately found it for myself and started exploring. I also have played with the idea of making my coursework website similar in appearance, but it may take more savvy-ness than I currently have. 

While reading Don't Make Me Think, however, I began to notice that GOOP probably doesn't fall in line with Krug's recommendations. I still find GOOP very attractive, though, and I think it's navigable and it does hold my attention. 

Here's a screenshot of the main page for GOOP:

It doesn't explain itself (except for the "by Gwyneth Paltrow" part...maybe the addition of a familiar name makes the website instantly "familiar?"). The navigation tools aren't very illuminating (you don't know what you're clicking until you click). Generally speaking, the purpose of the website is entirely unclear. 

 Maybe it is trying to reach a specific audience...an audience that I clearly am a part of, because, as I said, I really like this website, and I was initially attracted to it because of its homepage.

I'm not saying I necessarily disagree with Krug, but perhaps his ideas of web design are confined to a specific kind of website for a particular audience. 

Again, I'm not exactly certain of the target audience for GOOP, besides people like me who get excited by pretty colors and a simplistic design, but it seems as though Krug has very specific ideas about websites as they relate to businesses and marketing. Perhaps other kinds of websites should be granted more lee-way, and room for creativity, to reach their specific audience.

Don't Make Me Think

I knew I'd like this book as soon as I saw the title. I wasn't disappointed, Steve Krug presents a lot of valuable information in a way that is accessible and fun. Reading the first half of this book got me thinking about different websites I've visited that have been frustrating. Websites that aren't easily navigable are annoying, I think Krug is absolutely right. Additionally, I think it's very useful to think of a website as a billboard. I know that when I go to a website, I almost never read the entire content. Unless I'm specifically looking for something to read (like a blog), I won't read over a line or two on a website. 

Krug's talk of newspapers, especially, reminded me of some frustrating experiences I've had with the NY Times website. Obviously, it's the NY Times, so a person who visits the website will probably be more into the idea of reading the content than not. However, every time I have visited that site, I've found it extremely difficult to navigate. Usually I'm searching for something in particular, and the amount of information on the main page is overwhelming. Also, the text is all very similar, so although it's broken up by category, it's difficult to scan. I decided to take a look at the website for USA Today, to compare. The layout of the page may not be as cool and savvy-looking as the NY Times website, however, I found it much more searchable, and less intimidating.