I've simplified the whole iTunes store to make it very user-friendly and easy-to-use. As the iTunes store currently is I think it's far too busy, and my design reflects this issue.
My redesign also includes a slightly redesigned logo, where I've taken the very first apple logo and made it slightly transparent. Each page has a context-sensitive version of this logo. The new corporate colour scheme for my iTunes redesign is a refreshing green, taken from the top colours of my logo.
Homepage design:
Top songs page design to explain my concept a bit more:
A propose genre page design (likely to change):
Any comments are greatly appreciated (apologies for the low-res screenshots).
8 comments:
Hi Craig
The designs are looking great. I think that the simplicity works well; it captures the essence of Apple.
The varying innards of the Apple logo help keep the design of each page fresh and dynamic. However, the logo on the homepage doesn't really work for me; perhaps it would be best if you could see the whole 'open' word rather than just a snippet.
Referring back to our previous conversation regarding advertising; Whilst in an ideal world annoying adverts would not be an issue, however we know that in real life the advertisements have to be incorporated as part of the design... rather than being peripheral to it.
Very good work Craig
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Thanks
Shaun Bellis
I did say in the room on Thursday that I didn't like the green but now I think it's probably the best colour for your design. I like the navigation system which but I'm not sure how it would handle more than 6 links.
I like the simplicity of your design it is a lot different from the iTunes that we know and love.
I'd like to see an advertisement for a band or album page. Would you do something similar with the tracklisting?
I'm not really a fan of the homepage I don't see the point of the grey lines. I think it may be better if you lined them up or possibly find a different way to link the buttons to the middle logo.
I think you have come up with a very strong design and definitely something that will be hard to beat.
I'd also like to make a comment about your 'Bread Crumb Trail'. I'd modifying it slightly as sometimes iTunes does the music genre, then the artist then the album I think. So this may overlap your navigation.
It's a hard one to judge because both elements (Trail & Navigation) are in the best positions.
Hi Craig,
Great job on the designs, compared to the current itunes store they're a lot cleaner, simple and fresh. This is then carried forward in your logo design.
The way you have re-designed the logo while keeping its original form works really well. It will enable users to still be able to recognise the brand 'itunes' even with its new look.
Some strong designs, keep it up! :D
Home Page
The home page navigation is certainly a lot more friendly for new users than the curet iTunes one. It also reminds me of my original home page I did atthe beginning of the course (Not the current black one).
I do feel that it is a bit plain. Are these navigation links going to have drop down boxes?
Have you thought about the monitor sizes people are using? At it's current size it seems too big for any user with 800px by 600px resoluiton settings.
I think the orange with white text needs altering slightly. The contrast isn't quite right. Maybe darkening the orange slightly would fix this.
One thing I have noticed that might confuse the user is that the current page that is being viewed (ie: Music) is highlighted green but the colour of the "my account" and "home" is also in green.
The navigation at the top with the green arrow is a good idea.
One thing that I would swap is the "My Account" and the "search". That way you could keep the consistency between the coloured bars. All 4 would look the same then, and the search would be in the top righ. This would also solve part of the problem I stated earlier.
The green link would be replaced with the search bar.
Great work so far
When I first saw your designs I was surprised at how little information was displayed on the page, I like what you have done so far.
As a concept it is visually strong I think the "spider like" search diagram on the homepage suits a certain user.
My only concern is that there isn't much room for browsing. I know most people search, but I think there needs to be an opportunity to look around the store.
This would have a bearing on your simple design, or do the genres/artist drop down from the buttons?
I think it is works on a design level but as you don't have to build a fully functioning site you won't know if it will work effectively or not.
Cheers for the comments guys, they've been helpful. I've been thinking a lot about the kind of design I was going to go for prior to me creating these screen designs, and I thought that if I was going to go for such a design as I have done, there was no point playing it by halves. The only way I can pull off such a simple design is if there is conviction in its simplicity (much like Apple's current website), so this is why it may appear sparse or a bit too simple.
To address your point Shaun about advertising - and I know its something we've discussed quite a bit - I think if this design was ever to become a reality then the idea of the way that the iTunes store advertises would have to be changed. I would argue that a few key album and artists banners attract a lot more people to click them instead of a whole page full of them (like the current design).
In a way, its very much an idealistic design, as in Apple would probably never buy into the idea. But that is the beauty of being on this course; there is room to push the envelope in a way that doesn't appear that often in the industry. I was really excited at the prospect of redesigning the iTunes store and I hope this shows through in my designs.
And Scott, the browsing issue is something I've thought about, which is primarily why I said my Electronic theme page wasn't finalised. It's a very difficult balance for me to reach, to create a design that appeals both to the casual browsing user and the searching user. However, I do think both needs to be accomodated for.
Thanks again for all the comments, and please do feel free to add any more if you feel inclined.
Yes. I suppose that expands on what we were talking about before regarding advertising. You can achieve the same revenue with fewer adverts; few adverts = higher cost to advertiser (quality not quantity).
The issue raised regarding browsing is a valid one. However, I do not believe that the design should be compromised as a result; perhaps the addition of a 'Browse the store' link that way all are catered for.
Shaun Bellis
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