WSA Winner
Friday June 18th, 2004
Sometimes it's a little hard judging a site in a language you don't speak, but Infosion's clear, boxy design lets you know what's going on pretty well.
They're doing something a bit different, so I give them points for that, although it can come off as a bit stark if you're not quite into the design. The usability's pretty solid, and under the hood is nice clean code.
I query why they use background images for the top-level navigation though, as you then can't navigate with images off; the headings are actual <img>s so you get to see the alt tags for them.
Reviewed by Cameron Adams
#1
I query when the images-turned-off topic arose in the area of accessibility issues. Surely, anyone with images turned off looking for a multimedia partner with a strong portfolio is way off. I agree that there is nothing wrong with providing alternative content for different setups and browsers, but lately it seems that the only ones surfing with images turned off are web developers looking for new accesibility arguments for their own business.
This site is great and different, and a quick but hacky way to please the accesibility heroes would be to put the good old transparent pixel over the nav and giving it an appropriate alt attribute.
Thank you once again webstandardsawars for a great resource.
Posted by David Hellsing :: June 18th, 2004 at 11:15 AM
#2
Wow, this one is beautiful. Very different and wonderfully minimalistic!
Posted by Jason Santa Maria :: June 18th, 2004 at 12:41 PM
#3
I love this.
Posted by coda :: June 19th, 2004 at 12:06 PM
#4
No, I do have a friend who browses with images off, the Opera using freak :o]
It's wasn't really a usability query, more a query as to why they'd use images for the headings, but background images for the menu.
Posted by Cameron Adams :: June 19th, 2004 at 12:11 PM
#5
hey guys, thanks very much to be honored with the WSA!
The top level navigation uses background images because i wanted to use one nested list for all 4 navigation levels, just with plain text in the source but using my preferred gradient buttons ;-) And i loved the way hicksdesign described how to use image rollovers without preloading.
What do you think, could it be a solution to add a title tag to the top-level? What about those "Opera using freak" turning off images - wouldn`t they see the title of the links instead of nothing?
Thanks a lot for your feedback... and ,ach ja, the english version of the site is in work ;-)
Posted by Patrick Ehrlich :: June 19th, 2004 at 12:37 PM
#6
Resizing the text screws up the navigation somewhat, as the background images repeat and the right-hand text box hides half of its content.
If one is handing out awards to people I think one should at least ensure that the site in question satisfies some basic usability requirements such as handling text resizing reasonably well.
Posted by Ben Eastaugh :: June 21st, 2004 at 02:23 PM
#7
Text resizing works fine here. And the right block adds a scroll when the content is enlarged (safari 125). I see nothing wrong in awarding this site.
Posted by David :: June 22nd, 2004 at 10:22 AM
#8
I fixed the navigation and the right block this morning. Had too much hazzle the last days to realize this by myself - so thanks again ;-)
Posted by Patrick Ehrlich :: June 22nd, 2004 at 11:27 AM
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