Website Evaluations

Websites are a main part of companies today. It is an eye catching part of a company that can lay out what they are selling or promoting. Some websites do an excellent job graphically and organizationally. However, there are some, if not used frequently, that can make people discredit companies as well as not use them for any sort of reference whether it is shopping, researching, or signing up. Shein, Amazon, Coach, Crunch Fitness, and Victoria’s Secret are all websites that have positive and negative factors within them.

Shein is a women’s fashion website. It contains summer clothes, shoes, sweaters etc. Graphically, the website itself is organized; however, it can be busy at times with the moving sales and different fonts. It is eye catching with similar colors and they do a nice job by not mixing multiple colors at once. Furthermore, it is easy to navigate when looking for a specific item. Because of the titles at the top, which then have subtitles, it makes it even more organized and simplistic. Shein has its strengths and weaknesses, but overall the website is graphically and colorfully well done.

Being a frequent shopper, Amazon is simple to navigate; however, if someone is visiting the site for the first time, it can appear to be busy and unorganized. The customer service live chat is helpful and the people on the other end really do want to help. The response time is quick paced and, depending on the problem, the entire conversation is ten to fifteen minutes at most. They do not leave customers guessing when it comes to problems they may have. When searching for an item, it is simple to find because of the search bar as well as using filters to discover the items in a faster pace. In addition, when looking through the cart, it is easy to delete and continue on. It is not a hassle when an item in the cart is not wanted anymore.

Graphically, Coach intrigues its visitors with the color scheme and organizational flow of its website. It is a well thought out formation and eye catching because of the pictures and short descriptions. However, after the cover page, the website can have some glitches. For example, if a shopper is searching for a bag, clicks on it, then wants to leave that page, the website takes the customer back to the top of the first page. This can be irritating to some based on what page they were on. But, when a customer wants to filter through the bags, wallets or accessories, the options are simple and makes it much faster to find an item and is not as aggravating.

Crunch Fitness is appealing to the eye. It has a few colors, but they are vibrant. The color scheme is well thought out and continues to catch the viewer's eye after the cover page, which a lot of websites seem to lack. The website has a warm sensation to it with encouraging pictures. It makes the environment at Crunch Fitness feel inspiring as a “no judgement” zone.  The website is easily navigated and is user friendly. It is simple to find what anyone is looking for because of the tool bar. Crunch Fitness is one of the websites that is doing something right, with the most important information, how much membership is, at the top.

Victoria’s Secret website on a mobile device is ineffective and frustrating. It continuously glitches and cause the screen to freeze every once in awhile as well. There is a lack of appeal with the color scheme on the home page which can be a negative factor since it is one of the most important places. It is the deciding factor on whether or not people will stay or leave. The tool bar is organized, but there is a slight delay when hovering over the link. However, the organization of the website in its entirety is well done. They give you all the related links when it comes to bras or clothing. Also, the sales of the day are laid out in one section which is simple for those who know what they are looking for.

In conclusion, the homepage of websites are one of the most important pieces to the puzzle. It makes a lasting impression as well as it being the deciding factor to either leave or stay on the page. There are a few things that companies should think about and work on when it comes to creating a website. If it is difficult to use then no one will want to revisit. Companies need to make their websites eye appealing to draw in people. Crunch Fitness does a good job with the eye appeal where Victoria’s Secret lacks with just a white background. Create a website without glitches and one that is easy to navigate. This will make consumers happy and want to revisit a website.

Here are the URLs:

Shein

Amazon
Coach
Crunch Fitness
Victoria's Secret

There’s Videos and Shooting and Editing...Oh My!

Watching videos can be mesmerizing. The curiosity that strikes when seeing what people can do with just a camera on a phone is inspiring. Has anyone ever done something like this? Well, it can get even more difficult when it comes to filming about a certain topic, like communication, and doing so in a group collaboration. Communication is such a broad topic that it can be frustrating to think about how to display it in video format and when it is with a group, there can be even more positives and negatives. In addition,there were struggles that were encountered when it came to shooting and editing as well. Overall, trying to figure out an idea after being assigned a certain topic is much more difficult when the video has no audio to explain what is actually happening. It is like a silent film in the 21st century.

There were a few struggles the group ran into when shooting and editing, but it all started with the topic. First, the topic which was assigned was a broad topic. Communication has multiple topics and subtopics within itself. There is verbal communication, non verbal communication, emotions, photographs and many others. After discussing for about 15 minutes, and coming up with multiple ideas, there was one solid idea that grasped the communication concept. There was a unanimous vote. The topic of the group video would be, “The Five Stages of Grief within a Semester.” This is a relatable topic. It is based in a college setting and within the five emotions, every student crosses at least two of them. There would be the topic of communication based on the use of emotions. The emotions were given to the four members of the group with the acceptance emotion being the ending of the group video.

Now started the recording process. The struggles the group as a whole had to overcome was how the emotions would demonstrate what the video is trying to communicate and how there was suppose to be a “self portrait” that represented the individual as well. It was difficult. Anger, acceptance and depression would be the simplest to record because there would be exaggerated facial expressions where denial and bargaining were more about actions to describe the emotions. However, each topic was tough to show a self portrait. There were numerous amounts of adjustments and reshooting to reach the criteria that was assigned for each video. Which led to the editing process. There were not many bumps that were faced, but the time constraint was the number one priority. There had to be a 15 second teaser of the self-portrait, a one minute self-portrait and then a four minute group video where everyone includes the self-portrait of their emotion along with a recorded portion of group members. Each one had to be the exact time, no one could be over a few seconds or under a few seconds. It had to be perfect. In addition, there had to be transitions, so the video would not look choppy, as well as effects, but not so many that it would make the video look reckless and messy. When it came to editing the group video, everyone had to agree on what should be kept, cut, sped up, slowed down etc. There had to be agreement because, if not, then no one would feel 100 percent confident in the video that is supposed to be a collaboration of everyone’s ideas.  

Why use video as a communication tool instead of writing and photographs? Well, with the sign of the times, video has been able to reach more audiences than writing and photography. Although writing and photographs can display a message, people can relate to and enjoy videos better. Watching a movie with multiple factors demonstrating a message can be a stronger communication tool than a simple photograph. Not everyone can relate to or understand art work or writing, but it is simple knowing what a videos true meaning can be. It also goes hand and hand with which is more entertaining. For most people nowadays, they will choose going to see a movie than going to an art gallery or a poetry reading. Video sequences are more pleasurable and engaging to audiences than writing or pictures.

The public nature of the video had an impact on the subject matter that was discussed. Since nature of the video was just scenes from homes and places at school, it was easier to communicate the aspect of emotional communication with the places the group was at. It was clear as well that the video about stages of grief were about being at school in a semester since the campus, homework, and grades were included.

The self-portrait experience was unlike any other. It was not just about showing certain things that someone enjoys, but also communicating a certain topic within the video sequence as well. For example, even though one may drink a lot of coffee, how would someone show the topic of communication within the video of pouring and drinking coffee? This video really needed all the brain power and creativity it could access. An idea may come to mind, but then when breaking the event down, it’s obvious that it would not be able to work. Furthermore, if someone may be on the private or secretive side, then having to shoot videos of their environment or the people in one’s life can be more complicated; however, that is another video that can be shot. Showing what a private person does or how much of the life they let people see. Self-portraits are difficult, but after focusing and planning, it can be really easy to make it enjoyable and engaging to an audience

In conclusion, creating videos have their challenges that come in all different shapes and sizes. Not all complications are frustrating, but there can be a few steps that take more time than others. Shooting and editing, as long as there is planning beforehand, is simple; however, editors need to be aware of time limits and the factors that must be included based on criteria set forth in the beginning of the assignments. Videos have to be engaging or relatable for most audiences to enjoy or pay attention too, no matter how long a video is; therefore, make sure there are levels within the video. Add some highs, some lows, close ups, distances shots, or anything that gives a video some depth. Go beneath the surface and do not leave the audience guessing.

Here are the links to the videos:
Happiness- Self Portrait
The "Due Date Club"- Group Video
Depression- Self Portrait
15 second teaser

Oh How Twitter Has Grown

If Facebook is a loft in the city and Myspace is a house in the suburbs, what is Twitter? A trailer park! Twitter is a social media application that is used by billions each and every day. It is a more causal application when it comes to other social media websites, but it has the power for people to have a voice in situations close to them. It has advertisements and marketing within its walls as well. Twitter has gone beyond socializing and can be a useful tool in journalistic, political and organizational styles. It has been successful in helping others as well as distracting at the same time.

Twitter has been used beyond socializing and marketing. When it comes to tragedies and natural disasters, Twitter has been a gateway in communication for people in need, sending tips and placing condolences. For example, in the past year hurricane Harvey has impacted many lives. During this time, people were stranded without any help or communication. Phone calls would take too long and the police, organizations and fire departments were rejecting people’s cry for help. Author of the article “Some people find help in Houston. Social Media can do Much Better,” Christina Cauterucci stated, “One man said he had called the Red Cross for help, only to be booted off the line then told he had to call 911 to get on the rescue list.” She also included, “Even if calls could get through to 911, without electricity and the ability to charge their phones, people in trouble could waste precious battery power waiting on hold on the off-chance that someone would pick up and record their location.”  So, people turned to social media to help. Tweeting, which only takes a second and can be done from any internet-enabled device with a battery charge, seemed to many, like a much better option. People were getting their word out and being rescued. Volunteers with boats were even taking their time to help people in the area. However, social media has had some negative factors as well. Within the Hurricane Harvey disaster, viewers continued to retweet cries for help; however, those areas were already vacated, making helpers continuously receive updates of places that have been helped to make the system more efficient and not send help where it was not needed. Another example is at the time of the Boston Marathon Bombing. An article, written by Simon Ricketts, was about the ups and downs of Twitter. He used an example on twitter by Matt Roller stating, “Twitter does its best work in the first five minutes after a disaster, and its worst in the twelve hours after that.” Throughout the article, Rickett said that people would tweet untruthful tips or unnecessary information, which would get in the way of the investigation. Twitter has changed the way people receive information. It can save someone's life or interrupt serious problems.

Twitter can be useful as a journalistic, political and organizational tool because it is a quick place to get a short message, photo, or event across to a mass majority of people. Even people or organizations who are not personally followed can show up on the twitter timeline, which can advertise events or people. Twitter is one of the most used social media applications out there. Numerous amounts of people of all different types of age ranges are participating on Twitter. Twitter can be a useful tool in a journalistic perspective for a couple of reasons. One would be to report breaking news within the community. Through Twitter, journalists can reach out, with an advanced search, and find people who were present at the event. Through Twitter, they can also follow newsworthy people and organizations. This way they can get quick stories by credible sources. A few other reasons would be for story ideas, search for sources, and gather community quotes. Twitter can be an organizational tool because there can be a timeline of all the events happening as well as people sharing their political views.

Hurricane Harvey, the Parkland Shooting and the San Antonio Bomber, are three events where Twitter was used as a communicator of these events. Twitter was a success and a failure in Hurricane Harvey. It successfully communicated where people needed help and with multiple retweets, rescuers were made aware of where help was needed. However, with so many retweets going around, some places had already been vacated, but people were still retweeting the same cries for help, making it difficult for responders to be made aware of where they actually needed to go. In the Parkland Shooting, Twitter was a source of communication for students within the school. Students had taken shocking and disturbing videos of them exiting the school. Young teens who had been shot were just lying on the floor as they exited the building. This broadcasted the views 15 year olds kids and the experience they went through. This projected the issue of no guns in school and having gun rights negotiated in the government. Twitter was a success in this event. The third event was the San antonio bomber. Twitter was a success in the sense that it kept updating people of breaking news and what had been discovered. However, people were leaving tips which did not help officers or officials come close to the end result. Twitter has its ups and downs when coming to certain events. It can lead to help and safety, a message or an uneventful tips.

The topics that were followed on Twitter were Cute Overloads, Jimmy Kimmel and Disney Pixar. Cute Overloads have only had cute pictures of dogs, cats, bunnies and many more. They can always brighten peoples days when they see a cute picture of a dog or a baby bunny stretching after a nap. The pictures are something to look forward too. Jimmy Kimmel was entertaining to follow. However, even though he is funny, he is too political at times. It is okay when people share their views, but when it is a constant topic being discussed in his monologue, it can make people disinterested. It was even worse on his Twitter page. Disney Pixar has always been an interesting company and the memes they do are inspirational and can impact people more when they use characters from movies that people can relate with. They are playful and can really put the mind at ease. Pixar also advertises new movies coming out over the next few years.

The experience of using Twitter is different from blogging. Twitter is more casual and definitely more concise than a blog. With Twitter, users only have 280 characters to say something or mention something about a certain topic. Sometimes the limit isn’t a problem; however, with topics people are passionate about, it could be a struggle to stay within those constraints. With a blog, bloggers can make their writing however long or short they want it to be. Twitter is more popular and will be easier for people to see what has been written, even if they are not being followed by a lot of people. Sometimes people will show up on timelines based on what has been personally liked or retweeted multiple times. Using Twitter is a different experience from other social media because it can use pictures, GIFS, and words. It is quick paced and more likely to be seen. Snapchat is mostly friends and photos with little words involved. Instagram is pictures with captions and Facebook is more like Twitter than other applications, but Facebook has an older age group within it and is more family-friendly than other things that people would see on Twitter.

In conclusion, Twitter has grown in popularity in the past few years. It can have success in tragedies of natural disasters as well as failures within those events. Twitter can help save lives like in the example of Hurricane Harvey or be an item in the way with the example of the Boston Marathon Bomber. Twitter is a popular application and still continues to grow. It allows people to share their opinions informally, but it lets them have a voice on issues which are true to their hearts. Twitter is helpful in many ways, but it needs to be pursued with caution in cases of tragedy or natural disasters.