When designing a website, poster, presentation or other visual, it’s imperative to consider the audience for whom the product is intended. This is particularly true of electronic media, of which today’s viewers much of their waking hours.
As an experiment, I selected two websites on the artist Matisse. The first one was by the Baltimore Museum of Art. The second one was put out by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Baltimore Museum of Art – Kid appeal
For my third graders, the Baltimore Museum site would definitely have more kid appeal. Its more pastel color palette is something kids might choose in an artwork. The linear design of the patterns as well as the cartoon dog immediately provides a visual clue as to for whom the website was designed. Font sizes are large and very legible. Text is kept to a minimum on a page; instead viewers must click further to gain more information. Images selected are very colorful and are appealing to kids, as is the slightly tilted framed arrangement. Bright pink attracts attention to the main text. While some reading is needed to get more out of the site, much can be accomplished just by clicking and experimenting.
I found it interesting that there were no headers or links to take me back to the main page – either of the Matisse section or the main Baltimore Museum of Art home page. Perhaps young kids – the intended audience – wouldn’t miss this omission.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Metropolitan Museum of Art – for Adults/Teens
While more information could definitely be gleaned from the Met website on Matisse, its grey color palette and dense text may cause it to be passed over by young viewers curious about this artist. Adding subheadings would add to its readability and make it easier for less “involved” researchers to cue into information for which they are looking. Choice of font (a serif style) and smaller size also seems more geared towards its intended adult audience. A slide show provides a bit of multimedia, but is in no way as interactive and engaging as Baltimore’s Matisse site. This website on Matisse definitely feels more appropriate for older viewers.Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
