The New On Point Website, originally uploaded by WBUR
And now, as promised, served up steaming fresh from the oven is the On Point website redesign (subject to change at a moment’s notice, of course).
Ashbrook and his team gave their imprimatur, but, to the best of my knowledge, we have not yet shared this makeover with anyone else.
The designer was a tad squeamish to go public, which I take as a compliment, as he assumed there was indeed a “public” to go to. Truth is, this blog is flying so far below the radar that it is loping off the heads of dandelions.
But to those few readers out there, I would appreciate your feedback before our boy genius programmer transforms this into a functioning website.
Don’t be gentle. Can you identify any flaws? Or perhaps we nailed it this time (we could only be so lucky).
Here is a link to a more expansive view of the mock-up.
Now fire away!
Looks great!
The designer in me is hoping things might line up a bit more — under “don’t miss” the articles are wider than the heading above it (though the “recent shows” column appears all tucked in) and I’m wondering what the left and right constraints of the bottom three columns should be. Would probably look best if aligned with either the edges of the two featured white boxes above or the edges of the tan box below it. Also, as tweeted, the date seems a tad low — maybe valign it middle or set its baseline to the same as “SEARCH.”
These are all very nitpicky points, though: clean up the bottom space a bit and it will look very clean and easily accessible. Props to your designer!
– Brian R, WGBH Lab
Nice! This design has much better flow than the current site: the first things my eyes were drawn to were the podcast, find your station, and then this week’s shows. It doesn’t seem crowded or overwhelming with information. And I really like the picture change of Tom: from business-like portrait to in-action shot.
My only beef — and I’m not sure this is even up for criticism since we’re talking site design — is the new logo. It looks a little Verizon-y to me. It says to me “only old people listen to this show. We hate fun!”
. . . Maybe that’s just me?
I’m not convinced that the comment from ‘gbh was just sabotage! The new site looks solid.
This is a big step. I’m still hoping that the page could be a little more reflective of a site with so much information that is relevant to what is going on in this chaotic world, and look a little less like something that supports a radio program. So there is a more of a sense of “here’s what we’re talking about” and less of a “this is/was hour 1/hour 2.” Online it isn’t tied to an hour. It is now. When I want it. Same idea with “recent shows.” That too is content that is now. But I love the big steps forward here, and the blog is strong. Great work.
Nice, clean, organized – looks great to me!
One confusion – I don’t get the difference between Recent Shows and Don’t Miss.
Probably this is just because it’s a mockup.
Otherwise, it looks great.
The dear leader and designer have assiduously read all the above, which were also a topic of the morning meeting.
Aside from some “nitpicky”points, it is encouraging to have most of our decisions validated by this very Web savvy community of public radio afficinados.
I appreciate the feedback. And rest assured, this won’t be the last time we do something like this. Here & Now anybody?
Thanks for the vote of confidence miguelina!
Brian R: Our long-suffering designer will see how practical it is to incorporate your very valid suggestions into the final design. Judging by the WGBH Lab website, you wield some formidable artistic chops yourself, making us sit up and pay especially close attention to what you are saying.
am533: Thanks. Your eyes are going exactly where we want them to go. As you may know, we are updating some of our old, tired logos. On Point is no exception, though unlike you, I am partial to the redesign (and I even use Verizon).
Uh “WBUR Fan,” we are all friends now. Haven’t you heard about all the WBUR/WGBH joint projects?
Mr. Goodbar: Well, it does support a radio program. Maybe an Ashbrook blog will provide a little more of that relevance you alluded to. Thanks for sounding-off.
r.e.wolf: I thank u.
Persephone: I remain a tad confused myself as to the difference. Comes across as a space-filler. Maybe “Editors Pics” would be better? Both are archives of past shows. We need to be clearer. Thanks for adding your two cents into the mix.
[…] have set back the On Point redesign by at least a week or two. And just in case you have forgotten, here is a screen shot of the makeover. Expect the new site to roughly approximate […]
Linked locations for, “About On Point” and, “Past Shows” are trans versed, as are links for, “Ways To Listen” and, “Contact Us” in left side navigation plane.
Otherwise looks good!
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[…] launch was months in the making (it was back in May when I first teased you with a peak). Thank you for your patience. We may not be the fastest moving […]
Gabe: Thanks for the Q&A. The webmaster is working furiously to stomp out any additional bugs!
[…] ball. Once all the dust clears, a cleaner, smoother site will greet your weary eyes. And like On Point and Here & Now before it, WordPress will supplant is arthritic content managment system. More […]