Re-design of the webpage

BEFORE

The current page looks fine at the first glance. Basically, they use a white background with red colored text column in the middle. An image of the traditional Dim Sum dishes is provided to attract the audience. However, this blurred image seems not authentic at all. What I have found the two main things in the readings are “how to catch the eye” and “how to sell the product”. First, a useful device when thinking about visual design is to glance at crowded notice boards and see what’s your focal point. Obviously, the original homepage has no shining point. Besides, as well as being eye-catching, the design needs to hook audience and motivate them to keep reading. Both image and text must be related in a balance to express the selling points. For those who have no idea or less knowledge about Dim Sum cuisine, it’s necessary to provide a brief introduction. They emphasize the reviews and open hours, but the layout is poor and the content is so abstract that fails to express the key information of this restaurant. Address and contact information has been provided right behind the logo on the top of the website. White space is the absence of content. It can make or break the effective transmission of image and text. The “before” website has these features, but neither of them effectively reflect the harmony and unity with other elements. Thus, the homepage was not well planned and needs to be redesigned. 

AFTER

Even though the background still goes to white, I amplified the visual impact by changing the logo, font, Dim Sum dishes images, and address map. It’s extremely helpful to attract audience with delicate dishes. “Dumplings”, as you have seen on the top bar, is the most popular dish in Dim Sum restaurant. I kept two red columns on the left because reviews seemed only as the reference. I created four text boxes on the right as indicating, “where is Dim Sum from”, “what we serve”, “how we serve”, and “service we provide”. In each box, I cropped the Dim Sum dishes in a round shape because “round” object represents the table, the dish, the bowl, and the teapot in the restaurant. At the bottom of the page, I used logo and address again in a centered alignment. The repetition of “Oriental East Restaurant”, “Dim Sum”, “logo and address” is the emphasis of unity. Since the new version of homepage provided more texts than before, designers must entice readers by taking risks in design and including white space to break up the text. Risk in design is achieved by creating contrast. This includes contrast between headings and text, fonts, image size, incorporating bold rules, and color. Creating white space on a page filled with text is challenge, but experimenting with alignment can help. With these improvements to the revision page, it will be easier to navigate and find information.