OCAD+Benchmark

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** Brief Introduction **
==The website is a digital showcase of information about OCAD (The Ontario College of Arts and Design). Moreover this website serves as a vehicle to promote and announce upcoming events, display student work and promote the academic programs, research and services they offer. ==


The information presented is structured very well, presenting a strong hierarchy. Upon entering the website, the vast amount of information is initially broken down into 8 distinct categories (about, students, prospective student, alumni, faculty, academic programs, research, library). These categories are then further broken down upon a desired selection, establishing the information in an upside-down pyramid arrangement, with broad and general information categories at the top, which then gradually become more and more detailed and specific as the user advance into the website. Moreover, there is admirable labeling, as different categories are devoted to different colours, establishing a concrete sectioning of different categories of information. In addition, important headlines and announcements are given visual importance through subtle changes of background colour, and the capitalization of widely tracked orange text.



Visual Design
OCAD presents a minimal and conservative visual design, shying away from experimental web design which is prevalent for design school websites (e.g. Rhode Island School of Design, Royal College of Art). In terms of layout, the OCAD website utilizes the menu bar as the centerpiece, serving as two functions. First, it serves as a visual navigation system, embracing one of eight colours (e.g. orange, purple, blue) assigned to the eight major categories of information. Secondly it serves as a canvas to display student and alumni work. The amount of textual information is abundant, as it is ultimately an academic institution, but through the use of various headlines and banners, the user isn't overwhelmed with the vast amount of information, and is able to actively choose what or what not to read. Moreover the composition utilizes a strict grid, creating divisions amongst the sea of text. Although is must be noted that the space between columns of information are quite tight, at times obscuring information to the user. It must also be noted that the text can be better placed, as there are rivers and orphans present in many pages.

Usability
The usability of the website is not groundbreaking in its usability, but is functional nevertheless. As discussed in the architecture information section, the content found on the OCAD website is divided in clear categories, in an upside-down pyramid, hence the experience of usability is completely reliant on whether the user knows what they are looking for, or are just browsing. Whichever type of interaction the user chooses, the placement of a search bar, as well as a clean menu bar, allow the user to maneuver around the website with intuition. Moreover, with suggested links available after making a menu selection, the user is given the opportunity to find their destination sooner.



The content presented can be divided into two separate classifications; text and images. The text content found on the OCAD website is clear, and well constructed as discussed in the information architecture passage above. The text information has all the information expected on an art institution’s webpage (e.g. galleries, facilities, housing information, financial aid, how to apply). The image content is brilliantly designed, as it is large, bold and serves as a medium to display student and alumni work, while functioning as a menu bar and headline banners as mentioned prior.



Conclusion
The simple architecture of information, the use of a simple grid to divide text, the use of colour to differentiate information and the dual functioning of the menu bar make the OCAD website quite effective as a resource for users interested in OCAD’s programs and achievements. As a whole, the OCAD website presents the user with a well structured website, allowing the user to find what they need, as well as introducing them to other interesting facets of the site (e.g. image banner/menubar) elongating the amount of time spent on the website.

// Thushjanthan (TJ) Sivagurunathan //