Benchmark+Analysis

=Benchmark Analysis= Identifying and analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of current products and service is helpful to guide our own creative direction. In most cases, a benchmark analysis works to line up your design with others to show where they fall short and were they succeed.

Each student is required to identify and analyze 2 websites that relate to our own project. One should draw from thematically similar examples like art /design departments and schools, galleries, studios, museums, etc. Although you are not limited to these, try to locate helpful examples to expand your range of possibilities.

Examine these works from multiple perspectives. By considering usability, visual treatment, information architecture, content and overall user experience, designers can identify significant opportunities and challenges.

Each example should include :
 * 1) a brief description; what is and who would use it
 * 2) an analysis of :
 * information architecture - how is the content structured, hierarchy, labeling
 * visual design - typography, colour, composition; what does it look like?
 * usability - findabiltiy, effectiveness, utility; how does it work?
 * content -what content is presented; how and why
 * 1) a synthesis of your findings (is it effective, why or why not)
 * 2) use images/ graphic material to support your ideas
 * 3) a list of any cited material