What’s More Important or Reboot:BBC Comp 3
The fourth part in a series that should be closing in on at least some sort of a milestone, I think that I’m pretty close to a final design here. Earlier today, I discussed what I’m looking to do with this site, and I feel that this third version serves those purposes quite well. For this discussion, I will speak on what the visual layout doesn’t show.
This design refers back to the second comp I made in that much of the color scheme and content remains unchanged. Of note, the greater emphasis on the news, this is simply the default in this design and the user can set his or her preference.
In order to access the preferences of the page, the user must click on the link at the top of the page (in this instance, it would be “Hello Bill”). That link will put the user at a preferences panel that will enable him to define almost all of the page below the Today label.
Also added was the suggested links element within the “My Places” element. At this stage, I can only suggest that these links be suggested based on other bookmark lists with similiar choices, although the algorithm can be modified, obviously.
Another important feature in this design (as well as the earlier ones) is the prominent featuring of feeds. While they do not act in the direction of enticing people to set bbc.co.uk as the homepage, they do assist a “power user” without harming a user that has absolutely no idea what an RSS feed is.
Within the “My BBC” section, this design allows for the user to modify and order the news categories. As I mentioned earlier, any of these categories can supercede the news that is found outside of the “My BBC” block.
Also, in remembering the “glass” roots, section headings that are clicked more get slightly larger, giving an interesting perspective of a reverse-breadcrumb type of navigation. This preference could be expanded into overall visits by everyone, bringing in the “wisdom of crowds.”
On a more personal note, this design really takes what I liked about the second design and pushed it in better directions. I think the site becomes more useful with addition of the news section breaking out. A little more spit and polish and I think I have an actual entry that I can be proud of.