The document discusses an information design challenge to redesign the IMDb website with limited time and resources and no client or stakeholders. It outlines some problems with the current IMDb site such as being top heavy and not supporting user behavior. The document then provides sketches and wireframes for a redesigned IMDb home page with descriptions of the key sections and goals to make the site more focused and clear while providing many options for users.
34. “Great web design reflects
the way we interact, and the
primary vehicle for that
interaction remains text.”
- Bronwyn Jones, Better Writing Through Design
http://www.alistapart.com/articles/betterwritingthroughdesign/
48. IMDb.com
Home Page Page description diagram
1 2 3 Notes
The goals of the home page reflect
Primary Navigation Login/Register Area Born Today the overall goals of the site; to pro-
Users need the ability to navigate Users will need to be able to easily This is a nice way to feature actors on vide a gateway to exploring movie
with ease at all times. login. the site and to get users to the photo and related information, to drive sales
pages. through Amazon and to generate ad
Global Search Field Latest Trailers views.
Snapshot/FAQ/Poll
On the home page there will need to In the current site this is the focus of The home page should provide a
Page Description
be a way to search globally. the page, while this is still an impor- Pulling little bits of content from the good snapshot of what IMDb is all
tant part of the home page, I think site is a good idea, however I don’t about and what kinds of information
“Movie Lists” this can be downplayed a bit. see how it adds a whole lot of value can be found here.
here. This isn’t a priority though as
The home page should keep the vari- The home page should be focused,
it’s pretty lightweight content.
DVD Releases
ous movie lists (Tops / Opening / and clear, yet provide many options
Coming soon, etc.) as this provides
Footer Navigation
This is one part of the page that for a user beginning to browse or
the user a great jump off point. could be brought up. It serves both search for movie-related information.
Diagrams
There needs to be a way on the page
user and business goals well.
It’s also important to note that an-
to navigate to standard information
Movie news other goal of the site is to generate
Featured Release such as copyright information, pri-
As this is updated regularly with great revenue via carefully placed ads.
vacy policy, etc.
content, more emphasis should be There is opportunity to highlight one These ads should be prominent but
placed on movie news and headlines. movie on the home page, maybe the not overwhelming and a good bal-
current box office leader or some- ance should be struck between ads,
thing opening that week. featured content and links.
About Blurb New Feature Spot
(Character Pages)
Clearly state the IMDb position
statement.
This is an optional spot used to high-
light new features or sections.
Highest Level of Need Lowest Level of Need
49. IMDb.com
Home Page Page description diagram
1 2 3 Notes
The goals of the home page reflect
Primary Navigation Login/Register Area Born Today the overall goals of the site; to pro-
Users need the ability to navigate Users will need to be able to easily This is a nice way to feature actors on vide a gateway to exploring movie
with ease at all times. login. the site and to get users to the photo and related information, to drive sales
pages. through Amazon and to generate ad
Global Search Field Latest Trailers views.
Snapshot/FAQ/Poll
On the home page there will need to In the current site this is the focus of The home page should provide a
be a way to search globally. the page, while this is still an impor- Pulling little bits of content from the good snapshot of what IMDb is all
tant part of the home page, I think site is a good idea, however I don’t about and what kinds of information
“Movie Lists” this can be downplayed a bit. see how it adds a whole lot of value can be found here.
here. This isn’t a priority though as
The home page should keep the vari- The home page should be focused,
it’s pretty lightweight content.
DVD Releases
ous movie lists (Tops / Opening / and clear, yet provide many options
Coming soon, etc.) as this provides
Footer Navigation
This is one part of the page that for a user beginning to browse or
the user a great jump off point. could be brought up. It serves both search for movie-related information.
There needs to be a way on the page
user and business goals well.
It’s also important to note that an-
to navigate to standard information
Movie news other goal of the site is to generate
Featured Release such as copyright information, pri-
As this is updated regularly with great revenue via carefully placed ads.
vacy policy, etc.
content, more emphasis should be There is opportunity to highlight one These ads should be prominent but
placed on movie news and headlines. movie on the home page, maybe the not overwhelming and a good bal-
current box office leader or some- ance should be struck between ads,
thing opening that week. featured content and links.
About Blurb New Feature Spot
(Character Pages)
Clearly state the IMDb position
statement.
This is an optional spot used to high-
light new features or sections.
Highest Level of Need Lowest Level of Need
50. Home Page
IMDb.com Wireframes
Ad Spot
Login | Register My Movies IMDb Resume IMDb Pro
IMDb Logo Movie and TV Showtimes and
Now Playing New on DVD IMDb TV Message Boards
News Tickets
The Internet Movie Database: Visited by over 50 million movie and TV lovers each month! Welcome to the Internet Movie Database, the biggest, best, most
Wireframes.
award-winning movie and TV site on the planet.
Movie News
SEARCH IMDb ALL
Tops at The Box Office Weds, October 10th 2007
Sutherland Pleads No Contest to
GO
A tricky deliverable.
Drunk Driving
1. The Game Plan
2. The Heartbreak Kid
Lohan Speaks out From Rehab
3. The Kingdom
4. Resident Evil: Extinction
Hospital Workers Suspended for
5. The Seeker: The Dark is Rising
Featured Movie: We Own the Night quot;Leakingquot; Clooney Medical
Information
Director: James Gray
Opening This Week Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes (Full Cast)
Studio: Columbia Pictures
We Own The Night
The Plot: Though nightclub owner Bobby (Phoenix) and his police officer
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Movie Poster brother Joseph (Wahlberg) haven taken decidedly different paths in life, a
Michael Clayton
near-fatal incident causes them to unite in a deadly confrontation with the
Slueth
mobsters who run Bobby's club.
Lars and The Real Girl
THE BUZZ: It's like The Departed -- except they're brothers! And they
know it! Anyone jonesing for some post-quot;Sopranosquot; mafia action should get
their fix with this one. More...
Coming Soon
30 Days of Night
Rendition
Things We Lost in The Fire
Reservation Road
Gone Baby Gone
51. Home Page
IMDb.com Wireframes
Ad Spot
Login | Register My Movies IMDb Resume IMDb Pro
IMDb Logo Movie and TV Showtimes and
Now Playing New on DVD IMDb TV Message Boards
News Tickets
The Internet Movie Database: Visited by over 50 million movie and TV lovers each month! Welcome to the Internet Movie Database, the biggest, best, most
award-winning movie and TV site on the planet.
Movie News
SEARCH IMDb ALL
Tops at The Box Office Weds, October 10th 2007
Sutherland Pleads No Contest to
GO Drunk Driving
1. The Game Plan
2. The Heartbreak Kid
Lohan Speaks out From Rehab
3. The Kingdom
4. Resident Evil: Extinction
Hospital Workers Suspended for
5. The Seeker: The Dark is Rising
Featured Movie: We Own the Night quot;Leakingquot; Clooney Medical
Information
Director: James Gray
Opening This Week Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes (Full Cast)
Studio: Columbia Pictures
We Own The Night
The Plot: Though nightclub owner Bobby (Phoenix) and his police officer
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Movie Poster brother Joseph (Wahlberg) haven taken decidedly different paths in life, a
Michael Clayton
near-fatal incident causes them to unite in a deadly confrontation with the
Slueth
mobsters who run Bobby's club.
Lars and The Real Girl
THE BUZZ: It's like The Departed -- except they're brothers! And they
know it! Anyone jonesing for some post-quot;Sopranosquot; mafia action should get
their fix with this one. More...
Coming Soon
30 Days of Night
Rendition
Things We Lost in The Fire
Reservation Road
Gone Baby Gone