Up and Running?
Ask yourself these five key usability questions from Ilise Benun:

1 Is it intuitive?

• Does your site take advantage of visitors’ mental models?
• Does it behave consistently throughout?
• How easy is it to use with only partial knowledge of how it works?
• Is it easy to learn?

2 Is it consistent?

• Does it follow conventions that your users are familiar with?
• Is it obvious from one page to another that you’re on the same site?
• How quickly can novice users perform realworld tasks on the site?

3 Is it efficient?

• Does it download fast enough for your users?
• Does it take three clicks or less for users to find the content they’re looking for?
• Does the site reflect a clear understanding of how visitors will use it?
• Can tasks be performed with keyboard strokes?
• How easy is it for users to perform more complex tasks?
• Can common tasks be completed quickly and accurately?

4 Is it both supportable and supportive?

• Does it allow mistakes to be easily undone?
• Does it provide guidance? Advice? Tools? Reference materials? Access to live help?

5 Is it engaging?

• Do users feel in control?
• Will users enjoy their experience?

The website of Bronson Ma Creative combines white space with smart use of accent colors. Vivid green leads the eye to the most important feature on each page. On the home page, the newsletter button (GO!) beckons at the right of the screen.

Although Ma categorizes his work by project type, he offers a visual sampling of a little of everything with an introduction that employs a lively Flash technique (Flash is among the services he offers clients).

“I think since we are in the business of visual communication, the work really needs to stand out,” Ma says. “By putting the work in categories, the user can quickly identify where it is. And the interactivity makes it interesting to browse.”

Ma carefully manages accent colors within his portfolio pages and employs white space with artistry so the colors stand out to maximum effect throughout the site.