The single page website of musician Marco Z makes use of many of the major principles of design to create an inviting, and visually interesting experience for its users. The color palette used on the page is what first drew me in. In pairing the cool blue with tan, the designer creates a laid-back, casual feeling throughout the page. There is enough contrast between the background images/colors and the other images and text to be able to clearly distinguish each respectively, but there is not so much contrast that the page’s elements seem to vibrate/clash with each other. Just looking at the page makes the user feel relaxed, and that keeps them on the site longer. As far as texture goes, the designer uses a number of different things effectively. The texture of the bricks at the top of the page is very distinctive, and gives it an urban flair. As the user scrolls down, the bricks are replaced by intervals of the major colors, overlaid with a grainy texture similar to that of a corkboard/bulletin board. The other various images throughout the page are rendered in black and white, with a sketch-like quality to them. All of these textures give the page a certain air of quirkiness the further pushes the page’s inviting feel, and keeps the user engaged with the site.

The navigation of the site is fairly simple, and enables the user to easily read and interpret the information being conveyed. Everything is laid out vertically, and the color of the background switches between the page’s main colors with each new section of information. Nothing runs together, yet everything conforms to the same basic pattern and the site is quite easy to navigate as a result. The addition of the toolbar that occupies the top of the page (and remains there as the user scrolls down) gives the user the freedom to decide how they wish to navigate the site. By clicking on any of the tabs (Home, Concerts, Video, Photos, etc.), the browser jumps to the tab’s respective section of the page. The user can use this option, or can simply scroll down the page to locate the information they want.

Overall, the effective use of design principles on this page are what make it so effective. The contrast between the different elements make everything easy to read and understand, while also emphasizing the key points of information. The pattern created by the background gives the page a sense of rhythm, which helps to unify all of the different sections. The site is successful in its aim, as I am now quite interested in Marco Z’s work, and the visual strength of the page is the reason for that.