The background colors used to highlight buttons don't show up well on my machine (windows / LCD monitor). (I'm referring to the the main navigation buttons and to the buttons in the Community bubble.)
On some level 2/3 pages, there is a change in background color part way through the content (a light tan block that extends to the left and right of the content column). I'm not very fond of the way it looks and don't think it adds anything; I'd vote to remove it and keep a white background all the way down.
Comments about HR banner search tool:
I understand that this was carried over from the HR site, so we may be stuck with it. However, two comments.
First, a single radio button is useless. Radio buttons are meant to be used in pairs or sets, to choose between options. So why is it there?
Second, in the past, usability/accessibility people at MIT have indicated that it's not acceptable to put "Search" inside the text input box. "Search" should be text or graphics outside of, and before, the input box. We may want to wait for their review before acting on this, though.
Feedback from Accessibility and Usability . (Formal report to follow)
The site width is bigger than my browser display area and I have to scroll across. I missed the Search box the first time, as well as other items.
The "Community" header spelled sideways down the page is not accessible and a problem. The text needs to be horizontal.
Other problems that stand out: Orange text on any background. White text on orange background. Not enough contrast either way.
Next to the sideways "Community" Header, "Fun", "Jargon" and "News" run together like a phrase. I didn't realize they were 3 different links.
The Search text should appear to the left of the search box, not inside it.
The submenus that appear when you roll over "Your MIT", "Your Checklists", "Your Benefits" should move up closer to the actual header so the user can associate the links with the correct header.
3 Comments
Robert Wilt
Comments about design:
The background colors used to highlight buttons don't show up well on my machine (windows / LCD monitor). (I'm referring to the the main navigation buttons and to the buttons in the Community bubble.)
On some level 2/3 pages, there is a change in background color part way through the content (a light tan block that extends to the left and right of the content column). I'm not very fond of the way it looks and don't think it adds anything; I'd vote to remove it and keep a white background all the way down.
Comments about HR banner search tool:
I understand that this was carried over from the HR site, so we may be stuck with it. However, two comments.
First, a single radio button is useless. Radio buttons are meant to be used in pairs or sets, to choose between options. So why is it there?
Second, in the past, usability/accessibility people at MIT have indicated that it's not acceptable to put "Search" inside the text input box. "Search" should be text or graphics outside of, and before, the input box. We may want to wait for their review before acting on this, though.
Kenneth Paul
This is a terrific combination of ideas. I'm not crazy about the banner treatment, though.
Ranjani Saigal
Feedback from Accessibility and Usability . (Formal report to follow)
The site width is bigger than my browser display area and I have to scroll across. I missed the Search box the first time, as well as other items.
The "Community" header spelled sideways down the page is not accessible and a problem. The text needs to be horizontal.
Other problems that stand out: Orange text on any background. White text on orange background. Not enough contrast either way.
Next to the sideways "Community" Header, "Fun", "Jargon" and "News" run together like a phrase. I didn't realize they were 3 different links.
The Search text should appear to the left of the search box, not inside it.
The submenus that appear when you roll over "Your MIT", "Your Checklists", "Your Benefits" should move up closer to the actual header so the user can associate the links with the correct header.