Interface Design: VoiceThread

Information Design:
The primary users of VoiceThread are educators and students.
The amount of information presented on the homepage is a lot, but is presented in a parallel, easy-to-read and follow way. Information is chunked int he center of the screen with visual and verbal clues and headers directing the users.The language used is basic enough that a younger audience may read it and understand. Larger size headings direct users to a specific function and the graphics used are relevant and easily comphrendable. For example, visual cues are shown underneath the heading "Comment" and a different icon is used for each type of commenting that can be used: voice (mic or phone), text, audio file, and webcam. The consistency of the site is on and off. By clicking on a category tab (travel, classroom, etc.) the consistency in graphics, color, and type is well done, but when creating a VoiceThread or viewing your account, the consistency is a little off. It is not clear how to get back to the homepage or how to start creating a thread, you kind of have to play around with different functions in order to find out. The detail about making a VoiceThread and specific rules and regulations or specific functions within creating a thread are not properly detailed anywhere that I can see.

Interactivity:
Orientation is pretty basic in the VoiceThread site. There are essential three main areas you can explore (browse, my voice, and create). You can quickly navigate you way around. Sub-topics are branched to larger topics. For example, when you are browsing the threads you can select "all" "today" "this week" or "this month". The functionality works very well for the most part. The only problem is when you are using the actual voice thread technology, certain problems arise that effect the overall functionality and merit of the site.

On Screen Design:
My first impression of the Voicethread website was that it was designed in an easy understand interface. It wasn't oo flashy or too detailed, just basic, with the amount of information on each page. The interface isn't the most impressive and lacks a little creativity, but it suites the technology it was designed for. The resloution and colors are fine. Three main colors are used: red, white, and gray. The layout is well done. Voicethread used a three colum layout to display and organize information, which maker all the information readable because it is a recognizable structure to users.