Mapping the websites

Mapping the Website

Maps come in all shapes and sizes, but not all maps are accurate. Throughout history many different types of maps have been used to depict the layout of the earth (Kuttainen, 2017). However, although not all maps are accurate each map serves a purpose. Each map is different and depending its intended purpose of use will be subject to whether it is useful (Wood, Kaiser, Abramms, 2001, pp. 12).

Maps can have many purposes; whether it be to find out a location, to find a route to a specific place, or even to chart unknown territory. Although maps can be of great use they can also cause lots of trouble. When Imagine Games Network (IGN) first started the creators of the website needed to plan exactly how the page would look. The idea behind creating a beautiful website is that people should automatically trust it and engage with it (The Conversation, 2011). With the notion of people trusting attractive things without a second thought, it may really be that easy to drag people of all ages into such a low sense of security.

It can be seen in the design of the IGN website that the creators took due time and care to construct a place where it was easy to navigate and user friendly. When browsing the homepage of IGN, it is obvious that the designers placed every little detail on the page exactly where it needed to be to attract the attention of every viewer. Although it is so well planned the layout off the site does not end there. The minor details as to where to put the search bar, where the task bar should be located and of incredible minor specifics such as what stories shall show on the main page.

When comparing a webpage directly to a map, both are very close in design layout. For instance, if you take the task bar of the IGN webpage it can be directly translated into the legend that if displayed on a map. Another way to directly compare the two is when trying to get somewhere on a map, generally there is a path that must be followed. It is the exact same online, following each step to get to the end target.

Both maps and websites are unique in their own way. While each map and website are different in their own retrospect, both can be considered very similar at the same time. This is due to multiple contributing factors such as layout, legends, and each one has its own specific purpose. The power imbedded into the IGN website is vast with such thought going into such creative design. It is imperative to that the website like maps, is always growing and changing as new terrain is covered.

Figure 1. IGN Homepage (https://s2778895.wordpress.com/)

References

IGN Homepage [Image]. (2012). Retrieved from https://s2778895.wordpress.com/2012/08/30/the-website/ign-homepage/

Kuttainen, V. (2017). BA1002: Our space: Networks, narratives and the making of place, lecture 2: Power. [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://learnjcu.edu.au

The Conversation. (2011). Trust me, web users … I’m Beautiful. Retrieved from http://theconversation.com/trust-me-web-users-im-beautiful-2337

Wood, D., Kaiser, L. W., Abramms B. (2001). Seeing through Maps: Many Ways to See the World.                 Oxford, UK: The Internationalist Publications