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Film commission online

No way a New Zealand web design company could've done a better job than that. No way.

< / sarcasm >

What gives film commission? Worth all the controversy was it?

Kinda bollicks in the end, possibly it was cheaper overseas, i don't know, seems absolutely absurd in the end

Holy shit.

Image sliced table soup that can't even validate as HTML 4.01 !?!?! I mean it's like a validation nightmare.

Were they not able to get the NZ e-gov guidelines translated into Australian?

The design is about as inspiring at a telephone book.

Are we in the 90s again?

Also doesn't it just feel wierd with no footer?

This whole thing is just so ridiculously fucked up.

I'm not even going to bother going on about the fact it was contracted to an Australian firm. Anybody who doesn't think this is a big deal needs to take a long hard look at themselves.

Even if you were to disregard that, the site is still terrible.

As mentioned by Ross, the lack of footer makes the whole site look a little tweaked. On pages which run past the bottom of the window it is not such a big deal, but these pages are fewer than those which do not. Pages such as the Links page just look bizarre.

The numer of text images is just silly, as is the quality of them. Most of them look different shades due to the way they have anti-aliased at such small scale, something that is not hard to avoid/correct.

Personal dislikes:
- The links above the header image annoy me.

- I feel the feel the site would be much warmer if there were more non-text images in it. Perhaps a continuation of the flash banner on the front page but in a smaller scale (Integrated in the footer maybe?).
This might of course be seen as un-necessary filler, and too much on the form side of the form/function argument. However , (as i say above) I feel this would make the page seem warmer and more inviting to the visitor, something that surely falls under function.

- The search bar on the right hand side is not padded properly in Netscape.

< / rant > < sleep >

There does not have to be a conflict of form/function ever - form is a function, perhaps more esoteric than a content management system, but real all the same.

As far as the film commission site - you're right, it's a let-down, if only because it could have been an iconic NZ site, but instead breaks validation rules, Govt guidelines and basically lacks attention to detail (in both style and technical implementation as previously mentioned.)

But cheaper overseas? That can't be a reason, surely. If cost was really the issue there are plenty of html hacks that will do the job for a hot dinner. With all the money spent by the NZ government on promoting our creative sector recently (through NZTE, BetterbyDesign etc.) why does one of our principal creative funding bodies look overseas for talent that's available here? Pardon my French, but dammit man, there's no excuse for that (and arguments about available technology and expertise are simply hot air...)

Anyway, sounds like we're all preaching to the converted in this forum anyway - the real education needs to happen in the public realm. People need to know that for a well-funded, high-profile site like this we could do better, and we could do it locally. Still, the site works with javascript turned off (which is more than can be said for some...)

no on had the tech skills to make it?

well thats fucked up, hit it looks like basic flash anyway, and who cant code vaild sites in new zealand? :p

surely shift or terabyte have the skills needed for this sort of work..im quite shocked that shift didnt handle it actually, they seem pretty friendly with e-gov sites.

I just don't really like the way the branding is dis-integrated...

I mean, the Gordon Walters logo has something going for it... but the result is crappified by a static and linear layout... definitely not iconic, but no doubt talking the .NET walk, which is what everyone wants these days isn't it?

I agree with some of these comments, especially about the job being given to a non-Kiwi firm (unless it's a Kiwi company based in Oz?) - there's really no reasonable excuse I can think of - many NZ web firms offer affordable world class design.

But... quite frankly I thought (NZ-based) Oktobor did an appaling job of the previous (2002-2005) version - it was un-navigable and un-readable. The latest site IS an improvement in my opinion...

Disclaimer (actually, a 'Claimer'): I designed the original NZ Film site way back 1997/1998 and again at the end of 2000. I still think the 2000 version (which I designed and coded in one day) still stacks up as the most aesthetic and usable version to date...

Here's a screenshot:
http://www.zefamedia.co.nz/images/nzfilm2000.jpg

Hey NZ Film - give it back!

---
Zef

zef[a]media (night) + PROVOKE (day)

Zef, your design does work better than this whole, in your face, blue colour scheme. What's with that?

And Nic, I agree, the no. of text images used is crazy.

After working as a Designer for Waikato Uni, I learnt a little about the treatment of Maori art. The koru design watermark located on every page down the right side of the site has been cut off at the beginning and end. You may think this is being too picky - but this is an integral part of NZ/Maori culture and not to mention, the prestigious Film Commission. The way it's been treated in this site is more of a mockery than anything.

Thx.

While on the topic of Maori art...

...I'm in the process of writing an article on 'culturally aware website design'. The article will be aimed at online media designers, and ultimately contain some guidelines.

I would like to look at this from a NZ perspective, including looking at Maori and Pacifican influences.

Does anyone here have experience in this area? I'm keen to get stories of your experiences and perspectives... Either post your comments to this list - or email me

I actually phoned the film commision about forwarding onto them a proposal for the new look site and I would have to say that if the new site is anything to go by then they hired the wrong people. What an absolute joke. However, in saying that, New Zealand really needs to up the anti a little when it comes to web design as much as it needs to start paving the way for the next generation of web designers. Too much talent is going to waste in this country at the moment and it's a real shame.

Nice point Zef, There is one NZ value really missing from the new site - Innovation.

Yeah yeah man It's definately lacking a tad of black and silver as well. What is with that?? It's a New Zealand website after all.

Maybe its too early in the morning, and maybe I haven't had enough coffee... but I keep instinctively trying to scroll down...
Wheres the footer damnit!