Week 1 - by Jeanne Cost

Part 1

Real Simple - http://www.realsimple.com or see image

The Real Simple site uses hierarchy by putting the big photo in the middle of the page. You know that is the most important story. Then the less important ads and other stories are on the right, with others below the fold.

The site makes use of lines to separate the top area from the bottom photo area, as well as from the areas on the right. There are also boxes around the areas on the right which helps to "contain" the different content. I also think the white background and use of white space between the various areas, makes it very clean and easy to read.

My suggestion would be to remove some of the elements above the menu, such as the tab on the right for Subscribe or the link to "make RealSimple my home page". That seems to clutter up the design a bit.

First Tech Credit Union - http://www.firsttech.com or see image

The First Tech Credit Union site uses unity by using an arrow treatment from their logo to the banners on the right and at the bottom (in the Flash piece as well). They also use another version of the right arrow to indicate links.

They also use lines to help separate the various content areas. They use some with rounded corners which is not as boxy or harsh as the squared off corners.

I think the site could use some more white space at the top. There are a lot of elements crammed together up there and the Login button is the most important one for members.

Part 2

This is from an ad in Real Simple magazine. It is for Mastercard.

The ad makes use of space by having the card with the city floating in the air, in the center of the ad. My eye first went to the balloon (which is bright orange and yellow), then I was drawn to the white building and around. The card at the bottom has various use of lines, including the curved lines in the middle and the skyline. The effifel tower draws your eye back up towards the clouds.