A site that I found to be competition to the site that my group is building for Intro to Web Design is called Parts and Labor. The site is created in Squarespace, as figured out through clicking on the Menu button and seeing the static menu content. The layout consists of horizontal sections with images and text that correspond to which page is selected. The site starts out with a navigation bar at the top and a full-page image that tells the user to swipe down. Fixed images make the page feel like it is longer and gives a parallax effect to the overall site. The layout is continuous throughout the site. On other pages, there is a horizontal section that displays text depending on what page corresponds with the navigation bar selection. The footer is a big section at the bottom that provides links to other bars and restaurants (presumably owned by the same company/owner), an Instagram feed and Twitter feed.
The colors are dark and consolidated to white, reds and black. A mood is set with the dark theme found throughout the site; the site itself feels restricted and more reserved, lending to privacy and sophistication. The non-use of extraneous frills in design also lends to a sophisticated feeling. White, and the use of white space, is important, which is why including the color white is a good break from the dark theme. It also gives a chance to redeem hierarchy that can be lost in a dark environment.
There is little use of texture throughout the site, lending better to flat design and reliance on typography to convey messages. Where images do convey the use of texture, it is grainy and grungy, also lending to a break from flat colors. These images act as anchors for the eyes.
Navigation is primarily conducted from the navigation bar at the top of the website. The footer serves for additional navigation and external social media links.
The final project is still being built out, but our site can benefit from this analysis by adding a slight texture to the background, some lighter elements and full-sized image sliders found in this site. There is also a navigation through pagination found on the right side of the homepage of Parts and Labor that serves an important role in breadcrumbing.