Pier 1 imports

http://www.pier1.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-pier1_us-Site/default/Default-Start?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=pier%20one&utm_content={K_CREATIVE_HEADLINE}&utm_campaign=Brand&gclid=CP_s_5WU87YCFYHc4AodBzsAkw

Pier 1 uses a green wicker wrapper with a white background. Showing a depth and difference on the page. The logo is placed in the top left where your eyes focus/ start reading first. All of the links to social media are at the top right close to the search bar to help find what you are looking for. The large photo in the middle of the page is a scrolling slideshow that displays different products and specials. 

Ikea Website

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/?cid=us|ps|branded|EST_BR_Core_Other|go|IKEA_online

Ikea's website is an all white background site with plenty of pictures. The navigation is kind of boring and small. Some of the breathing room for the navigation text is way too tight, for example "all" is being crowded by outsides of the box. Some of the photos on the page are poorly placed and some overlap text and other photos on the page. This makes the pictures seem crowded and cluttered. I think spacing the photos out in some kind of table fashion would be better and more organized.

Snicker Doodles Website

http://www.snickrdoodles.com/

This website focuses on reselling used items....well let's just say they need help on their web page. 

The creepy baby photo is very unwelcoming and may turn some people away. They need a better photo of either the business front or a happy family/ child using their services. The main page jumps after awhile to another page without touching any links. It is very annoying and confusing. 

The hierarchy with the typography on the page needs better font chooses and to select one color instead of many. The navigation buttons are also very misplaced for this site they have no connection with the site. 

Build*A*Bear

http://www.buildabear.com/shopping/

Build A Bear Workshop uses a color scheme of primary colors. Using blue as the shingles for the roof, yellow siding, and red for accents on the page like in the logo. They also use a green at the bottom for the grass/ footer.

The site is easy to navigate, showing all of the newer products on the main page in a slideshow banner and underneath allowing you to click on. I like how the shopping cart "your basket", is a different color than the other items on the navigation bar.

I think they could change up the layout of the page a little, having less on the main page to highlight important products and information.

Janis Annesley Photography Website

http://www.janisannesleyphotography.com/mp_includes/index.asp

This website for her photography is lacking in showing off her photos. Her navigation is on the right side of the page which is different. The navigation could also be larger to be less straining on the viewer's eyes. Less photos on the main page would be less distracting, larger photos will also help the viewer appreciate the work this photographer is trying to display.  

Ruby's Photography Website

http://rubysphoto.com/


This website for "Ruby's Photography" needs some loving touches. Her header is stretched and became blurry in the process. Her navigation font size is very small and can use an adjustment in leading. She also has another navigation/ links above the centered photos. The "back" and "next" links should stand out more than they currently do with having them lower cased. The search bar on the bottom left is very unclear as to what purpose it contains. At first I thought it was a random rectangle put on by accident. But I then saw that I could type inside of the bar. It needs to have some kind of recognition that it can be used to search for photos. 

Remembrance Studios Website

http://www.remembrancestudios.com/

This website for a photographer/ DJ is uninviting and lacking in any kind of creativity. If I were to stumble upon his page when looking for a photographer, I would laugh and look elsewhere for help. The photo that he chose for his main page is a very busy and does not display any kind of photography skill. Using an average photo as a main page photo really draws people away from your site and services. If he were to display a better photo of a person or beautiful landscape area then viewers will want to click through his pictures and become interested in his services.
As for being a "DJ" as well there are no photos showing his equipment or him dj-ing. If I were wanting his services I would like to see some photos of how he presents himself and how his equipment looks.

For the website itself, the website is very basic and boring. The background color is an off white, which is an okay choice for displaying photos but his photos should be larger to be able to see all of the details. I would also have an more inviting header or image to grab the attention of the viewer as soon as they load your page.

Izard Photo Website

http://www.izardphoto.com/

This photography website needs to be reorganized. It's set up is overwhelming and cluttered. The balance of her photos verses navigation is lacking. There needs to be less photos on the front page or have a system to show a slideshow or a way to click a thumbnail and make it larger. The navigation for the site is scattered in with all of the photos. Each navigation link is tossed and unplanned in this website.
I would keep the navigation at the top of the page and have the photos underneath the header. I don't mind the coloring of the typography on this page but the hierarchy needs to be addressed in this website.