Let’s take a moment and pretend you’re on Microsoft’s home page over at microsoft.com. The design is a good mixture of light and dark (in my opinion) and is relatively easy way to find your way around. The primary navigation menu is over to the right-hand side of the screen and provides a comprehensive overview of Microsoft’s immense site in a relatively small area. Kudos to ‘em for that particular element.
Now, let’s say you click on the Windows option from the main menu and select the page dedicated to Windows Vista. Whoa…you’re not in Kansas anymore. The area of the site dedicated to the Windows series of products is in an entirely different template, the main menu is in an entirely different location and you’ve just gone from a primarily dark theme to a light one.
Hey, at least the search bar is in the same place.
Now, let’s say you want to check out the latest security bulletins for your Windows-based product. Wait for it…
Yep, yet another design and the main menu has moved to the left. And that’s not all…
Microsoft Office Online:
Unlimited Potential Partner Program:
Windows Marketplace:
Microsoft Gaming:
Windows Server 2008:
Alright, so far we have at least eight different designs currently being used at Microsoft.com. Compare that with the different areas of Apple’s site at apple.com where you have one consistent theme throughout the entire site.
So, are we missing any designs that you’re aware of? Do you think the amount of different designs at Microsoft’s site have lead to as much confusion throughout the years as we do? Let us know in the comments.
