So I just read this interesting article from Stephane Thomas, who analyzed, critiqued and attempted to create structural wireframe websites for subsidiary companies of Automattic.
Automattic is a company founded by the creator of WordPress and is a host to multiple websites, that are similar in service. His critique is that all subsidiaries have a different structure to their information, aesthetic and usability. What he proposes is that similarities of each website must be recognized before any designing is to be had. Once the information has been gathered, then one can go about creating layouts that all follow a standardized look, function, tone and feel. Then he took a few of the websites and tried to put them in some sort of united form. At the end of his test, he conceded that to reduce all information into simplest terms was extremely difficult. He did not, however, say that it’s impossible, but keeping information accessibility seamless through multiple websites is a complex task.
Overall, I never really considered the way information is compiled so that it is fitting across the board from parent company to its daughter companies. To reduce and organize only the key information so that all companies have a consistent and seamless flow, is beyond my scope. I do, however, see the usefulness is designing a uniform structure because it’ll allow accessibility and mobility in and amongst these websites a lot easier and friendlier.
B Side 