Design, web narrative, and a little bit 'o post-structuralism

I quite enjoyed this week's readings, and especially found myself nodding along with Mark Bernstein's A List Apart article. I found myself agreeing wholeheartedly with his argument that narrative was an important ingredient in creating a working, interesting, engaging website. In a practical sense I really feel he has a point, although he did remind me of some of the theories of Roland Barthes, like the 'death of the author' and non-linear texts. Barthes' very influential post-structuralist ideas were expanded upon and applied to hypertext theory by George Landlow. He used them to describe how to read digital online, hyperlinked texts, arguing that it was a realisation of Barthes theories. The argument is that when a user browses the web, there is no set linear narrative, they can click on which ever link they like, a 'choose your own adventure' thing where there are many different outcomes. While this, in theory, seems to ring true about the Internet, I think Bernstein's article shows that there is a clear intention of web intent makers to give websites a 'story' - a beginning, middle and end. In most cases the story is used as a selling tool, in the realm of websites being marketplaces. Which we of course know they are. Like many Utopian visions of the Internet, the idea of free hypertextuality - where readers can roam freely without the constraint of traditional conventions - is a myth. Designers play with our eyes, enticing us to certain parts of the page, making some links easier to find or more attractive than others. I often find that with some websites I have trouble seeing where to 'log in' - its often hidden in a corner or perhaps on another page like through the 'are you interested.' It sometimes make me wonder of the creators really want participants to the site. Like active users would just create more work so they discourage it. But that could be me and my conspiracy theories again.

I wonder if this debate is really real, or just in my head. Is the Internet really a free network of links where we as users are free to roam where-ever our little hearts desire? Or are we subconsciously funneled onto certain parts so we can 'read the narrative' of a website and use its services or products the way the designer wants us to. Is Foucault's biopolitcal theory of mass-management based on probable statistics at work on the Internet, the seemingly last bastion of the free? Have I lost the plot? Where did I put my shoes?

Links - RedBubble

You find out about the Internet not just on the Internet but in 'real life' too. On Saturday I was at the pub having drinks with a friend for her birthday, and I started talking to one of her friends about what I did and what she did. Turns out she's a graphic designer, working on colour and materials at a major car company, but also produces her own art. When she found out I was into the Internet, she started talking about RedBubble - an online space designed as a community for artist and a wider galley space and business. Often it is the case that ebusinesses are able to promote products that perhaps are aimed outside the traditional typical consumer groups. The products sold can often be described as 'niche' pr perhaps even 'alternative.' Sites like Etsy.com for handmade crafts and Threadless.com (as mentioned in class) for custom t-shirts are good examples of this. RedBubble has that same idea of promoting emerging artists who perhaps have not yet broken into the more typical areas of exposure.

Taking a look at RedBubble and it becomes clear that its business is focused on a sense of community of both artists and art appreciators or customers. This is another big feature of many online retail stores, perhaps the most famous examples is the user reviews at Amazon.com or the buyer/seller peer reviews on eBay.com. I guess customers feel a bigger sense of autonomy and power as compared to a traditional store where interacting with like-minded customers is more difficult.

RedBubble was started in my home town, Melbourne, and now it has offices in San Fransisco and I think also now London. Perhaps its key to success is its focus on community, and also the fairly unique pitch of being an 'online gallery' where art lovers can browse and perhaps the works of artists from their homes. Social photo sites such as Flickr.com already serves the same sort of purpose, but RedBubble has the hook of having 'real artists' (whatever that means in this world of participatory media) uploading their work.