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Flash criteria and scoring

Created 2003-01-30. Reviewed 2005-04-25: Added clarifications and requisites for children' sites; Reworded the item in our Privacy Policy regarding "Children Privacy Protection".

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Items evaluation

We will evaluate the following aspects:

1. Originality in concept and content
2. Innovation and distinction
3. Visual appealing and artistic sensibility
4. Quality of Design (including motion design)
5. Quality of sound and music, if used

We will penalize the following items if and when found:

1. Long loading time;
2. Minimal-repetitive sound loops;
3. Failure to correctly display at 800x600 (i.e. horizontal scrolling);
4. Excessive "empty space";
5. Weak visibility, bad color scheme, small font sizes and definition;
6. Excessive use of moving elements and object effects;
7. Difficult concentration and visual fatigue: looping or flashing elements should be used wisely and should not be a source of visual distraction and/or eye fatigue;
8. Difficult navigation, overall weak usability;
9. Use of free Flash templates.

Criteria breakdown and scoring

Your site will be evaluated on the following ten items, and scored from 1 to 5 as described:

1. Originality in concept
   1. Not distinguishable from a myriad of other websites.
   2. Lack of originality, some elements similar to several other websites.
   3. Average, most elements and concepts are original.
   4. Above average, unusual approach.
   5. Outstanding, unique approach.
2. Originality in the material used (graphics, sound, etc )
   1. No original material.
   2. Some original material (less than 30%).
   3. Average (more than 55% of the material is original).
   4. Above average (more than 75% of the material is original).
   5. All material is original as far as we can determine.
3. Innovation and distinction
   1. Not distinguishable from a myriad of other websites.
   2. Use of common and outdated techniques.
   3. Well proven techniques used in a usual way.
   4. Well proven techniques used in an innovative way.
   5. Innovative and original techniques, used in an unique way.
4. Visual appealing and impact
   1. No visual appeal.
   2. Below average appeal, no durable impression.
   3. Average visual appeal, pleasant to the eye and spirit.
   4. Above average appeal, remarkable and durable impression.
   5. Outstanding, breath-taking, a true masterpiece.
5. Artistic sensibility
   1. Shows no artistic skills and/or signs of creativity or aesthetic concerns.
   2. Shows a weak artistic sensibility. No aesthetic concerns.
   3. Creative use of elements and aesthetic concerns are evident.
   4. Refined aesthetic and artistic feelings are evident.
   5. The web site itself is a work-of-art.
6. Quality of design (including implementation and coding skills)
   1. Minimal design and implementation, evidence of weak web authoring skills, too many errors.
   2. Below average design and implementation, beginner level skills, some errors.
   3. Average design and implementation, intermediate level skills, minor errors.
   4. Above average design and implementation, professional level skills, no errors.
   5. Outstanding design, flawless implementation, master level skills.
7. Appropriate design for the site's content and audience
   1. Not appropriated, not recommendable, not usable.
   2. Not appropriated, hardly usable.
   3. Average, appropriated and usable.
   4. Appropriated, easy to use.
   5. Design adds to content, intuitive and effortless use.
8. Quality of motion design
   1. Causes distraction, not appropriated. Too many looping or flashing elements.
   2. Difficult concentration, causes eye fatigue.
   3. Balanced use of moving, looping and flashing elements.
   4. Non-static elements fits web site well, are wisely used and are appropriate to content.
   5. Non static elements add value to web site's design and content.
9. Quality of music and/or sounds loops
   1. Minimal-repetitive sound loops, no sound control.
   2. Sound control available, low web audio quality (e.g.. 8 Kbit/s, 11 KHz, mono)
   3. Sound control available. Appropriate to content. Average web audio quality (e.g. 16 Kbit/s, 11 KHz, stereo)
   4. Sound control available. Adds value to content. Above average web audio quality (e.g. 16 Kbit/s, 22 KHz, stereo).
   5. Sound control available. Original and/or adds value to content. Excellent web audio quality (e.g. 32 Kbit/s, 44 KHz, stereo).
10. Quality of development (loading and viewing)
    1. Long loading time (more than 120 sec @ 56 Kbps), no preloader, no progress bar. Not viewable at 800x600, horizontal scrolling.
    2. Long loading time (max. 120 sec @ 56 Kbps), preloader, no progress bar. Viewable at 800*600, too much empty space at 1024x768.
    3. Average loading time (max. 90 sec @ 56 Kbps], preloader, progress bar. Viewable at both 800x600 and 1024x768.
    4. Below average loading time (max. 60 sec @ 56 Kbps), preloader, progress bar. Flawless presentation at 800x600, viewable at 1024x768.
    5. Below average loading time (max. 45 sec @ 56 Kbps), preloader, progress bar. Flawless presentation at both 800x600 and 1024x768.

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Calculation of the final score

For each evaluator, the calculated score is the average of the scores attained at each of the above 10 items (possible scores are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Rounding is done to 1 decimal figure, for instance 2.435 is rounded to 2.4

Scores from more than one evaluator will be averaged. Result is rounded to 1 decimal figure.

To be awarded the "Aracnofilia Web Design Award", the site must attain the minimum average of 4.4. Furthermore, no more than a single item described above may attain a score below 4, in no case should any item be scored below 3 and items 3, 4 and 6 must score at least 4.

Regarding the "High In The Sky Award", a minimum average of 3.6 is required in this Design evaluation. Also, no more than four items can be scored below 4 and in no case should any item be scored below 3.

You can use the Flash Self-Test to check your site against this scoring procedure and get a score that will allow you to calculate the chances of passing this evaluation.

If you have any question or doubt about this procedure, please do not hesitate to call. Please visit our contact page, where you can find a feedback form and our e-mail addresses.

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