Beer stain graphics?

Andy Harris gives his observations on a site that he describes as using a beer stain graphic structure. As weird as it sounds, I have to admit that is an accurate description. The Icel Group Web site looks like someone left beer glass stains on the front of the top page. To them, I guess it is what they there wanting. To me however, it looks rather silly.

Because of this layout, it is my belief that visitors will find the navigation to be annoying and cumbersome. Then again, that is just my feeling on the matter. Perhaps some folks like this type of look. Still, one must remember that it is what the visitors think, not what we think that is important.

You know when you’re in a pub and you put a glass down and it leaves a wet ring on the surface that’s slightly smudged? That’s what I was reminded of today when I looked at the web site of Icel Group  http://www.icel-group.co.uk/index.html).

On that home page the navigation structure consists of one big circle surrounded by other smaller circles, all of which allow you to go to other parts of the site. You won’t need to take a particularly close look at the screen to see what I call beer stain graphics because it’s very clear what I mean. Each of those circles is a badly drawn graphic that wouldn’t look out of place on the surface of a pub bar after someone has picked up their pint.