This is the first edition of a weekly post discussing opinions on any subject loosely related to design between Mike and the new designer at Konspiracy Studios, Christine Doore.

With the conventions closing up, it feels like a good time to compare the campaigns from a advertising and design standpoint. The idea has been on my mind, along with many other designers, after seeing the Obama website. Coincidentally,  this month’s edition of Print Magazine ran an article praising the design and usability of the site.

   CD: Each candidate has an image to uphold,  but do each of their campaign websites reflect them and their efforts well? Putting all politics aside, and solely based on design, I’d have to say that that Barack Obama would win my vote. Although patriotism is an essential theme to each website, Obama’s website is more vivid, colorful, and eye catching, without going overboard and looking cheesy or too flamboyant.

MG: The Obama site sports a good mix of gradients, icons and photography. McCain’s site is still good but lacks a certain element of coherence. When it comes to layout all the modules are strongly defined with borders. The gradient flow of Obama’s really serves as a focal point directing you eye where to go.

  CD: Both candidates have the same website layout for the most part,.McCain’s website definitely is well designed as well, but the color choices are a tad dull whereas Obama’s choice of colors are more refreshing.

MG: I think that odd teal color is a direct result of the “Make Mccain Exciting Challange” from the Colbert Report.

  CD: McCain’s website is clear and simple to read or find information easily. Obama’s downfall here is mostly because of his lack of simplicity to an extent.

MG: Speaking of simplicity, “BarackTV” always KILLS my flash player and forces me to abort the script or quit firefox. I’m surprised that hasn’t been fixed yet. I’d say both sites are about equally navigatable. I thought the choice of typfaces was very telling. The use of Gotham on Obama’s site was refreshing, I don’t think the font has been in existence for more than 10 years. I read that Optima (McCain’s logo font) was used on the Vietnam Memorial coincidence? One final note about fonts, why would you ever choose Trebuchet MS in anything related to an election?!?! It’s ALMOST as bad a Papyrus…

  CD: Both websites are clearly democratic versus republican IF your aware of each candidate and their stance on each issue.

  MG: True, I’d say that both are good for their target. Although, the Obama site is a design masterpiece. We’ll see next election if it raised the bar for everyone.

Check out the websites and decide for yourself!