When most college students hear 'National Public Radio', their minds immediately go to their parents' and grandparents' generations. The Baby Boomer generation is well known for listening to and advocating for NPR because they enjoy the variety. While NPR is known for its in-depth radio reporting, its' website is quickly becoming an integral part of its' success.
The website's layout is clean and organized, breaking the written content down into three specific categories on the navigation bar, which include News, Arts & Life and Music. The navigation bar also gives readers an opportunity to listen to NPR and check out their national podcasts, in addition to their written content. The navigation bar has a feature where the page you are viewing is dog tagged, just like a book! It is little touches like the dog tag that make a website accessible and fun to use.
Aesthetically, it is pleasing to the reader. It sticks with NPR's signature color scheme of blue, red, white and black, promoting consistency across the subdivisions. The font is slightly larger, making it easier to read for some of NPR's older clientele. Pictures accompany every story description. The ads are noticeable, but do not overwhelm the webpage.
Instead, the stories are the focus. Each story is comprehensive and incorporates every possible multimedia platform. RSS Feeds, photo slideshows, audio clips from other NPR radio shows, and Twitter updates from multiple accounts are all emphasized as different avenues for readers to get their information. Even in dealing with stories that are breaking, such as the GOP Debate, NPR had a live blog, Twitter updates and a very active comments section.
NPR has recognized that journalism is evolving into something much greater than radio waves and have made necessary changes to move their journalistic presence online. They seem to be constantly implementing new social media strategies, which will keep them "hip" with the web generation.
The website's layout is clean and organized, breaking the written content down into three specific categories on the navigation bar, which include News, Arts & Life and Music. The navigation bar also gives readers an opportunity to listen to NPR and check out their national podcasts, in addition to their written content. The navigation bar has a feature where the page you are viewing is dog tagged, just like a book! It is little touches like the dog tag that make a website accessible and fun to use.
Aesthetically, it is pleasing to the reader. It sticks with NPR's signature color scheme of blue, red, white and black, promoting consistency across the subdivisions. The font is slightly larger, making it easier to read for some of NPR's older clientele. Pictures accompany every story description. The ads are noticeable, but do not overwhelm the webpage.
Instead, the stories are the focus. Each story is comprehensive and incorporates every possible multimedia platform. RSS Feeds, photo slideshows, audio clips from other NPR radio shows, and Twitter updates from multiple accounts are all emphasized as different avenues for readers to get their information. Even in dealing with stories that are breaking, such as the GOP Debate, NPR had a live blog, Twitter updates and a very active comments section.
NPR has recognized that journalism is evolving into something much greater than radio waves and have made necessary changes to move their journalistic presence online. They seem to be constantly implementing new social media strategies, which will keep them "hip" with the web generation.