I quite liked this website, in fact I feel the web design and layout choices are really nice. I am even using it as one of my source inspirations for my graphic design glass. I love how simple it is and that it brings in interactivity for the user. The simple black and pink color scheme is brilliant. The fact that even though the pink links part of the story is not visible at first glance, the story still makes sense without it.
The illustrations were really nice, it almost felt like they were linocuts (printmaking), the theme and tone of the website was very pleasant to the eyes. I think the navigation for this website is what really caught my eye, from choosing a body part by clicking on squares you are then led to paragraphs about said body part which includes links that can take you to a completely different body part. I also feel the storytelling in this website is particularly strong and personally very relatable. It is also quite vulnerable which is commendable to see how someone can get so personal and deep into who their inner self are online (on a website). I did however wish there was a navigation button that could directly take you to the homepage where the user can choose when to switch to a different body part.
I think this idea of a game on the experiences of depression is very interesting. I especially like the pick your own adventure aspect of the game, which allows the user to choose from a multiple of options and see its responses. This, I believe, could potentially help people who are suffering from depression understand their choices and the following impact of those choices better. I really appreciate the deeply personal writing style. It feels as though you’re reading someone’s unfiltered diary. In certain places it sure is slightly uncomfortable in that it feels voyeuristic, but the cramped proximity is how you develop a relationship with the character. It’s why, by the end, I was able to say I understood depression a bit better. It is also cool to see how the dull color scheme also adds to the scene and story; it truly does feel like the color gets sucked out of how you see the world. Overall a really powerful and impactful tool of understanding
I think right off the bat the different color boxes placed in this collage-type aesthetic is very eye catching and engaging. I think Malloy does a good job in recreating the effect of memories while using this theme of fluidity with the usage of hyperlinks and the effect of fragmentation and discontinuity is very apparent throughout much like memories. It genuinely feels like past moments/memories floating about to the surface. I feel the links allow for a very satisfying experience for the user. It ensures the reader greater creativity as to the form the reading will take. Another observation I made was the fact that Malloy tries to use text to form a visual representation/image in your head.