Like last year’s website, we decided to make this one completely in Flash 8, except with a much simplified back end - so it’s not loading a whole new SWF for something as tame as opening the menu - and a 3D intro (by me)! Loading XML files also makes my life a bit easier. Some changes still should be made but otherwise I’m satisfied.
Check it out and please report any errors, specifying the section (Trobotics, Community, Competition, or Media) and the page (About the Team, Meet the Crew, etc…) inside the section.
Well, I think the site is pretty cool. As you know, I also designed my website in Flash (although CS3). I think the Flash design makes it look more professional and up-to-date. Most professional websites are moving towards Flash so why shouldn’t FIRST websites?
Otherwise, everything looks great. The new countdown looks cool too.
Most professional sites use flash for banners, emphasizing and cool little effects, not their full site. Flash usually makes the site harder to edit and slow to load for users that don’t have high-speed internet or a good computer.
There are quite a bit of cool flash websites out there.
Your content should not be defined by your imagery, but moreover your imagery should exemplify the content. Any professional designer use’s Flash to bring out more emphasis on a specific section (i.e. the header, title, or specific ad placement), but to base your entire design upon it is just foolish. You need to think of the end-user, the time it takes for them to load and the ease of navigation.
Yup, I thought of the end user That’s why all of the site is compressed and clean. It’s more or less the same design you could do in HTML, but with smooth animation for… better flow .
And I really have to emphasize the animation aspect. That’s what (in theory) ties my whole site together, and why I chose Flash. People have said the animation is intuitive and it made one person think of Flash in a new light as well (she said “this is what a Flash site should be”) so I’m happy. Do you think it’s done its job?
I’ve taken all your critique seriously though. A few design considerations I’ve considered for next year are dynamically loading the images I need, instead of making them part of the SWF. Thereby, the actual content loads faster, and it’s just like a web page, but with animated elements! What do you guys think?
Hit Replay Intro on the main menu. It’s in the bottom right corner, above the quotes.
The “new” is not flash…
Its flash banners.
The “new” is more php for structure and java script for the exta dynamic and look…
although I like you site…
Its doesn’t look very over-decorated and kitschy like most of the flash sites.
I love the site, very well done, but I also don’t like using Flash as an entire site. With internet access moving from desktops to mobile devices (not all supporting flash), you are limiting some from viewing your site.
But +1 for “A better understanding of drill bit sizes”
Now, I know you guys don’t like Flash very much because it’s inflexible from a content standpoint, but I’m sticking with my guns for next year. It will involve Flash in a significant way.
That doesn’t mean I can’t mix in a little Dojo for top-level navigation, news, and such!
And I’ll follow a lot of advice from this forum to overcome some shortfalls in Flash, including dynamically loading images and increased use of the XML backend, and maybe even a layout engine!
Alright, I decided that I’d do some sweeping changes to the photo gallery system! Now the gallery supports albums and the ability to download the image (which has always been a secret want of the communications team when they make pamphlets, I’m sure).
As a result, now we can add two albums for our Portland and Seattle regionals!
Match video(s) will come soon too.
I love the design and how it flows effortlessly… most flash website seem intent on hogging 275% of the CPU power but your design seems to be as light as a feather…
good job!
I’m not surprised at all you snagged a website award… you deserve it!
-Leav
p.s.
the videos are not playing for me (except the game animation… that works)
Thanks!
Everyone’s saying it’s simple, I’ll have to keep this in mind for next year.
As for the videos… they do play eventually, like 5 seconds after you click them. I’m not sure why they don’t play right away but I suspect it has to do with the connection, because it plays right away on mine, but not my school’s computer, etc… Any solutions?
Oh yes, and I’ve perfected the art of loading images dynamically, rather than as a huge SWF blob. Sections should now work faster on slow connections, and the images have been bumped up in quality noticeably.
That’s why all of the site is compressed and clean. It’s more or less the same design you could do in HTML, but with smooth animation for… better flow 
.