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Running head: MLB AND NFL WEBSITES 1

MLB AND NFL WEBSITES 3

Comparing and Contrasting MLB and NFL Websites

July 3, 2019

Comparing and Contrasting MLB and NFL Websites

Some key principles of graphic design are proximity, alignment, repetition, and contrast. Proximity generates relationships in objects within an image. Equally, alignment prioritizes unity and organizes information, thus making it clearer and extra professional. Similarly, repetition emphasizes consistency and thereby renders a document logical. Likewise, contrast captures audiences’ attention and highlights the most salient ideas viewers should grasp. Within this context, the Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Football League (NFL) websites are in the same genre because they cover sports affairs and are owned and operated by sporting organizations. Accordingly, it would be insightful to compare and contrast the MLB and the NFL websites based on their use of the design principles of proximity, alignment, repetition, and contrast.

Regarding proximity, both the MLB and the NFL have placed related items close to each other, thus presenting these as a single graphic unit. To this end, the top right-hand side of the MLB homepage has a section titled “Latest News” under which news items are enumerated (see Figure 1) (MLB Advanced Media, LP., n.d.). Similarly, the top right side of the NFL homepage has a tab titled “News” under which news stories are listed (see Figure 2) (NFL Productions LLC., n.d.).

Figure 1: MLB – Use of proximity

Figure 2: NFL – Use of proximity

Despite these similarities, the NFL uses proximity more than the MLB. This is because, compared to the MLB, the NFL has classified the presented information into a larger number of categories. These information categories include: “NFL UK”, “analysis”, “NFL throwback”, “from the clubs”, “latest news”, “featured”, “fantasy football”, “state of the franchise”, and “NFL 100” (NFL Productions LLC.). Conversely, the MLB has fewer information categories including “MLB community” and “spotlight” (MLB Advanced Media, LP.).

Concerning alignment, both the MLB and the NFL have positioned their respective corporate logos at the top left hand side of the homepage. Similarly, the websites have placed their “sign in” icons or tabs at the top right side (see Figure 3 and Figure 4).

Figure 3: MLB - Use of alignment

Figure 4: NFL – Use of alignment

Nevertheless, the MLB is different from the NFL with reference to the placement of the “terms of use” and “privacy policy” items. Specifically, there is no alignment in the manner in which the MLB has located these two items at the bottom of the homepage (see Figure). Conversely, the NFL has placed the “terms of use” and “privacy policy” items at the bottom center of the homepage (see Figure). This positioning represents center alignment.

Regarding repetition, the MLB have used font to highlight how teams have performed in matches. Specifically, whereas bold typeface underlines that a team has won, light typeface shows that a team has lost (see Figure 5). Similarly, the NFL has utilized repetition by employing various images to represent the four items listed under “NFL UK” (see Figure 6).

Figure 5: MLB – Use of repetition

Figure 6: NFL – Use of repetition

Despite these similarities, the MLB and the NFL are different on account of the spacing of some tabs located at the topmost section of the homepage. In this regard, the tabs on the MLB website are evenly spaced (see Figure 7). Conversely, the tabs on the NFL website are unevenly spaced. Specifically, moving from the top left corner, the first eight tabs are equally spaced. There is significantly wide space between the eighth (downward pointing arrow) and the ninth (“watch games”) tabs. Thereafter, tabs 9 to 14 are equally spaced (see Figure 8).

Figure 7: MLB – Use of repetition – Even spacing

Figure 8: NFL – Use of repetition – uneven spacing

Concerning contrast, both the MLB and the NFL have used color to enhance the visual interest of audiences (The University of Utah, n.d.). To this end, the MLB has used a set of contrasting colors to underline the existence of a “gift card offer” Specifically, the MLB has placed a black colored credit card against a background of vibrant green grass (see Figure 9).

Figure 9: MLB – Use of contrast – distinctive color

Similarly, the NFL has used contrast to underscore an offering known as “fantasy football”. In this regard the NFL has displayed the phrases “fantasy football | it’s never too early” and “sign up” on a background dominated by bright blue color. Importantly, these words are written using bright white color (see Figure 10). Consequently, the NFL has made the words to stand out from the background. This design decision would have the effect of enhancing viewers’ interest in the presented message.

Figure 10: NFL – Use of contrast - distinctive color

In spite of these similarities, the MLB website is different from the NFL website with regard to emphasis of color in some photographs depicting players. These images are found on the top sides of either websites. The photo on the MLB website features conspicuous utilization of color enhancement strategies to make the depicted players stand out (see Figure 11).

Figure 11: MLB – Use of contrast – conspicuous color enhancement

Conversely, on the NFL website, there is no conscious use of color enhancement (see Figure 12). This means that a viewer is less likely to make out the fine features of the depicted players.

Figure 12: NFL – use of contrast – little or no color enhancement

Overall, this paper has compared and contrasted the homepages of the MLB and the NFL websites on the basis of the design principles of proximity, alignment, repetition, and contrast. The exercise has highlighted important similarities and differences between these to sets of homepages. Such confluents and dissimilarities could shed light on the intention and competences of the designers of these webpages.

References

MLB Advanced Media, LP. (n.d.). MLB.com. Retrieved from https://www.mlb.com/

NFL Productions LLC. (n.d.). NFL.com. Retrieved from https://www.nfl.com/

The University of Utah. (n.d.). The four design principles – C.R.A.P. Retrieved from https://utah.instructure.com/files/14166318/download?download_frd=1