Website Analysis

One of the most effective forms of advertising to the masses is through the internet, and official film websites are incredibly good at reaching huge audiences. Featured is the official website of the recent Monsters University, the long-awaited sequel to Monsters Inc..

 The design style of this website is incredibly unique and entirely consuming. This film is a sequel (or, in this case, a prequel) and so recognition is very important for drawing in audiences. The gap between the first film and this second film was a shocking twelve years, and, because of the legend that is Monsters Inc., designers will have had to work to ensure that the second reaches the bar that the first set. The Monsters University website has kept the logo established in the first film – a blue “M” with eye in it – meaning the audience know exactly where they are. This website also corresponds to the themes present in the posters and trailers for the film, with lots of similar colours and images of the distinctive scenery and characters. These images, in that particular style, work with the logo to bring the viewer to the understanding of what the film is. The presentation of the film in this website is also very different to other film websites as instead of introducing viewers to the characters and plot from an external viewpoint, the Monsters University website makes the viewer feel like they are part of that world, or, perhaps, gives the exciting illusion that the fiction they’ve been watching might be a little bit real. This is especially effective when considering a main plot twist in the film where the characters have a clash with the human world. They do this by having the layout and writing style of a real university website with information about alumni, applying, clubs, and events. This makes the target audience of the website very clear: students.

The website entices its readers by creating the possibility that we are in this fantastical world as much as they are, and offers all of its student viewers a potential place in the world it’s set in. Despite this clear student audience, however, there are no links available to share it through social networking sites. This may be to keep up its appearance of being real, as having a Facebook or Pinterest logo may ruin the illusion of reality that has been so carefully set up. The balance between fact and fiction has been struck very cleverly with this website, because not only is the setting and background of the film all available in the form of a handy ‘university’ guide, but all of their university merchandise is available for purchase to further wrap the reader in their world. They even offer four-sleeved hoodies and fake options of having two collars or even up to six sleeves so buyers can even bring a little bit of monster back with them.