WEB DESIGN
ART366 | Phases | Good vs. Bad Site
There are phases in designing a web site. Simpler or more complex site projects may consolidateor expand some steps in this process of site development:
- Develop a Development and Reference Outline which includes:
a users' needs study, financial aspects, technical constraints and a project
schedule or outline of steps for the development of the web site
- Design a model of the site
- Test the site model
- Design the site
- Test the site
- Put the site up on the Internet and publicize it
- Obtain feed-back on the site and modify it as needed
These are some of the detailed steps you need to review in developing your site:
Preliminary Consultation and Review
Introduction to the Internet
Why have a Web Presence?
What makes an effective Web site?
What will be the target audience?
Branding the Web Site - special identifying aspects; design approach
What will the site do for the organization?
Information vs. Interactivity within the site
Survey of Web Presence for Similar Organizations
Anticipated Site Traffic
Site Funding
Initial Project Consultation
Proposed Table of Contents
Proposed Site Layout
Navigational Logic
Graphics
Integrity of Page Design
Writing - Who is responsible?
Browser Considerations
Interactive Features
Proposed Project Schedule
Future Project Management
Project Cost Quotation and Contract
Internet Presence Provider (ISP)
Services Needed
Selection and Cost
Ongoing ISP Consultation
Site Development Planning
Project Development
Content Development - Who is responsible? Decision-making?
Content Maintenance: - Who provides updates?
Technical Issues
Domain Name Selection - availability; type; registration
Security Issues
Coding Conventions
Page Layouts - frames/no frames approach
Web Site Development
Site Design and Development
Final content development
Client review and approval
Testing and validation of site
Launch of Site/Installation
Training
Site Users
Site Maintainers
Marketing Site
Media Releases
Search Engine and Directory Registration
Promotion within organization
Hyperlinks to site
Continuing Site Maintenance
Who Provides Ongoing Site Maintenance?
Change Authorization
Content and Link Updates
Interface with ISP
Internet Integration
(Customized for Client Needs)
Workshops for Staff: public and internal uses of the site
Workshops for Others: testers; supporters; funders; stakeholders; advertisers
E-Commerce Trends
GOOD SITE/BAD SITE
How do you determine if a site is good or bad? Search the web for three well designed, functional, usable web sites and three that are not. Write down the url for each good and bad site you have chosen. Present in the Roeper and Ebert fashion of ”at the movies.” The following information may help in your search:
In addition, locate one not well designed or poorly functional web site. Use different browsers (IE, Firefox, Safari) to see if there are any differences. If you are working on a Mac, also check the site out on a Windows PC.
Write a two to three paragraph analysis for each site design. Your analysis should include the following information:
• What type of site is it (personal, organization, commercial or entertainment)?
• What is the purpose of the site?
• Does it hit the target market? If so, How?
• Who is the intended audience for the site?
• Describe the visual elements on the home page - What caught your eye first?
• How does the visual design (balance, color, etc) communicate the content?
Describe the navigation
• Does the site look like all the pages are related when you navigate through it?
• How consistent are fonts and font sizes? In what ways do the text styles vary?
• How well does the layout of the page help viewers understand the site content?
• Are elements repeated on other pages? Does the repetition help or hinder the overall purpose of the website?
• Do any of the links not work?
• Are the elements relevant to the site?
• Is it too cluttered?
• Can you get the info you need from the site?
• Are there contact information and an email included?
• Is there a copyright notice?
• Can you navigate the site well? If not, why?
• Did it load quickly?
• What color are most links?
• Are there any rollovers and what color are they or do they have any animation?
• Did you run across a page that told you something was missing and you wouldn’t be able to see the game or animation?
Your analysis should utilize course vocabulary, and should be written using correct spelling and grammar. Post your website analysis to the discussion thread.
Although, you may think that Flash is dominate on the web, however when it comes to websites; CSS & XHTML sites are leading user-centered design and development. There are so many to view, but I recommend you check out these links for some inspiration.
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/01/25/best-of-january-2008/
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2006/12/19/50-beautiful-css-based-web-designs-in-2006/
http://www.webdesignerwall.com/trends/best-of-css-design-2007/
http://cssvault.com/resources/cssjavascript/csstopsites/
http://www.wittysparks.com/2007/04/22/60-best-css-directories-you-would-die-to-watch/
http://www.commarts.com
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