Web Design 1
At this point in the course it is easy to see both the potential and the pitfalls of using the Web as a communication tool. It is fairly easy to create basic HTML pages, purchase space on a server, and then publicize a site. Creating high-quality pages - ones that are high-content, highly navigable, consume reasonable bandwidth, and retain user interest - takes more time and knowledge.
In this unit, we'll look at the components of the web design process including the skills needed to successfully complete a major web project. The following discussion generally follows the process outlined by IBM (http://www.ibm.com/IBM/HCI/guidelines/web/print.html). Assume that you are approached to design a web site for a group, organization or business. Where would you start?
The next several pages give a suggested outline for conducting a web development project. The size, complexity and expected cost of the site will help determine how detailed your process needs to be.
PROPOSAL
This is the investigative phase of the project. Here you need to determine:
- The goals of the web site: Why are you spending the organization's resources on this project? What are the benefits? Try to articulate what must happen for the web site to be a success.
- The company/organization: What is the size and nature of the client company/organization? What are their key products? What is their organizational structure? Is the site intended to be both an intranet and internet site? Does the company have graphic standards or established computer policies that need to be considered?
- The intended audience: Who are your user groups? What will attract them to the site? Who do you want to access to your site? Are there any specific language needs or technological limitations that must be considered? Are there any specific site-characteristics that will specifically engage them such as sound, visuals, etc?
- Audience preferences: What information/activity will draw your audience to the site? Have you polled your desired audience or conducted focus groups? Look at existing market research to understand more about the habits and characteristics of target user groups.
- The competition: Analyze web sites of other organizations or companies that are competing with your site. What is their organization and content? What features are they using to attract and retain users?
- The time and money commitment: How much time do you have to produce the site? How much money will the client invest in the construction? What resources will be committed to maintaining and/or expanding the site? What are the content maintenance costs: features that are very time-sensitive such as sales, events, e-mail inquiries.
- The technical environment: What are the client's hardware and software requirements? What can their networks handle? Do they envision many, geographically-dispersed people contributing to the site? Should they consider web management software and, if so, what would work well in their environment? Do they have a computer to act as web server? If not, who will set up this server and provide security?
- The deliverables: Clearly identify each deliverable at the beginning of the project. Will you be expected to train content providers? train a webmaster?
- The resources needed for the project: What skills are needed to build the website? How many individuals are needed to produce deliverables in the required timeframe? What resources will be provided by the organization/business and what will be contracted-out?
Go to Next Page: Web Design 2: Plan
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