1. RESEARCH FOR INSPIRATION: Research
existing web sites. Be sure to review Macromedia
Showcase, books,
annuals
and magazine. Look at navigation as well
as design. Look for interactive elements, such as rollover buttons.
What design principles are at work here? Bookmark pages that have
innovative artwork and/or navigation schemes. Collect as many web
addresses as you can, and link them from your personal web site.
At our research critique, present
your
best
examples
in class
(on
screen).
Be prepared
to explain why these examples are successful.
2. MARKETING RESEARCH: Survey the youth of this community. Develop
a name for this community center. Determine the type of content
that will attract the target audience.
3.
PLAN YOUR WEB SITE: Determine your objectives. Analyze your research
and write a written statement of
objectives in the form of a memo (see sample
brief). Email your
brief as an attached Word document to pyoung@parkland.edu and anni@lmntal.com.
Also post this memo as a link from your personal web site.
4. DETERMINE YOUR CONTENT: How many pages will you need? What
are the titles of each page? How will your web site be organized?
Sketch out a site map and publish a text-only version of your site
linked from your personal web site.
5. DEVELOP THE VISUAL LOOK: In your sketchbook begin to conceptualize
ideas for this project (see
sample thumbnails). Make at least 10 sketches of all possible
directions you might take this project. Draw exactly how your
pages will look. Edit your concepts down to your best three ideas
and redraw them inside a browser window using a felt tip pen (download
PDF file of a blank browser window). Test how successful your
concepts are by presenting them in class for critique.
6. EXECUTION: Based on the critique of the above, create a prototype "mockup" of
key pages in Adobe Photoshop. Place your art inside a blank browser
window (download layered PSD file).
Print out your prototype screen in b&w for critique and be
prepared to talk about how the design principles of unity, emphasis
and balance are utilized in your layout.
7. PRODUCTION: Based on the critique of the above, make any necessary
adjustments to your Photoshop file, then optimize your pictorial
elements for the Web. Using Dreamweaver, combine your pictorial
elements with your content, then publish your site as a link from
your personal web site for critique. Prepare a presentation to "sell" your
design to a test audience. If necessary, make refinements
until you are 100% satisfied with the project. Be sure to save all
your files for future editing.
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