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WEB WORKSHOP FOR GIRLS
Lesson 1: Browsing the Web
Instructor: Paul Young

Objective

To learn web design by studying web sites. To learn various approaches to web design. To learn about the various technology used on the "backend" of web sites. To reflect on your "user experience" when entering a site for the first time. Things to consider:

Who is the audience?

What is the content?

What visual elements are being used?

What kind of typefaces are being used?

How do you navigate from page to page?

What kind of technologies are being used?

Procedure

Go to the following web sites and examine them in your browser. Study what makes each site appealing to you. When you view the sites, study the colors and the amount of color being used. Study the layout of the information and the navigation structure of the site. Look for the placement and uses of images. Look for interactive elements, such as rollover buttons. Look for animations. Work your way through the web site. Look for consistencies and inconsistencies with both design and navigation.

Dean & Deluca

Bank of America

The Delta Kings

The Chopping Block

Pentagram

Sassy Cats

Note: Bookmark the Browser Test Pattern page first (drag web address icon to desktop, move to your folder on the C drive)

Discussion
Points

Immediate Appeal: Being able to define why you like or dislike something will enhance your ability to replicate or avoid situations. Look for a sense of identity, efficiency in information design, fresh presentation.

Visual Elements: What kind of art is being used? What makes a good photograph? What makes a good illustration? What makes a good logo?

Site Architecture: How is the information arranged throughout the site? How much information is on one page? Can you sketch out a site map?

Site Design: What unifies the site? What common elements appear on all pages? How do you know what page you are on? How do you distinguish one section from another?

Navigation: How easy is it to move back and forth within sections or from section to section? Is the navigation scheme consistent? How many links are there on each page? How many is too many? Where are the links located? Is color used in the aid of navigation or is it arbitrary and distracting?

Page Design: How is a web page different from a printed page? Is the page visually balanced? Where does your eye go to first? Is there an hierarchy of information? Are the colors used in pleasing to the eye? When you change the browser window size, does anything change?

Typography: How many typefaces are used? How many different sizes? Is the text "actual text" (can you click and drag to highlight it) or is it image based?

Animation: If there are animated GIFs on the page are they seamless (do they blend into the page?) or are they recognizable as a rectangular boxed image? Pay close attention to the color palettes used in the animation, you may find a majority of animation in simple reduced palettes, or large blocks of single colors.

Multimedia: Is there any animation on the site? If so, how much? Is there sound? Video? Interactive elements?

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Last updated: 6/18/06 • Webmaster: Paul Young