Great topic! Web design is so difficult because its equal parts great design and execution. For me, Project 1 is different because I've never designed a website completely 2 dimensional. I've always had to consider the back end and how I would execute the development. I like this assignment, because it's begun to change my process about web design. This way I can completely focus on the design and not worry about the execution, which is always the bigger issue for me. And sometimes I notice, when I am thinking too much about the back end I may let my design suffer, which is definitely not a good habit to have. Much like you, Aja, Im not a coder, however I know its a necessary evil!
When designing a website I always consider framework first. Drawing a map for functionality always helps when trying to organize. In terms of inspiration, I obviously want to consider the brand first. What are they selling? What does the logo look like? Who is the customer? What do the competitors branding/sites look like? How can I make it stand out with still staying true to the brand? I also like to look at sites like From Up North to see what others are doing, which is nice to see multiple website examples for lots of different products.
I'm glad that parallax scrolling came up since it seems to be the new fad in web design. I actually love love love it- when used properly. Lots of times people just use it to use it and it can actually make your site more confusing and harder to navigate. But other times, its amazing. In my opinion, it makes the most sense when the site needs to tell a story. Too Young To Wed is a great example of using parallax beautifully. It also brings a creditable factor to the site. I can't help but be impressed (and probably a little more inclined to trust the product) when I see a well designed site with parallax scrolling.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
RE: Intro to Web Design
I think the most important place to start with web design, as with so many design projects, is the audience.
Who are you designing for? What do you want them to get from the website? What do you want them to be able to do? What level of expertise do they have?
The answers to these questions will start to move you in the correct direction. Websites that are geared towards kids don't look or function the same way as those that are geared toward adult audiences. And mixed audiences provide the biggest design challenge of all.
Is the website telling a story? Providing structured information? Inviting interaction? Requiring response? These sorts of questions can help you decide whether to focus more on tasks or information in your design.
Is some information mandatory? Are some tasks mandatory? Are different pieces of information or task aimed at different users? How much information do you actually need to convey?
How will you reach your audience? On their computers? Their mobile devices? Will it be a required site visit (i.e. a portal like MyUB)? Or is it more for entertainment?
Many of these sorts of questions are also addressed in terms of information architecture; IA and design must work together to guide the user through the site.
So, I realize this isn't much design guidance, but I think these questions can actually put you on the right track in your design. A website for a company's investors will be designed very differently from a site for a company's customers. So, by knowing your audience and what they'll be using the site for (and how), you'll be better able to pick a typeface and a layout.
Ah, parallax scrolling. It can be very cool. But it's overused, in my obviously humble opinion. I think it's best used to tell a story with supplementary (but not actually vital) information. The Space Needle's site uses parallax scrolling really well. It makes sense, contextually, to move up toward the sky with the elevator, and to have different views the higher the user goes. And providing pop up facts makes sense; the information isn't super important, but it's fun. The site is fun and experiential, which works really well for a tourist attraction. (Also, the most important information is anchored at the bottom of the page the whole time.)
http://www.spaceneedle.com/home/
Who are you designing for? What do you want them to get from the website? What do you want them to be able to do? What level of expertise do they have?
The answers to these questions will start to move you in the correct direction. Websites that are geared towards kids don't look or function the same way as those that are geared toward adult audiences. And mixed audiences provide the biggest design challenge of all.
Is the website telling a story? Providing structured information? Inviting interaction? Requiring response? These sorts of questions can help you decide whether to focus more on tasks or information in your design.
Is some information mandatory? Are some tasks mandatory? Are different pieces of information or task aimed at different users? How much information do you actually need to convey?
How will you reach your audience? On their computers? Their mobile devices? Will it be a required site visit (i.e. a portal like MyUB)? Or is it more for entertainment?
Many of these sorts of questions are also addressed in terms of information architecture; IA and design must work together to guide the user through the site.
So, I realize this isn't much design guidance, but I think these questions can actually put you on the right track in your design. A website for a company's investors will be designed very differently from a site for a company's customers. So, by knowing your audience and what they'll be using the site for (and how), you'll be better able to pick a typeface and a layout.
Ah, parallax scrolling. It can be very cool. But it's overused, in my obviously humble opinion. I think it's best used to tell a story with supplementary (but not actually vital) information. The Space Needle's site uses parallax scrolling really well. It makes sense, contextually, to move up toward the sky with the elevator, and to have different views the higher the user goes. And providing pop up facts makes sense; the information isn't super important, but it's fun. The site is fun and experiential, which works really well for a tourist attraction. (Also, the most important information is anchored at the bottom of the page the whole time.)
http://www.spaceneedle.com/home/
RE: Intro to Web Design
Hi AJ great post,
On my Safari web browser I have a folder on my bookmarks bar named Design Inspiration. Whenever I see a layout, image, theme, typography, etc that I like or fits well with an assignment I add them to my folder. Website inspiration I used for Project 1 were found checking this folder. I had a couple of Pins and websites saved that I will share :)
http://www.webdesign-inspiration.com
https://www.behance.net/gallery/Travel-Magazine-Layout/5488581
http://www.pinterest.com/hereischuck/websites/
http://webdesignledger.com
I have used these websites to help get myself started on numerous projects, some more than others. The factors I consider before designing a website would be finding out who my audience is and the best way I get my message across to them. You said it yourself while parallax scrolling may be a huge trend right now it may not be your best approach for getting people to sign up for healthcare; but on the other hand it could be a solution, it all depends on your audience. That's why I feel once you figure out who your target audience is then you can look through different forms of layouts :)
On my Safari web browser I have a folder on my bookmarks bar named Design Inspiration. Whenever I see a layout, image, theme, typography, etc that I like or fits well with an assignment I add them to my folder. Website inspiration I used for Project 1 were found checking this folder. I had a couple of Pins and websites saved that I will share :)
http://www.webdesign-inspiration.com
https://www.behance.net/gallery/Travel-Magazine-Layout/5488581
http://www.pinterest.com/hereischuck/websites/
http://webdesignledger.com
I have used these websites to help get myself started on numerous projects, some more than others. The factors I consider before designing a website would be finding out who my audience is and the best way I get my message across to them. You said it yourself while parallax scrolling may be a huge trend right now it may not be your best approach for getting people to sign up for healthcare; but on the other hand it could be a solution, it all depends on your audience. That's why I feel once you figure out who your target audience is then you can look through different forms of layouts :)
Sunday, September 14, 2014
RE: Intro to Web Design
During the class discussion on Thursday, we touched base on inspirations for designing pieces, whether digital design or printed design, and I find that the best place to start is by establishing the needs of the client and the company. Consulting with the client helps to determine their goals as well as the intended audience. I like to take into account the forms of design that I like and find most powerful, which I find mostly on... PINTEREST. There's also another site, Behance, that I love to peruse for inspiration. A lot of the sites that I'm interested in incorporate full-page photography, transparency, responsive design and perfectly-selected typography, all brought together to make a well-thoughtout website. Below are some examples of my favorite sites:
I think for some markets, it's okay to not use the latest trends in design, especially corporations, so I like to keep that in mind when I being to plan out the design. However.... I LOVE PARALLAX SCROLLING! If only I knew how to do that, I would utilize it all the time. I found this wonderful website that, in my opinion, has the best design with parallel scrolling. It's fun, interactive and conveys it's intended message throughout the scroll.
I, too, have found it frustrating that I didn't learn more about other aspects of web design in My Intro to Web Design, such as Javascript, Parallax Scrolling and Wordpress, especially since many jobs require this knowledge before they will even bring you in for an interview. I think at this point I am contemplating taking Advanced Web Design so I can learn about these things; but in the meantime, I am doing what I can to create simple, yet effective websites.
RE: Intro to Web Design
Aja, I completely understand the struggle of designing a website. I was also very excited for Intro to Web Design, but I have since realized that the class didn't even begin to scratch the surface.
My biggest frustration with web design is how quickly things change. It seems like one minute, everyone has to have a photo carousel on their home page, then the fad evolves to parallax scrolling. I am always questioning what is next, and how to create a design that will be timeless (or at least, longer lasting). With web design, I think that is virtually impossible, and it seems like things become outdated impossibly fast.
Still, since it is a necessary evil, I have to start somewhere. When designing a site, I first think about the key elements that have to be on the site, and the main audiences. For the most part, I try to simplify as much as possible. I also consider the skill-level and availability of the main content creator for the site. For instance, if I am designing for a Mom-and-Pop shop, I don't want to design a site that requires frequent posting or updating.
Once I have some ideas on content, I take a look at other sites for inspiration. Web Design Ledger has a great e-newsletter that shares all kinds of things, from examples of great trending websites to tips on how to do responsive design, etc. Their website is also full of a lot of great content. Other times I will browse on Pinterest and search online for more specific examples.
As someone who really struggles with responsive design, parallax sites and dynamic features, I tend to stay very cautious and simple in my design. I'd love to learn how to get past this and better understand the newer trends in web design. For Project 1, I have been working on my first App design, which has been a huge challenge, but it actually helped me a lot in understanding mobile and responsive design. From now on, as I brainstorm for new website design, I will also be looking a lot at app and mobile design examples. I think that will be really helpful in branching out.
One last thing - in my Information Architecture class, I learned a lot about the importance of user testing and accessibility. It is always good to get a lot of feedback on your new design, having friends or potential consumers navigate through your version of the website and provide feedback. Think about users who have disabilities and economic constraints as well (they may have a screen reader, an older computer with lower resolution, or they may only be able to view on their phone). Because a great design can be completely wasted if it is impractical for your audience.
My biggest frustration with web design is how quickly things change. It seems like one minute, everyone has to have a photo carousel on their home page, then the fad evolves to parallax scrolling. I am always questioning what is next, and how to create a design that will be timeless (or at least, longer lasting). With web design, I think that is virtually impossible, and it seems like things become outdated impossibly fast.
Still, since it is a necessary evil, I have to start somewhere. When designing a site, I first think about the key elements that have to be on the site, and the main audiences. For the most part, I try to simplify as much as possible. I also consider the skill-level and availability of the main content creator for the site. For instance, if I am designing for a Mom-and-Pop shop, I don't want to design a site that requires frequent posting or updating.
Once I have some ideas on content, I take a look at other sites for inspiration. Web Design Ledger has a great e-newsletter that shares all kinds of things, from examples of great trending websites to tips on how to do responsive design, etc. Their website is also full of a lot of great content. Other times I will browse on Pinterest and search online for more specific examples.
As someone who really struggles with responsive design, parallax sites and dynamic features, I tend to stay very cautious and simple in my design. I'd love to learn how to get past this and better understand the newer trends in web design. For Project 1, I have been working on my first App design, which has been a huge challenge, but it actually helped me a lot in understanding mobile and responsive design. From now on, as I brainstorm for new website design, I will also be looking a lot at app and mobile design examples. I think that will be really helpful in branching out.
One last thing - in my Information Architecture class, I learned a lot about the importance of user testing and accessibility. It is always good to get a lot of feedback on your new design, having friends or potential consumers navigate through your version of the website and provide feedback. Think about users who have disabilities and economic constraints as well (they may have a screen reader, an older computer with lower resolution, or they may only be able to view on their phone). Because a great design can be completely wasted if it is impractical for your audience.
Intro to Web Design
I took Intro to Web Design two semesters ago with great excitement. Once the semester ended, I decided that maybe coding was not for me. Not that it was necessarily hard, but very time consuming. I contemplated that I'd just be a designer and not a coder. In the spring during words and images, we were given the task of designing a website for our chosen call to action. No need for coding? Oh I can do this! Well…that was a struggle too.
At this point I just gave up on web design all together. With a much needed break over the summer, the task of designing a website has once again become my reality with Project 1. So guess what, self? It's time to tackle this challenge head on!
Deciding to step back and start from the beginning, I've been exploring types of websites.
Web Design - The Complete Reference: Chapter 1 breaks down the types of sites into two main categories: Information focused and Task focused
So I'm thinking I should just pic one of these types and then look for similar websites, though I'm sure I should break it down even further. Is it a non profit? start-up? well established?
I also looked into the trends. The obvious choice for me was a parallox site. Complex magazine does an amazing article on Pharell Williams using this style.
A designer has to be careful with this and other trends. While very visually stimulating, this probably would not be the best approach for getting people to sign up for health care online.
Next, I'd consider a layout and possible typography and here is where things get muddy.
So I ask...
How do you get started with designing a website?
What factors do you consider before designing a website?
Where do you look for layouts and type?
Anything else important to consider?
At this point I just gave up on web design all together. With a much needed break over the summer, the task of designing a website has once again become my reality with Project 1. So guess what, self? It's time to tackle this challenge head on!
Deciding to step back and start from the beginning, I've been exploring types of websites.
Web Design - The Complete Reference: Chapter 1 breaks down the types of sites into two main categories: Information focused and Task focused
So I'm thinking I should just pic one of these types and then look for similar websites, though I'm sure I should break it down even further. Is it a non profit? start-up? well established?
I also looked into the trends. The obvious choice for me was a parallox site. Complex magazine does an amazing article on Pharell Williams using this style.
Next, I'd consider a layout and possible typography and here is where things get muddy.
So I ask...
How do you get started with designing a website?
What factors do you consider before designing a website?
Where do you look for layouts and type?
Anything else important to consider?
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Re: The Power of Persuasion
I am not a big fan of the SPCA ads myself. I can not stand the depressing music nor seriousness in the video. Matching the tone to the audience is a big obstacle for me as well. Especially when it comes to not knowing what your audiences are aware of. I think a lot of ads that are successful in my opinion are the ones that are straight to the point with a hint of edge, wit and fun to give you portray your message.
Here is a video ad of the Samsung vs Apple vs Microsoft. I think this concept was genius! Considering a lot of people debate about this topic daily. It has edge, it has humor, it has facts and it caters to a very diverse group of people.
As for Project 1 the strategies I'm gearing towards is using my research family oriented activites. I really wanted to cater to family and the interaction with both children, youth and adults. I want something that will catch the attention of both young people and adults and that is where the fun and edge come into play.
Here is a video ad of the Samsung vs Apple vs Microsoft. I think this concept was genius! Considering a lot of people debate about this topic daily. It has edge, it has humor, it has facts and it caters to a very diverse group of people.
As for Project 1 the strategies I'm gearing towards is using my research family oriented activites. I really wanted to cater to family and the interaction with both children, youth and adults. I want something that will catch the attention of both young people and adults and that is where the fun and edge come into play.
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