My Client Experience

With my initial client, I found it hard sometimes to find out exactly what they wanted. I had met with them and asked them many questions, as well as looking at visual references and books that would give me an idea as to what they liked, their style and what they did not like.
Unfortunately, we weren't able to communicate as transparently as I would have liked. The client is currently postponing any further work as they are going travelling for several months.
My current client is someone I know a little bit better. She is a fomer colleague of mine. I know she will more readily be willing to listen to my suggestions and style. So far working on this project has been very enjoyable for me, as I like the subject matter and feel more creatively free to do as I like.

2nd website mockup

This is my second variation on the mockup I previously did.

The following sites are ones that I like the look and layout of, and these have both influenced my decisions regarding my designs for my newest client website, Glamour & Glow Makeup Artistry.

Client Website - New mockup

I have received the answers to my briefing questions for my new client.

Here is my first mockup for the page as per her answers.

New Client, New Interface Mockups

My other client is heading overseas for 3 months, so I have acquired a new client that I can complete the website for before end of semester.

Here is an intial mockup of the home page of the website.

Initial Mockup for Client Website Interface

Basic designs for client interface.

These are quite square so that layout is easy to navigate, but I find them a bit boring.

First Mockups - Proposal Titlepage

Here are my inititial designs for the Little Owl Apothecary website proposal.

I used the logo colours to create a clean & simple design.

I will be working further with more mockups for the page.

Design Questions for Client

Who is your target audience?
What is your companies product/service?
What is your point of difference?
Who are your main competitors?
What is your budget?
What are your expectations in terms of the timeline, deadlines of the project?
Does the site launch need to coincide with a specific product launch or company milestone?
What are the specs of the project?
Who will give final approval?
Would you like Search Engine Optimisation?
Do you have an existing logo, brand identity? If so, are you looking to reposition your brand?
What needs to be emphasised (FOCAL POINT AND VISUAL HIERARCHY)?
What colours do you want/what colours are already associated with the company?
Which element communicates the primary message?
Will I be working with any other industry professionals on this project?
How often do you nedd the site updated?
Will you be updating it internally or will you need me to do this?

Please fill out copy for Business Card:
- business name
- name
- position/qualification
- address
- contact #
- fax #
- email address
- website address

optional:
- slogan
- brief rundown of services/point of difference
- areas that are serviced if mobile service provided

Web Design Sem2 13.4.10

1. What is a Dreamweaver Template?
The Dreamweaver Template is a useful tool > you can set up a template to help build your site, or choose an existing template and modify.
2. What are the advantages of using templates?
The advantages of using a template is that it can simplify & speed up your work flow. By using a template you can make your website's layout consistent and therefore improve usability.
3. What is editable region?
An editable region is a region or area that you make in your template so that you can easily update information for instance, swap out information for new/different information, images etc on a regular basis. Regions that are non editable remain the same from page to page and consistent.
4. What is repeating region? How to set it up?
A Repeating Region is a template object, (Go to Insert >Template Objects > Repeating Region) It is used to create a region which wil repeat several times, in documents based on the template.
5. What is optional region?
An Optional Region is another Template object which you insert, this time to
let you show or hide certain content on a page-by-page basis.
6. Submit completed tutorial from Lynda.com
7. Practical Task

Em & Fonts

Definition of ems
An em is a unit of measurement in typography. This unit defines the proportion of the letter width and height with respect to the point size of the current font The unit was originally derived from the width of the capital "M" in a particular typeface. It is no longer defined in terms of any specific typeface, and therefore the same for all fonts at a given point size.

Some Popular Fonts http://www.ampsoft.net/webdesign-l/WindowsMacFonts.html
Arial
Arial Black
Comic Sans MS
Courier New
Georgia
Impact
Lucida Console
Lucida Sans Unicode
Palatino Linotype
Tahoma
Times New Roman
Trebuchet MS
Verdana
Symbol
Webdings
Wingdings
MS Sans Serif
MS Serif

The beginnings of ... My Logo!

Favourite Websites

I have chosen the following websites because they are either easy to navigate, feature creative design/layout, and/or have content that I find interesting.

Here are the links -
http://www.liquidjourney.com/
http://www.illamasqua.com/
http://www.benhulse.com/index.php
http://www.progressiveone.com/
http://www.mollyz.net/#

Website Criteria

Content::Content is the information provided on the site. It is not just text, but music, sound, animation, or video -- anything that communicates a sites body of knowledge. Good content should be engaging, relevant, and appropriate for the audience.
Structure & Navigation::Structure and navigation refers to the framework of a site, the organization of content, the prioritization of information, and the method in which you move through the site. Sites with good structure and navigation are consistent, intuitive and transparent.
Visual Design::Visual design is the appearance of the site. It's more than just a pretty homepage and it doesn't have to be cutting edge or trendy. Good visual design is high quality, appropriate, and relevant for the audience and the message it is supporting.
Functionality::Functionality is the use of technology on the site. Good functionality means the site works well. It loads quickly, has live links, and any new technology used is functional and relevant for the intended audience. The site should work cross-platform and be browser independent. Highly functional sites anticipate the diversity of user requirements from file size, to file format and download speed.
Interactivity::Interactivity is the way that a site allows you to do something. Good interactivity is more than a rollover or choosing what to click on next; it allows you, as a user, to give and receive. It insists that you participate, not spectate.
Overall::Demonstrating that sites are frequently more -- or less than the sum of their parts, the overall experience encompasses content, structure and navigation, visual design, functionality, and interactivity, but it also includes the intangibles that make one stay or leave.

Worst Websites

www.dokimos.org/ajff

Why this website is so bad...
1. Too many colours have been used - colour overload!
2. Moving background - may cause seizures
3. Text links difficult to read
4. Images inconsistently sized - sizing and perspective wrong
5. Annoying music - cannot be stopped or paused
6. Bad choice of Typography
7. Too much content/blocks of text - no internal links to top of page, scrolling goes on forever!
8. Poor image resolution

First Post!