http://www.webstyleguide.com/wsg3/1-process/7-development-process.html

http://www.webstyleguide.com/wsg3/1-process/7-development-process.html

This article discusses the steps involved in constructing a successful web site.  After reading this article, it is apparent that there is much more to creating a web site than most people may think.  I used to be one of those people.  It seems like the more I learn about web design, the more I learn that there is much more to learn.  I used to only be interested in the design side of web design, but I’m finding that I’m becoming more and more intersted in learning all about the entire process.  I now feel that if anyone is going to create a successful web site and consistently make a living in this field, than that person has to pay close attention to all aspects of the process, not just how nice the site looks and how cool it is.   But maybe having extensive interest and experience in every step of this process will set one apart from the competition.

The steps that are talked about in the article are as follows:

1. SITE DEFINITION AND PLANNING

• This is where you define what type of web site you will create and what the web site will say.
• Someone is also appointed to “QB” the site and take control to keep the site focused in a particular direction.

2. INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE

• Start feeling around and experimenting with different navigational systems and designs.
• Can start user testing to see which direction is better.
• Start nailing down the content of the site.

3. SITE DESIGN

• The overall design has been decided and it’s accepted that this is the direction with regards to the design of the site that will be followed.
• All of the visual elements should be realized and ready to be implemented in the site.
• The written content is now edited and refined and becomes perfected and suitable to be entered into the  site.

4. SITE CONSTRUCTION

• The site is being created and the vision begins to enter visual and usable fruition.
• All of the navigation kinks should be worked out leaving fluid usable web site.
• Keep in mind that the code should be easily read (use comments); a web site is never done and others will need to read your code later on.

5. SITE MARKETING

• Getting the finished product out to as many people as possible.
• All that work might as well never have been done if no one will see and interact with the site.
• The creativity can continue; there are always new ways to promote a site.

6. TRACKING, EVALUATION, AND MAINTENANCE

• Analyzing who uses and how they use your site can only make your hand better and make you a better web designer.
• The site is never done.  Need to stay on top of the site after completion and update it whenever necessary to keep it current.

website analysis – http://www.speakvisual.com

http://www.speakvisual.com is a flash website for NVIDIA graphic processors.  I was immediately drawn in by the preloader.   Flash websites can take longer to load than other sites.  The preloader keeps your attention while the website loads and is also nicely incorporated into the design of the site.  The preloader doesn’t just do it’s job then dissappear.  

I then noticed the creative and interactive navigation of the site.  Even though the navigation wasn’t common to me, it was obvious.  The site cleverly boasts their processors by showcasing artwork people have created with their computers using NVIDIA processors.  As your cursor rolls over the people’s image, the box with their image moves forward towards you, which is a recurring design elemt throughout the site.  I think it’s obvious that if you click on any one person, you will get more information about them.   Each page has its own unique interative experience.  I really think this fun and creative interactivity will hold the user’s attention and even keep them coming back.  Maybe not to learn about processors, but to just use the site.  I don’t spend alot of time online, but I keep coming back to this site.

The color palette looks very clean on this site and enhances it’s readability.  The green accents pop against the muted grey and white background.  The palette gives the site a modern, almost cutting edge look and feel, which fits.  When you think computer processors, you should think cutting edge.

The desing is very simple yet effective.  The majority of the desing is made up of rectangles of various  sizes.  A recurring element that’s cleverly used throughout the site is the rectangular text box thing.  It’s used in the navigation bar to remind the user which page they are on.  It also frames the artwork held by the people in the roll over boxes.  The box is also used to frame more floating artwork on the gallery page.

One drawback of this site is that when I looked at it on my home computer, the navigation was not very fluid.  It ran a little choppy.   It actuall stopped working a couple of times at home and I had to refresh the page.  For this site to run as it was intended the user will need a fast connection along with a fairly good computer.  I also thought the choice of music on the “why NVIDIA” page falls a litlle short.  To me, it didn’t seem to measure up to the rest of the site.  The site could also be more informative about the companies product.  It took me a little while to figure that to learn more about their processors you need to click on the logo on the top left.

day 1

learned a little about dream weaver.  going home now.

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