Design change

Throughout my college career the design process has involved concept development, inspiration, idea gathering, critiques with shared creative points of view which has been a very progressive process in design development. This project has added a new twist in the process, which is to create a new look while including  an existing logo, color schemes and images.

In combination with the creative process is learning to transform the design into a functioning web page using HTML5 and CSS3. I am excited to use some of the new CSS3 design features that eliminate the usual required use of Java Script. It is just a bit more challenging as not all the browsers support it. 

References that I have been using are:

CSS3 For Web Designers, by Dan Cederholm which introduces the new CSS3 features and how to add code for browsers that don't yet support it such as adding dashed prefixed keywords and the beginning of the property name.

HTML5 For Web Designers, by Jeremy Keith.

This book also introduces the new features of HTML5 and adds instructions on how to code so browsers will be able to use the new HTML5 elements such as adding script in the head element (document.createElement('header');.

HTML5 by Bruce Lawson and Remy Sharp. 

This is similar to the above book just a bit more in-depth.

I have also been using Bill Weinman's HTML Essential Training on Lynda.com from which I have learned the fundamentals of coding a web page.

Progress so far on the home page: Missing are the top and side navigation.

This is the beginning design concept for the dog adoption page:

Photos in web design

Examples of Photos in web design by sixrevisions.com

Design with faces

From an article on designshack.net

Advertising approach

One of the key considerations on design will be the advertising approach and giving the client, whose site is very content driven, a site with a design that will also influence traffic to and viewers interaction with the site. I came across an article in Ad Age that touches on the subject of content www.adage.com.

Domain name and hosting sites

I have purchased jennydeneen.com from Network Solutions as I have another domain name with them. Their site is not easy to maneuver for hosting so I researched a couple of hosting sites suggested by Professor Hottois, www.mediatemple.net and www.fatcow.com. I went with mediatemple as it seems to have a better client side dashboard. 

I also have an appointment set up with the client to review their site needs on Friday.

Project one ideas

A goal of mine after graduation is to design websites. Through a relative I have been approached by a company who is not happy with their site and I would like to create a new site for them in hopes that they would actually use it. 

The challenge would be how the web site functions as they need ecommerce, which I have never done, and they need client side access to a calendar for events and to update news letters. The research for this project will entail several client interviews to asses and plan their site and learning how to create a site to meet their needs along with designing a new look for them. I will also need to research hosting companies that can meet their needs to access their site and make changes.

Another project choice would be to develop a logo and site for a friend of mine who is in charge of a Boaters Association. Their site is a relatively simple site. The challenge here is they are interested in a rebranding. So not only would I have to develop a site I would have to create a new logo and image for them.