Final Blog - Week 7

Well, personally I feel that what I have learned in this class was far more than I anticipated and I also realize that if I intend to continue in my pursuit to create websites that I need additional training and/or practice specifically in working with Adobe Photoshop.  I would like to be able to create or modify pictures that I would be using for my website, more or less, creating towards the final project.

Again, I really was challenged with Expressions, and not sure I am a fan of the templates offered, however, with more practice and possibly additional training, my feelings my change.  I do like that you can look at the code and based on the html training we had, possibly do more with the templates.  I originally indicated that I was going to use Webs, however, at the last minute I changed my mind and went with Weebly.  Why, not really sure except they indicated (sales pitch!) they had the most templates to choose from.  I was really impressed at how easy creating the website in Weebly is and feel that if I had more time, I would have expanded more on my site.  Since I did publish my site, I will definitely be adding more pictures to my Shop page and possibly more content.

My final projects were mostly in line with my storyboards.  The theme, the context and the pictures (and oh were there so many pictures!!) were pretty much on target with minor changes to the layout.

I have also learned that creating websites is time consuming, but what I found to be the most time consuming was manipulating the pictures, thus my need for further training on Photoshop!  I also realize & understand that it definitely makes sense to storyboard when creating websites.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and if there is ever Web Design 2, I will be sure to take the class!

http://take2dancecostumes.weebly.com/index.html

Weebly, Webs, Webnode, or Wix

It came down to either Weebly or Webs and I have decided to go with Webs for the simple fact that during my research/viewing of Weebly and Webs, I could not find on Weebly the eCommerce that will enable me to take my web site live and be able to sell my merchandise.  I did, however, easily find the information on eCommerce on Webs.  In short, that was the deciding factor - it was easy to find what I was looking for, so..... SOLD!

What is the purpose of using storyboards and how will they help with my final project?

In a nutshell, storyboarding is laying out the project before you begin.   Kind of like when you want to build a deck, you have to  research the deck you want to build, where you want to build it, what is all involved or needed (materials), and finally mapping out the instructions step by step, including what goes where.

Storyboarding will (hopefully!) help me to complete my website timely and with little errors. By doing a storyboard I should be able to find any errors or items that are out of sequence before I begin the actual design.

Why is Writing for the web different than writing for print?

When writing for the web, you want to catch your audiences attention.  You don't want to lose your reader in a bunch of no-nonsense content.  Unlike reading a newspaper or a magazine, people usually only scan over the print on a web page.  Furthermore, readers generally tend to read down the left side of the page.  That is why it is important to highlight, bold, or underline those words that you want to use to "catch" your readers attention.

• Use bullets to hit on key words or key points of your website
• Highlight or hypertext key words
• State your point or topic in the first two paragraphs and try to keep one idea per paragraph
• Keep the text simple in order to be desirable and readable to all users at every reading level
• Proofread for both spelling and grammar.  Misspelled words and poor grammar are 2 sure fire ways to lose your customer before they even have a chance to see what it is you are trying to sell them!

Usability and Accessibility

Usability - how well a site is developed; is it easily navigated.  Again, sticking to the CRAP criteria, and not to mention, are the images the correct size as the larger the resolution, the longer the website will take to load.

Accessibility refers to how easy or is it accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities.  For example, is the color scheme conducive for all keeping in mind that there are people who are color-blind and black and blue are the same tone, do the links contain alternate text or tags for the the websites, etc.

Is it always a good thing for anyone to create a website.

Quite honestly, if one feels they have the desire to learn, then I think they should go for it.  However, I also feel they should have adequate training so that they can create the website the fits the CRAP criteria we have been learning about. I feel that without the training one could create a poorly, unfriendly designed website.

Maybe I am jumping the gun here, but I think with the technology we have today creating websites will be a little more easier for the novice designer.

Personally, this is a goal of my own, so I always hold true to the saying that you can always do what you want if you put your mind and effort to it!  For me, this has been a great learning experience and look forward to continuing to learn more about webdesign!

One of the disadvantages of creating your own website is time.  I am finding that I do not have as much time as I would like with the projects we have had thus far.  I also feel there is a lot of creativity that goes into the design and one must be patient and have the time to creating that unique website.  So hopefully, by the time I am finished with my cohort, my youngest will be away in college, and I will have at least given up my parttime job allowing me more time for webdesign!!!

Website Evaluations

I tried to look for at least one "Bad" website, but when you are actually looking for one you can't find one without at least a reason to search for one......


Reading Eagle website:  http://readingeagle.com/

I use to hate this website because it would take forever to load, however, I believe the engineers at the Reading Eagle have finally viewed the website themselves.  Ultimately, I like the layout of the site.  The purpose of this website is to convey the news.  It is visually inviting with no obnoxious or annoying colors (with the exception of all the ads, but hey, they have to make some $$ some how to keep the costs down!).   One can easily navigate the site and with the tabs across the top and the alignment of the topics.  The site easily meets the CRAP criteria.  Contrast in colors used throughout the website and sub-pages/links, Repetition of the fonts and tabs, Alignment - the bullets are aligned properly on each page within the site, Proximity - the companies information is located at the bottom of the first web page which is the main page for all sub-pages. 

Discovery Federal Credit Union - https://www.discoveryfcu.org/

The purpose of this website is to sell financial services.  At first glance, the website is appealing.  The color scheme is warm, friendly and inviting.  There are links across the top for easy navigation, in addtion to the tabs for the different types of services the Credit Union offers.

• The Contrast is great as the web designer pulled the colors from the butterfly logo into the frames/borders and the headers. 
• The fonts are repeated throughtout the website.
• The left alignment is repeated within each group or block
• The Credit Union's information is located at the bottom of the webpage in addition to a link titled "About Us".

I had no issues in navigating through either of these two websites and the speed to get from one page to another was also good.  The CU website was a little faster probably due to the fewer number of graphics as compared to the graphics on the Reading Eagle website.

I have already become more critical about the way I view websites, but feel that I (and maybe most of us) have always been critical because some are just common sense in the way we view a website.  It is easy when you come across a website that is not easy to navigate or his "hard" to view because of the "loud" colors or poorly created graphics.

I came across this website and wanted to share with everyone.  It is a good reference website for the new web designer and tells us exactly what we have been learning about "what not to do" when designing a website.   Enjoy......   The Worlds' Worst Website - http://www.angelfire.com/super/badwebs/