Website Time!

From a quick search on the interwebs, I had found multiple lists of how to make YOUR website better. Many advice overlaps, such as focusing on the audience and who is looking at the site. These articles from National Education Association and Club Runner had overlapping ideas. The audience is crucial because without viewers, what is a website? It would be forgotten in the backend of the huge collection of information we call the internet.

Some advice seemed a bit condescending towards the users, like the tip to keep in mind is that the audience skims, and does not read, according 10 Principles Of Effective Web Design written by Vitaly Friedman. While I myself identity with some of these condensing advice like needing an easy URL to help remember. It is smart to have a short URL so users can come back to the site without depending on search history. In this aspect, I must applaud some porn sites because they must get creative for their users to remember them. I remember a porn site that had a version of YouTube in their name, and thought it was brilliant. I did not check that site out though audience. I know what you’re thinking you crazy people you.  

Anyways, so here is my top 10 advice, as requested from my professor.

 Who is your audience? And how do you want to capture their interest? (10p) (Friedman) (Ewer)

a.      Don’t try to manipulate them

b.      Be kind to your audience

2      Simple is the way to go (10p) ( Friedman) (Devaney)

a.      Getting lost on the internet is NOT good

b.      Just No.

 Remember C.R.A.P (Whybrow)

a.      Contrast

b.      Repetition

c.       Alignment

d.      Proximity

e.      Remember this and you will be greeatt (Tony the Tiger voice)!

4)      Easy access is the goal (10) (Devaney)

a.      Simple URL to remember

b.      Easily to look up/number one on search

c.       Multiple browsers (10)

    Constant Navigation (10p)

a.      We will get bored

b.      Do not let us get bored

6   Fast-Paced (Friedman)

a.      We do not have AOL

b.      Do not let us wait

c.       We will get angry

     Credibility (Devaney)

a.      Just don’t be sketchy

      Collaborate (Ewer)

a.      Listen to your viewer’s voice

b.      Listen to other’s advice

      Brand

a.      You need to be memorable.

b.      Or else why would we come to this and waste our time

c.       Give us a reason to waste our time

  Your purpose

a.      The message you want to give to us

b.      Keep that in mind

Sorry it is such a heavy text post! I will include more pictures and videos in the next, and final one!! 

"10 Golden Rules of Website Design & Functionality." ClubRunner, n.d. Web. 28 May 2016. <http://web.clubrunner.ca/inner-lang-1-1.aspx?pageid=204>.

"10 Principles of Basic Web Design." national Education Assocation, n.d. Web. 28 May 2016. <http://www.nea.org/home/10-Principles-of-Basic-Web-Design.html>.

Devaney, Erik. "8 Guidelines for Exceptional Web Design, Usability, and User Experience." Where Marketers Go. N.p., 26 Apr. 2016. Web. 28 May 2016. <http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/30557/6-Guidelines-for-Exceptional-Website-Design-and-Usability.aspx#sm.00000q5wwmtbk2eyjpk67yk1rub31>.

Ewer, Tom. "10 Rules of Good UI Design to Follow On Every Web Design Project." Elegant Themed Blogs. Elegant Themed Blogs, 16 Feb. 2016. Web. 28 May 2016. <https://www.elegantthemes.com/blog/resources/10-rules-of-good-ui-design-to-follow-on-every-web-design-project>.

Friedman, Vitaly. "10 Principles Of Effective Web Design." Smashing Magazine. Smashing Magazine, 31 Jan. 2008. Web. 28 May 2016. <https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/01/10-principles-of-effective-web-design/>.

Whybrow, Li. C.R.A.P Web Design For eLearning. eLearning Industry, 21 May 2015. Web. 28 May 2016. <https://elearningindustry.com/using-crap-web-design-for-elearning>.

CRAP

Hello!!

In class, we did talk about C.R.A.P and how it can break or make a site. As an example, we saw a professor’s personal page of contact for his students. As more classes got added to his regiment, so did the aesthetics of his page. Even his profile picture was kept the same, it did however, change position and size.

We sadly judge books by the covers, or in this case, websites. In InDesign, that is very important to have everything aesthetically pleasing. If the content does not draw the reader’s eye, then it does not get read. I learned this lesson in Yearbook when I was on the committee during high school. It was sad that we personally did not see value in written content and it showed at the end result when almost everyone in the school pointed out the tiny spelling mistakes.

So lesson learned; we need to spell and grammar check before sending off to the final product. So on the website, I figure that any text-based content, I should write it in a word document before publishing it for the world to see.

Recently, the group decided to go with Wix instead, which is a good idea. I personally find it hard to navigate through considering Weebly. Wix looks amazing for the eye though. Jho was playing around with the group page and even with the stock pictures, the colors and layout was amazing.

When I construct my pages, which will hopefully be soon, I will try to keep in mind these few tips that I will share to y’all! This one will take you to Forbes tips for a good site. They look at rich people, so they must know what is u! Also, here are 13 simple tips for a BOMB website. Lastly, this link will talk about C.R.A.P.

InDesign Time! Also, some Second Life.

So far so good. I have downloaded Second Life. It feels like just another MMO. It also reminds me of SIMS, yet with better graphics. Also, it seems to be focused on socializing, and not an emphasis building a fictional life.

For the first trial, I had to shut the program down because it was making my surface pro overheat. Although the graphics were not as heavily effected as I was expecting, I was still experiencing some lag. I wonder if it is because my surface pro is still a tablet, but it was the most heavy duty tablet that was available.  

I will keep on trying with the game, but the lag is turning me off from playing. I am going to try to turn off all of my other programs and just focus on Second Life and seeing if it will work better. 

I absolutely love InDesign. I’ve been away from the program for almost five years, and what a mistake. So many possibilities in InDesign, that I was forgot how much fun it was to play around in the program. Photoshop is still amazing too, however, I find myself getting fruserated more often. I really should have watched some tutorials before playing around. These videos should help y’all. I’ll watch them too because I may need to learn some more tips.