Class notes from April 22, 2013

Definitions:
IP: Internet Protocol
HTML: Hyper Text Markup Language.
Domain Name: Each web page needs to have a unique domain name.
DNS: Domain Name Server, keeps track of domain names.
Each website is a series of files on the Internet.
Index.html is the starting file of the website.
FTP: File Transport Protocol, used to the file (website).
FTP Address: Address of where to send the file (website).

Elements of Website Design

• Use Live type on website, so it can be cut and pasted.  (Search Engines can then find it.)
• When using a logo, can convert the type into an image so it shows the same in all displays
• Images: Can use own photos, can go to a stock image company to purchase the rights to photos
• Use Adobe Illustrator to manipulate images.  (Illustrator is a vector file, hard edge, allowing it to be blown up.  As opposed to a raster file (bit map) which is composed of dots.

First Attempt using Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop Notes:

• Make sure Photos are in RGB, not CMYK.
• For printing need 300 DPI, but for web need resolution of 72 DPI.
• Use Revert Command to go back if file hasn't been saved.
• When designing for web use pixels, when designing for paper use inches.

First Attempt using Photoshop

Group Project Start

Group Project Logo

Pinnacle Conservancy is an organization that purchases and restores the lands and waters it owns as well as manages and informs the public about our connection to the natural world.

This is all of the information we currently have about the fictitious company we are to design a website for.

Some starting ideas are::

• The L in Pinnacle looks like a tree, so there should be images of trees on the website.
• Green and Blue are good color choices for the web page due, to the use in the logo and the conservancies mission of restoring land and water, as well as portraying a connection to the natural world.
• Pinnacle needs a section on the website where they can solicit donations form visitors to fund their mission.
• A page of past accomplishments (land and waters restored) should be included.  This page (or pages, maybe one project per page?) should be very picture heavy and ideally would show before and after restoration photos to have the most impact.
• The home page needs to include the mission statement of Pinnacle.  Maybe include "who we are" as well as "our story".

Fair Use Info

What is Fair Use:

Fair use is a legal exception to the exclusive rights an owner has for his or her copyrighted work

It governs the use of pictures (and content)  found on the internets (as well as other places).  Running afoul of it will cause a person to get a cease and desist notice due to the The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).  (Or sued, or worse.)


Resources:

Wikipedia article on Fair Use

Fair Use legal article

Fair Use Analysis Tool by Purdue University

Web Team Roles

Web Developer Team Roles  (Media Design Team)

• Copy Writer/Client Liaison - Responsible for writing content for website.  Person responsible for contacting client and responsible for client communication
• Photography/Imagery Director - Responsible for assembling images for website. 
• Website Designer/Developer - Responsible for usability and design of website.
• Marketing Director - Responsible for translating the website to a money making business.  Responsible for incorporating existing images and print items into the web page.

Class notes from April 15, 2013

Best Practice of Web Design

• Clear, consistent navigation
• Consistent use of shapes
• Imagery that compliments message of site, does not distract
• Use of correct text with keyword content
• Do not make user guess or wait
• Color scheme that is consistent (or not) to direct attention

User Experience

• Make your site easy to find - Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Address and phone on ALL pages
• Large video or other large resources belong on secondary pages
• Graphics (images) that capture the eye and help to tell the story
• How does you site flow?
• Monitor size and color calibration
• Browser issues
• Need contact page including google other mapping page
• Make sure page is mobile friendly
• Update site frequently and make the information on website relevant and current

Classic Design (Print) vs. Web Design

• Print - more detail, more text
• Print - eye travels across the page differently than on web
• Print - more time to study/read content
• Web - images push the ideas
• Web - text enhances the idea
• Web - Down loadable files/secondary pages carry the content
• Colors on Websites: use primary colors and complimentary colors
• Yellow is not a good website color
• Use colors that convey the idea of the website (earth tones for earthy products, blue for water, orange for food, etc.)
• Color Wheel