Adventures into Web Design

Blog Post 3

dortiznyc — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:07:26 +0000

I found it very interesting in “History of the graphical user interface” on the wikipidia site the dramatic change of operating systems from where it began to how I know of it now. The Graphical User Interface (GUI) I cant image it was the hype and circulation of talk when people began to understand it’s function. The begin blue prints of organization and how to think as a user can be seen in the examples. How the folders and symbols were designed, you can still see these icon designs today just in a more modern tone. An article that I can agree with when it comes to the importance of users and what they do when they are on-line. A user compared to a technological person such as a web designer can go on a heavily complicated website like eBay.com understand whats the structured foundation that was designed or created to handle the concept of this website. A user doesn’t think this way, he/she is like ” Oh cool I’m on eBay, what can I sell”, or buy, watch an auction, purchase a new car perhaps? Its really funny when you think of it because I like to purchase things on-line as well and I can see myself getting caught up in the USER ZONE. Other points that were stressed were how to design a website correctly which is something that I feel needs to be stressed and repeated because there are alot of steps with this technology and everyone is viewing your work on a different computer with a different browser. As a designer we have all had that experience where you didn’t double check and now your site looks wacky on firefox but two thumbs up for safari. Overall even if nobody wanted to admit it, it is unprofessional and it comes off this way to alot of employers.

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The users experience has to be satisfied like a linear equation on both sides, the design aspect and the usability. It is like being considerate to a costumer in a retail store, you do not want to give them misleading information about products or where they can located in the store. In order to have a successful retail on-line business you must understand how the customers feels because they are the users and the more related the on-line experience is the real thing the more comfortable they will feel. Adding features such as direct I’M chat with an on-line representative is great because it keeps down an overflow of phone calls. As well as when you go into a store expect the atmosphere of the store to represent what kind of clothing or products they sell. This is where design comes in and it is very important because many creative people can be turned off to a horrible combination of colors. Being aware that you dont have alot of time to keep the attention of the user is good because if they cant get there in 3 clicks or less or find anything they will say it all in a review, this is why I agree with the post “More Evidence that Speed Is Key to User Experience”.

Blog Assignment 2

dortiznyc — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 21:21:18 +0000

Web Design has always been technical but because of web browser compatibility and all the new web 3.0 and upgrades it continues to become more complicated. As a designer one has to go down a check list to make sure your website is more then just a pretty design. Functionality is very important, what would be the use of a winter coat if it only kept you looking good and not warm. Many designers coming from a print design point of view encounter problems such as this. I cannot lie I am a victom of this syndrome I call ” In the year 2000″, I call it this because the transition between print and print brings a new aspect of design. Such as learning and understanding that not only does your end user want a good looking website but he/she would like to get to there destination link within 3 clicks. I also encountered browser problems between firefox and safari because my website functions better in safari instead (www.mydwing.com) of firefox. Today you also have to be a hip and cool web designer what makes you cool is understanding that you can have end users interact with sites. This creates massive traffic flow and new web trends begin such as a little site I know called Twitter.com. The simplest social web community I have ever seen but catching up quick with its competitors myspace and facebook. On Twitter you simply update what you are currently doing and a chain of followers recieve this information as do you. Like every social community you can comment back set up a profile with pictures and etc. Applications are whats a big addaption to the social online world now, being able to add apps to your site is cool. Facebook from my observations happen to be the first playing this game and myspace eventually adapted to attract facebook users. Vise Versa with Facebook taking certain myspace qualitys to attract myspace users. I hope web standards do become more stricktly inforced in classrooms as well as office but it has to begin with the very first class it must be embbeded from the beging.

BLOG POST 1

dortiznyc — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:06:32 +0000

Content writing for the web basically consist of getting straight to the point directing your readers to the real information you want them to get. Even in technology blogs the writing is very straight forward taking the reader to the meat or the content that they desire. A specific process just like print must take place before visually designing a web site. Knowing what this website is about helps determine what content you are looking to build. Tips such as the 3 click rule are very important to remember and consider. The attention span of the viewer can expire quickly if it takes too long to reach the content info they are looking for.

The web development process also includes knowing who your target audience is as well. The style in which it is designed the fonts, color scheme, and technical differences will tell you who the site is designed for. Keeping in consideration that each browser has to be tested individually for the purpose of compatibility. Specific codes can easily take care of this but, it is within the designer or encoder to make sure the website works well with different net browsers. Until the entire world works off of broadband service or a better created service in the future each web browser must be tested. The fact that everything is becoming more technological technology its self is changing and playing a greater role in our lives. HTML 5 is discussed as something in the works for the future down the line what we do not know is exactly how it can effect web designing and the Internet. We must now keep up with technology and alter the Internets personality each time. This means designers need to always upgrade their knowledge in the world of design and technology. Internet application are part of the revolution and helping social network communities become more interesting Social networking communities such as face-book and myspace have applications you can add to your page that can allow you to have a digital pet others can interact with right on your page. Everything is revolving around interaction. If a campaign can become interactive to your target in an appropriate way they the product will sell.

You have to consider the amount of work a web designer must encounter to upload a good website. This consist of it being a beautiful website and it should have the ability to function correctly. Not having a hard time finding a product or a specific link is due to having a good navigation. Site Maps are also important and can be used as a back up or a easy way to over view everything on the site. The blogs as a whole basically let you know that if you can create a website step by step and understanding the technical aspect and art of the creation you can be successfully. The most interesting point of web design is how accessible and interactive your site can be. Who can access it and how because now phones can access the Internet and its getting better. I did the majority of my home work on my phone, reading through the blogs and pre-writing everything on my note pad. I emailed it to myself and transferred it for editing and posting. Its like a bridge between being portable and at a desk but it works.