Now that you've chosen your brief to work to you should be involved in the initial research and planning stages for your site's re-design. In comments below could you answer the following:
N.B. Remember that the 'Chrome' browser works best on the DAC's macs for putting-in blog comments - Safari has shown that it's a bit hit and miss at it..
Please put first:
• Your name
• What brief you've chosen
• Which tutor/session you're with.
Site maps:
1. Have you created a site map yet for your chosen site?
2. Does it have explanatory notes and comments on it as opposed to just graphical boxes and lines?
3. Is it the sort of thing that would be easily understood if handed to a client without further explanation? If 'no' then what do you need to add do you think?
Key page wireframes:
1. How many key page layouts do you see on the existing chosen site?
2. Have you summarised these yet into page wireframes (without any designs inc. at all)?
3. Have you added any notes to the wireframes, if 'no' then would these be easily understood if handed to a client without further explanation?
Initial research
1. Name 3 sites that you've picked up from your initial research into similar sites over the last few weeks you've had the brief.
2. Is there a most notable find research-wise and if 'yes' then why do you think this?
3. Have you pasted-in screen pics from these sites and your notes/thoughts into your layout pads and/or blogs?
Initial sketch ideas
1. On the back of initial research into other similar sites (and your own thoughts over the last couple of weeks) have you started to sketch-out thumbnail ideas yet in your layout pads and add some notes/thinking? If 'no' then what are your plans?
N.B. Remember that the 'Chrome' browser works best on the DAC's macs for putting-in blog comments - Safari has shown that it's a bit hit and miss at it..
Please put first:
• Your name
• What brief you've chosen
• Which tutor/session you're with.
Site maps:
1. Have you created a site map yet for your chosen site?
2. Does it have explanatory notes and comments on it as opposed to just graphical boxes and lines?
3. Is it the sort of thing that would be easily understood if handed to a client without further explanation? If 'no' then what do you need to add do you think?
Key page wireframes:
1. How many key page layouts do you see on the existing chosen site?
2. Have you summarised these yet into page wireframes (without any designs inc. at all)?
3. Have you added any notes to the wireframes, if 'no' then would these be easily understood if handed to a client without further explanation?
Initial research
1. Name 3 sites that you've picked up from your initial research into similar sites over the last few weeks you've had the brief.
2. Is there a most notable find research-wise and if 'yes' then why do you think this?
3. Have you pasted-in screen pics from these sites and your notes/thoughts into your layout pads and/or blogs?
Initial sketch ideas
1. On the back of initial research into other similar sites (and your own thoughts over the last couple of weeks) have you started to sketch-out thumbnail ideas yet in your layout pads and add some notes/thinking? If 'no' then what are your plans?
Carl Sherry
ReplyDeleteIPT Government Website
Andy Stevenson, Monday 2:15pm
Site Maps:
1. Yes
2. No comments or notes yet, but I can add some in.
3. Hopefully the client will have a general understanding of my site map.
Key Page Wireframes:
1. 2 Key Page Layouts
2. I have done 1 of these layouts so far.
3. No, but I dont feel anything more than the words 'Title' or 'Body Text'would be necessary.
Inital Research:
1. http://www.woking-shopping.co.uk/
http://www.theoracle.com/
http://www.number10.gov.uk/
http://www.justice.gov.uk/
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/
2. Yes, a rotating selection of hyperlinked images on the home page. Also photo's or icons associated to the links to other pages.
3. Not yet.
Initial Sketch Ideas
1. Not yet, but I intend to use elements of the 5 websites I have found to design legible yet engaging initial ideas.
Sophie McGough
ReplyDeleteistraw brief
Andy Stevenson - monday afternoon
Site maps;
i have created a site map for my chosen site but haven't completed it to detail. it has a few notes on it explaining what the page will contain etc. but i would need to further this as if i was to hand it to a client they would probably not understand it. i need to add further information and maybe make a digital copy of it as i've just looked at it a week later and don't understand some of the things i have wrote down in places.
Key page wireframes;
i would say there is about 4-5 key wireframes of the existing site. all of the existing site wireframes has the main navigation across the top of the page however the only difference is is where the content of words, images and videos (if any) are positioned on each page. i have only summarised the home page as a wireframe so far - more work needs to be done in reading week. i need to learn how to use the correct language when adding notes so if handed to a client they will understand what i mean.
Initial research;
this is something i need to be getting on with. the only research i have done is screenshot the product information about the istraw so i can understand the product in detail for me to come up with ideas for design for the site - if it will tie in with the design of the site and the product.
Initial sketch ideas;
i have started to sketch out some ideas but these ideas have been off the top of my head - i haven't been inspired by anything in particular and was just experimenting with wireframes and their composition. however if i was to do the initial research now and get on with that then my sketches will develop over the next two weeks.
Polina Litvinova
ReplyDeleteChosen Brief -Istraw
Andy Stevenson (monday afternoon session)
Site Maps:
1. Yes I have crated a site map for my chosen brief.
2.No, not yet.
3.No, I should include more notes on the side to make it very self explanatory to the client.
Key page wireframes:
1. The layout of the pages stays the same throughout the entire site (pages).
2. Yes I have summarised a couple of pages without any design, colour, images etc...
3.No, But I think that the notes would make it easier for the client to visualise what the web would look like so the notes should/will be added.
Initial research
1. http://www.lifestraw.org.uk/
http://www.virgin-pure.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=water%20purifier&utm_campaign=Generic%20-%20Water%20Purifier
http://www.thebushcraftstore.co.uk/surviva-pure-water-purification-straw-250-p.asp
There are a lot of similar websites out there but most of them refer to filters rather then straws.
2.There are a lot of useful information on different websites the problem is picking the right details and putting them together to come up with a final design.
3. Not yet.
Initial sketch ideas
1.Mostly I've been looking at different websites writing what I like and dont like (what i want the website to include, what would work, what wouldn't, what works well, talking to people, asking them what they expect from the website) gaining ideas and writing them down before I start putting those ideas on paper.
KRYSTINA SELLEY
ReplyDeleteINDUSTRY AND PARLIAMENT TRUST
ANDY STEVENSON.
1 I have created a site map
2 I have added explanatory notes to the map.
3. I think the site map would be easily understood however i think I could improve the notes attached to my site map by making them more clear and explaining in more detail why I think areas of the site are good/bad in relation to the site map.
1 The website really only has one layout with the top and bottom section and the left hand menu bar remaining the same throughout the site. Only the middle section changes depending on the content. The style of the content varies accross the site with some pages having rollover images as buttons and others having just a table or a few hyper links. On the home page there is an additional colloumn on the right with some quick access links to areas in the site.
2 I have created 2 wireframes. One for the homepage and one for the rest of the pages. I created two because the layout throughout the site remains the same roughly with only the middle section of the site changing depending on the page. The home page however also includes another collumn of links for fast access to other areas of the site so I included this section in the wire frame for my home page. I maybe should think about doing some more wireframes to show on some of the main sections for each of the pages as how the content is displayed is quite different e.g. some pages just show simple tables, some show mainly just text and others include rollover images and slideshows etc.
3 I have not yet added any notes to my wire frames. I think they are easy to understand but some additional notes would help the client better understand them.
1 The industry and parliament trust site is part of the government and on the site there are several links to other government sites such as EU parliament and UK parliament and parliament week. Most of the sites are formal however the parliment week site looks more exciting probably because its aimed at a wider audience including schools and therefore aims to get children excited by it. I'd also like to look into other sites that target small and medium businesses as the ipt site is also targeting them as well as MP’s.
2 Most of the government sites are laid out in a formal and organised way. Information should be clear and easy to find and presented in a clear way.
3 I have cut out and stuck some examples of these other sites in my learning jornal and annotated them a bit.
1 I have so far thought about changing the navigation system and the headings to a top bar without drop down sublinks as I think this is over complicating the site. on selection of each heading I thought about then having an introductory page with a set of further links to the other pages in the selected section. I have also thought about redesigning the logo to make it more simple and moving it to the top left of the page. Although I havent sketched out ides for the logo yet I've produced a mind map of key words of what I feel it should represent, such as bringing people together, better understanding, industry etc.
Lauren Vasey
ReplyDeleteIPT
Monday afternoon, Andy Stevenson.
I have a 1st draft site map for my chosen site. The map consists of a Home page box with 3 pages branching off. About, Industry and Parliament. Each branch has a list of the content within that page.
Ive not made notes as such as it is simple enough for me to understand as a 1st draft site map.
In order for this to be shown to the client I would like to use the computer to get it to a professional standard and not hand drawn.
The map itself is very simple and would be easy to understand and allow the client to add content and sections if they feel something is missing.
Every key page on the IPT website has a different layout as the content changes from page to page. however the design is consistent and the style follows through each page.
Ive created one wire frame so far using the existing site with a few notes that show what is what for the client.
websites
http://www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/research/cig/
http://www.policyconnect.org.uk/apdig/designing-sustainable-policy-research-launch
http://www.moderngov.com/courses?task=view_detail&agid=248&year=2012&month=6&day=26
http://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/outreach-and-training/training/
The last website stood out as the a note worthy site. Its to other training in parliamentary issues. Giving business' insight into procedures that effect what they do. The site is simple and I was able to read it easily. I haven't yet updated my blog with my research, it will be added this week.
This week I need to do some more research and planning because the conference call from this session has changed my way of thinking in terms of structure and design.
Sian Lipscomb
ReplyDeleteiStraw
Andy Stevenson
Site maps:
1.Have you created a site map yet for your chosen site?
Yes, I have created one on word and have shown the layout of the website and also the secondary site map that is also included in the structure.
2.Does it have explanatory notes and comments on it as opposed to just graphical boxes and lines? No, it currently hasn’t been printed off but I will need to include notes and comments on it to explain the layout
3.Is it the sort of thing that would be easily understood if handed to a client without further explanation? If 'no' then what do you need to add do you think? I think that the main site map would be easily understood however I feel that the secondary/sub site map may need to be explained to a client as currently the website is closely connected.
Key page wireframes:
1.How many key page layouts do you see on the existing chosen site? Yes, I have created one for the main page of the site and will do another one for the two wireframe pages.
2. Have you summarised these yet into page wireframes (without any designs inc. at all)? Yes, there are a few notes and comments to help me describe the current layout and where the text and images are currently found.
3. Have you added any notes to the wireframes, if 'no' then would these be easily understood if handed to a client without further explanation? Yes, I think it would be easily understood by a client as its simple and easy to use and understand with limited text and concentrates mainly on the layout and the information that will be provided on the main page.
Initial research
1.Name 3 sites that you've picked up from your initial research into similar sites over the last few weeks you've had the brief.
Oasis
LifeStraw
WHO (World Health Organisation)
2.Is there a most notable find research-wise and if 'yes' then why do you think this?
Mose of the existing websites are fairly bright and clean, clear from unwanted clutter. Most also use imagery as a key way to display and explain information about their products.
3.Have you pasted-in screen pics from these sites and your notes/thoughts into your layout pads and/or blogs?
No the information and screen shots needs to be printed off and stuck into my layout pad.
Initial sketch ideas
1.On the back of initial research into other similar sites (and your own thoughts over the last couple of weeks) have you started to sketch-out thumbnail ideas yet in your layout pads and add some notes/thinking? If 'no' then what are your plans?
No, I currently don’t have any thumbnail sketches. One of my ideas is too try and include and develop the graphics and images used in the short video on the main page as I think it’s quite an interesting and interactive design. I also have a more sophisticated and minimalistic design in mind to mimic the cleanliness and uncluttered asthetics of the iStraw
Alex Banes
ReplyDeleteiStraw
Andy Stevenson - Monday 2:15
Site Maps:
I have created a site map for the iStraw website indicating both main header and secondary heading links. I intend to expand on this and include more in depth notes.
I believe if the sitemap was handed to a client it would be easy to understand as each sub section is represented in a different colour.
However more arrows maybe needed as various pages have links to the same sub page
Key page Wireframes:
On the existing chosen site there are many key page layouts.
I have currently summarised the home page into a detailed wireframe, Intend to summarise the remaining layouts over the forthcoming week.
I have added heading notes to the home page wireframe indicating what each section represents.
Initial Research:
Over the last few weeks I've researched a few similar sites that relate to my brief. These are mainly companies selling simular products which rival iStraw.
One site I found interesting was 'SteriPEN.com'
The layout of this site was far more impressive than iStraw as it was clear a greater attention to detail had been taken when designing and planning the content. Another feature I particularly liked was that the website recognised I was a returning viewer to the site and asked me if I needed any assistance via a small instant messaging window within the browser.
I have posted these screen shots into my blog for further reference.
Initial Sketch Ideas:
I am yet to start any initial sketches however I intend to do a series of different designs over the course of reading week. By referring to similar product sites I intend to incorporate all the elements that make these sites work so efficiently whilst still implementing a design which will make iStraw stand out from the crowd
IPT Brief. Andy Stevenson
ReplyDeleteSite Maps
1. Yes
2. To a degree. It is an in depth site map, there aren't annotations, but almost every link is accurately mapped out.
3. Yes, possibly too complicated, may need to tidy up and simplify it.
Key Page Wireframes
1. Two main ones. The basic layout is the same on both the home page and all subsequent side pages, aside from one thing. The home page features another side bar (on the other side) that contains social media and news feeds.
2. Yes
3. No notes added to the wireframe, but it is such a simple basic layout that a client would be able to understand it.
Initial Research
1. The main Parlimentary website, the EU Parlimentary Website and the main US government website.
2. Not that I can think of in terms of the website research, the designs are all pretty similar. One consistent theme is the illusion of simplicity, whereas underneath each of the websites contain a lot of information and complex navigation (Which as a whole is not very user friendly)
3. Not yet, no.
Initial Sketch Ideas
1. I have started to sketch out some thumbnails but havent really annotated them as of yet.
Nathan
Matthew Blick - IPT - Andy Stevenson
ReplyDeleteI have not finalised my site map yet as I have used the opportunity to wait until today's lecture to ask the client about the amount of pages used in the website; and I have found that they are willing to cut down the number of pages and will now be able to re-draw the site map to suit that.
The existing site has really only one page layout but I have also found that the client wants to have a well-flowing website with a modern design so that it becomes more appealing and easy to use for the target audience of MP's and young business entrepreneur's.
ibse.org.uk is a very similarly purposed site as he IPT website but I think it has a much more modern layout as I think the information is displayed nicely without making the page too busy. I think further research into other similar sites will give me a broader view of what is out there.
I am currently in the process of producing some sketched ideas now that I have had feedback from the agent about how the client would like the mass of information arranged and thinned out.
Lauren
ReplyDeleteIPT
Andy Stevenson
Sitemaps:
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
Key page wireframes:
1. Homepage, subpages (layout of text and images vary slightly), events page, form/login.
2. Yes
3. Yes
Initial Research:
1. Gov.uk, justice.gov.uk, una.org.uk
2. Interesting ideas from a few esp. regarding the overall structure/organisation of information and type of homepage that they use. I've seen a mixture of news-based and path-based homepage, but at the moment I think the second approach would better suit the brief, judging from the similar websites that I've seen.
3. Yes
Initial sketch ideas
1. Yes