Wix Site

Jen's Wix Site

Compare and contrast between Web Expression and Wix

Well LOL, where should I start. I will never become a web designer. I suppose I will start with the html experience. After starting the third site I became extremely frustrated. I did teach myself that you should have all of the basic framework established and in working order before you start adding your content. I worked almost all day yesterday on my second site in Expression and it was an absolute disaster! None of my navigation worked , my default home page disappeared, why I have absolutely no idea. Probably the same reason my Images folder magically disappeared from the first site I attempted to do, no good reason. So I attempted to recreate it, I couldn't. So what I knew to do was to start over, again. The third time I made sure everything navigationally was correct before I added my content. This time it went good, not great, but it will be finished for the last class tonight. Hooray! This site is going to be a very generic looking site. I got the information on the pages that I needed to and all navigation is functionable as intended. For fear of things disappearing I did not want to mess too much in the code. At this point I just need to get it done.

I initially intended to use Weebly. I had looked into this earlier but once I started getting into it I made the decision to work in Wix. There were a lot more templates and it seemed easier. It was a lot less frustrating to do the site in Wix than Expression. Easier to place things where you wanted them, change things and alter things all from the wix site. This still took me a lot longer than I had anticipated and is not exactly what I had envisioned. There seemed to be so many more options to choose being a non web designer than a html specialist. I was able to start with my own navigation bar and not have to mess with changing and getting confused with the folder default pages. It was easier for me to make sure I was on the correct page I was editing than in Expression.

How are they different, Expession looks generic from the fear I placed on myself of not getting done on time and the fear of things disappearing and not working since I really did not know what I was doing. The Wix site has a nicer visual appeal to me, it is more colorful and creative, this is since I had less fear of the software and could get closer to the goals I had for the site.

I think Wix was more friendly for the non web designer user which lets you feel more comfortable and creative. Once you got to know your way around the options it was very easy to continue with your layout. Whereas with expression I could mess around for a lot longer period of time trying to get the result I wanted and just settling for what I got.

How did my final project differ from my storyboard.

My storyboard was slightly different than my final project, probably mostly from the home page. I  visualized a lot wider than I could deliver. I did not have the time to master some of the skills it would have taken for me to get the result I had in my mind. The content of the storyboard was the same but the layout turned out to be more of what I could just accomplish with what I knew how to do.

What have I learned in this class that will help me in the future.

Well at this point what I would really want to say is that I will find the money somewhere to have someone create the website I wish I could have, so it is the way I want it to look. But to be fair I will remove my frustrations and answer the question as professionally as I can.

There are many different things to take into consideration when you are creating a website. Not all things are just for the site. A lot of aspects have to do with the groundwork for the site but could be applied to printable marketing tools, flyers, post cards, business cards, etc. I made a new business announcement card while I was in this class through Vista print and while I was creating it I thought a lot about the C.R.A.P principles and I will say that it turned out great and I have had many comments on how nice it looks.

I can say that I never really sat and thought about all of the nuts and bolts of a website before this class, there is a lot more to it than what is seen on the screen. The html code is the skeleton of a site and from my experience in this class I have learned that it is not the easiest thing to work with. At least not in a 7 week course. I did learn about files, file size and how to save, how to manipulate a photo in Photoshop. I learned that it takes practice with these programs that it is not a instant learning from an hour lecture type of thing. I learned that if you can visualize an idea you probably can produce it but it will take some time to accomplish it to get the results that you want so you are satisfied.

So in a nut shell I have learned to be more observant and thoughtful of who is looking and how they are looking at any piece of marketing method you choose to use, it is not just a visual thing, there is a lot of technical to get the visual. This to me was frustrating at times, when I could not produce the visual I wanted due to my lack of technical knowledge.

Wix not Weebly, whatever!

I did not use Weebly , I wound up using Wix.

Online HTML

I am going to choose Weebly for my site.

Diigo

KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID!
Things to keep in mind when creating a website.

1. Keep personal
2. Simple
3. Good grammer
4. Good content
5. Conclusion @ beginning
6. Use Lists
7. Short sentences
8. Internal sub-headings
9. Proof read

You need to Brainstorm and try different ideas and be sure to proof read all content. This can be done through storyboards. Storyboards help with planning and organization.

Additional priorities:

• User friendly
• Consistency
• Standard site dimensions are 1024 X 768
• Keep related advertising with your content
• No overcrowded content
• Not too much text
• Know flash if you use it
• Keep in mind browser Capabilities

and again KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID! Remember K.I.S.S. and C.R.A.P!

Reading chapters 13 and 14

Chapter 13 went over a lot of things to keep in mind while creating your site:

• The use of tables and tables within tables to create sidebars and content layout structure
• color-don't be afraid to adjust, make it your own unique creation
• aliased font for small font to ensure it does not get fuzzy
• Image size in relation to download time, have a low quality pic appear first then to be replaced by a high quality image so to ensure the viewer is not waiting for content
• Using the slice tool for animation purposes
• lock transparencies, watch the scalability of the images

Chapter 14

• TEST YOUR SITE, Make sure things are full of C.R.A.P., that all links are working, navigation takes you to the correct place., photos load right and it is the way you want it. Spelling included.
• Fix anything that is not the way it should be before publishing.

Importance of the storyboard and again usability and accessability

Storyboards help you to organize the content you want to use. You can use them to plan where and how you want your content located within the site pages for the most usability and accessibility. They are a great visual aid for layout. In addition to this they also are a time saving tool because you are thinking ahead of the creating process and you can better use your time to implement the skills needed to build the site. Ground work.

RIP

My sons friend OD'd and died today. His sister posted a message to her brother on Facebook and it was so sad. He was only 20, what a shame.

McKaskey

There is absolutely no reason these days, not that years ago it was justified either but for a 19 year old to have a baby and throw it in the trash. Absolutely ridiculous! It is just messed up!

Advantages of Web Design

The main advantage of creating your own web site would be cost. Professional websites can cost thousands of dollars not only to design but to do the updating . Depending on your budget you may need to design your own and you can with a little research and planning. Drawbacks that you may encounter could be exposure, professionals do have the knowledge first hand of how to get your name out there for the exposure.Another drawback could be if you did not have an eye for design or organization and the site you designed did not utilize usability and accessibility you would not achieve the results you wanted . 

Is web design good for everyone?

No, there are a lot of different aspects that need to be addressed to have an effective web site. While everyone could do a website , if these aspects such as organization, file choice, usability , accessibitity, color choice, layout, etc. are not done in a fashion that is appealing to the viewer the designer may not get the results they want.

Usability vs. Accessibility

Usability refers to ease of navigation through your website to find information quickly and it must be simple for the viewer. Accessibility refers to the compatibility to all browsers being used and accommodating the site is to people with disabilities. Navigation and compatibility are both very important to satisfy the viewer and keep them interested in your content.

My website critique understanding

The absolute most important aspect in a website is to get to the information that you want quickly. I don't want to get frustrated before I find something. So, I personally would prioritize this aspect on my site. All major functions should be right on the main home page. I do not like to scroll and scroll. I want to see it and click to get exactly where I need to go. This helps in efficiency and that ensures more productivity. $$$

McMaster-Carr

Mcmaster-Carr is a site I use a lot and it is very user friendly, to search and navigate through, order and check out. Everything is categorized but you can also enter in a search and it will come up that way too. So you do not get frustrated searching for the item you want. They use a list of items on the left as well as a thumbnail picture on the right ,this is particularly helpful if you know what your part may look like but are unsure of the exact name of it. Gotta love pics. All contact, account and help is along the top to help as well.

www.midatlanticstockcarracing.com

This website is not so user friendly. The tabs do not give you the information that you want. Page not found errors appear. Color is obnoxious and the there is not enough contrast in the font. Too much text. Side links are nice and direct you to them properly. Repetition in paragraph separation with the pictures. Site is boring.

Quiz pg.154

The one that instantly strikes me is the top page. The black with yellow and purple grabbed me. However, while analyzing both I think the bottom one is a better choice. Items are aligned, still have contrast, categorized. Also viewers with a smaller monitor would be able to view total home page which makes it easier to get around. No searching for additional information as you navigate through the frames.

Niagra Falls Photo

1. Edit Picture and crop out people in background if you do not want them in there.
2.  Make sure the image is saved using the correct color mode. and watch for web-safe colors.
3. Check resolution so you pic is clear and crisp.
4. Check size , if it is too large it will take too long to load.
5. Check file format, if not saved in proper format it could alter view from web.

Readability / Legibility

Readability- ease in reading a lot of text
Legibility- ease of recognizing short bursts of text

In paying attention to the typography you use ensures the reader will gain all from what you want to say. You need to watch your text size, not too big, not too small. Watch contrast, text size, be aware how your format could change between operating systems and also how your format could change with the viewers browser.

Sand and Sun

I especially liked the two polls that made me think about the beach. Where I really would rather be!

What is your understanding of designing for the web vs. designing for print.

Considerations need to be evaluated for all audiences when using any form of published communications so they are assessable to everyone.The most important aspect is to grab the reader whether that be a teen mom or a established businessman. Web design needs to get your information across in a organized appealing way, web pages need to be understandable and easy to find with the information that the reader wants to get to.Web sites need proper marketing through search engines and  directories for the masses to access your site. If they can not find what they are looking for the reader will go to someone elses site. NOT THE GOAL! Print design also needs to be pleasant and concise for the audience and can at times be a better alternative than the web however, can be more costly. Personally, culture is driving communication to internet based form, through all the different devices and technology we have. How many post offices have they closed in the past coupke of years, books on nook or computer, huge marketing tools through www and companies charging you to have the bill or statement actually mailed to you? Hmm...this may be a good poll:)

Reflect on what you leaned from the videos under"Exploring Web Design". Summarize the information.

I learned that web design is front-end development using fundamental skills and that the following should be addressed to ensure success.
1 User interface must be used to satisfy the customer goals.Content is king.
2. Your design needs to be clean, concise and uncluttered
3. Pay attention to the architectural structure of the pages. Organization with proper page navigtion while drawing attention to the content that is most important.
4. Mock up the web site first
5. Build it.
6. TEST it.

Saturday Philosophy Class

If you have the time, look at this amazing kid in the link below!

http://www.openculture.com/2013/03/9-year-old_philosopher_ponders_the_meaning_of_life_and_the_universe.html

Interesting Backgrounds

Well I was going to pick Dhalia's background but she changed it. It had an Old World, scholarly feel to it and it was brown, my favorite color. So my choice now would be Penny's 40 cents, the background has a playful feel to it and a bright color scheme.

Prompt Question : What did you learn about graphic design and how does graphic design play a role in our daily lives and activities in both print and web?

Graphic design in print and for the web must be focused towards the reader. Organization, C.R.A.P. color, structure and file choice must all be evaluated first to ensure reader curiosity to explore text or website pages to gather information that you wish to convey. The methods you choose must be easy and understandable for everyone to visually or navigationally move through.We use many electronic daily devices that use graphic design: cell phone, tablets, PC, whether for work, education or pastime; as well as viewing print graphics through newsprint, magazines , flyers, financial reports or newsletters.What is pleasing to the eye is what will peak our interest the most and keep us engaged, so certain criteria must be recognized when reviewing graphic design for both web and print.

Print or Web Quiz pg.112

1. Smaller corporations via email, larger corporations in print for bulk mailings.
2 .I would send a four color brochure to ensure you catch thier eye initially with a website address available for further viewing of your skill. If you just send the address the prospective employer has the opportunity to look or not.
3. To avoid additional postage and disk costs, I would sed a link for the update over the web.
4. With information changing in that short of a time frame the web is the logical answer. If print is used the customer could always be an update behind.
5. Publish your informational booklets in print so they are copyrighted and market on the web.
6. Have your sweethearts masterpieces printed in high resolution. The files would have to be too small to do them justice on the web. And she may not want her work as publicized as you do.

Good Night!

Wish I had more time to play with this.

1st Post

I am very interested in this class for the information to get my web site up and running , however I am thinking it will not be as advanced as I would like. It is very nice that everyone seems to be on the same level.