8 Web Design Tactics to Help You When You’re Stuck October 9, 2007

http://www.seomoz.org/blog/web-design-tactics

These are some very useful tips to keep in mind when designing your site. With any project, I’ve always found it useful to sketch out your ideas on paper before going straight to an application.  It also makes sense to build the body of your website before trying to determine the title.  It’s also helpful to get ideas from sites that work.  If you like a particular website, there is a reason for that. Figure out why you like that site and make it work with yours, without copying. 

 Sometimes you do need to walk away. When things get frustrating, it’s best to take a break and come back when your not so stressed.

It’s also a good tip to not do the same type of design element over and over. This gets boring.  Although, I don’t think you should use every design element possible. This will make your site look like many different sites.

It’s always good to get other opinions. Maybe they can point out something you just can’t see, because you’ve been looking at the design for so long.

FOGE Recommendations October 9, 2007

This website has a lot going on. There is just so much involved, it seems to be very overwhelming. Not to mention the text is very small, making it difficult to read, and the white text on the black background isn’t very easy on the eyes, as well.  They should really weed out some of the text, it is a bit much.

 

The overall design is really small and compressed. It would be more effective if it was spread out, allowing the text to be larger and more visible. There could also be less drop links in the homepage. The links on the homepage could branch off into other pages, keeping the main navigation links more simple.  The actually links could stand out more, using a red button for example, and if there are drop down links, they should not be on a transparent background.  They should also divide up the navigation and have some links across the top.

 

The whole site is designed the same whether you are a child, volunteer/adult, or donating company. The “Kid’s Web Page” is fun, but as soon as you click a link, it takes you back to the original design. I’m not quite sure why the “Galaxy Ball” page is in a different format then the rest (there is no navigation).

 

I would also include some more pictures on the page. Throughout the site, the only ones they do have seem to be distorted.

http://bcts-potomac.aacc.edu/128b/19/week6/foge-recommendations.html

5 Principles to Design By October 8, 2007

http://bokardo.com/archives/five-principles-to-design-by/ 

1) Technology Serves Humans- If someone can’t find something on a web site, it is the web designer’s gault!

2) Design is not Art- Great Design is dependent upon the age in which it is made and the problem which it is meant to solve. Art is timeless.  Good Design is something that works well.

3) The Experience Belongs to the User- The designer is at the service of the user.

4) Great Design is Invisible- Bad design is easier to spot then good design. It is awkward, difficult, & complex.

5) Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication- Knowing what to keep & what to throw away… less is more!

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2007/03/08/best-of-february-2007/

Fireworks Ch. 4 & 5 October 8, 2007

In these chapters we learned to add text, create shapes, and used different aspects of layers. The result is the example home page. I feel it is pretty easy to do. No problems!

Rollovers October 4, 2007

http://bcts-potomac.aacc.edu/128b/19/week6/rollover.html

I love rollovers! They really make your buttons stand out, so simple, yet so effective.