Three Important Conceptual Aspects to Create a Successful Site


Successful Web-site designs are carefully crafted to specifically meet the goals for the site set forth by the entity it represents.

I. Superior Design

    Web-site design is comprised of three aspects.
    1. The "architectural" structure: the hierarchy structure of the linking, technical functionality, etc.
    2. The content: artistic visual and text style, the interactive flow and conceptual relationships.
    3. The business support and functionality.

    Production design teams for web sites need to be comprised of a unique blend of knowledge and experience that combines:
      a sophisticated fluency and extensive experience with visual communication design
      and
      an extensive understanding of how to exploit the technical possibilities of telecommunications and Web technology to achieve business goals.

    Graphics and multimedia are used to enhance:

      the public perception of the quality class of the organization
      the effectiveness of the content
      to facilitate an easy scan of the information, rather than to just provide visual "eye candy" excitement.


    The visual style is devised to create a cyber environment appropriate to the unique status and "personality" style of the entity represented by the site.(ie. commercial sales bagans, solid trustworthy manufacturer, trendy entertainment, etc.)

    Technical specialist must have expertise in business systems efficiency that provides an opportunity for a company to integrate the use of their Web site into their business methodology in a way that will increase and enhance their overall effectiveness.

II. Dynamic Quality

    Web sites, by their very interactive nature, demand a well-crafted dynamic quality. There are three aspects of dynamic quality.
    1. The flow of the "audience" through the site content.
    2. The addition or change of content information on a regular basis.
    3. Opportunities for communication exchange between the "audience" and the site owner(s) or between "audience" members.

    Web sites and pages need to be designed using the principles that apply to interactive and hypertext media: the same literary and media format found in interactive CD ROMS. These visual and literary design principles are quite different from those used in print media.

    Web sites and pages need to be authored by writers with demonstrated expertise in educational course writing to ensure that content is presented in a manner and contextural order that is easy for the client to absorb and understand.

    Technical and artistic expertise combines to devise sites in which:
      the audience is "hooked" and led through the site information by text and linking structures in a logical pattern that ultimately leads them to the desired reaction.
      text and links flow conceptually in a manner that makes it easy for the audience to absorb the intended "message" of the site.

    Timely content must be incorporated into the site, which will serve the business functionality needs of the site owner and entice the audience to return to the site on a regular basis.

    Forms are used to facilitate the collection of data for use in company functioning.

    Message boards and live chat functionalities are provided:
      for business functions
      to facilitate the development of a "personal" relationship and a sense of community between the audience and the site owner and also between audience members.

III. Ease of Use

    Careful consideration must be given to the target audience of the site.

    A sophisticated understanding of the universal visual language of communication and Human Useage Factors must be employed at all times to ensure that even a novice user can interact sucessfully with the site.

    All designs and technologies must be carefully chosen and structured to ensure that the look and functionality of the site remains the same regardless of the platform or browser being used to view it: "Branding"..

    The use of HTML and other coding languages must be carefully considered in relation to the technology available to the sites' target audience.
      A in-depth expertise in the W3Org standards for HTML & XML code
      The ability to code from scratch is imperitive. Authoring software can be used to speed up sturcture layout and page layout, but the fine tuning of layout and page fuctionality can only be done through a thorough control of direct coding. This includes a working understanding of JavaScripting and various CGI.

    A thorough understanding and faciltiy of all aspects of the use of mulitmedia within web sites is imperitive. This includes, sound and sound editing, 2D animation, VRLM, video and video editing, graphics. For each of these catagories there are mulitiple authoring softwares, file formats, client viewing softwares, delivery technologies, and compression methods. Choices of which combinations to use depend on the specific needs and goals of each site.

    Additionally, any aspects of business functionality must be crafted to interface with any and all platforms in use at the owner's facility.



If you have specific questions
send email to Stephanie Schoelzel
or
phone 323-807-6471


 

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