OUGD504 - Designing for Web: Introduction

We had an introduction to Designing for Web, and here are my notes.

From the man who created web
'To link and access information of various kinds as a web of nodes in which the user can browse at will" - Tim Berners-Lee 1991

The worlds first web server, a NeXT computer designed and built by Steve Jobs.

Terminology

HTTP  - Hyper Text Transfer Protocol

• Process of transferring code from web server to computer what you're using to access information by typing in the URL

URL - Uniform Resource Locator

HTML - Hyper Text Markup Language

FTP - File Transfer Protocol

CMS - Content Management System

• A website where the content is updated
• A static website is where it doesn't change or update

Skeoumorphism 
Imitating something that already exists, for example ebooks having flipping pages like a real book, even though there is no need for this digitally

Responsive Design
Design 'responds' i.e. can be adapted to a variety of media using different screen sizes. Making a website adjusts according to screen size, i.e. iPad and iMac screens. The concept was introduced by Ethan Marcotte.

Considerations

Massimo Vignelli
'The grid is the most important tool that can be used by a layout designer'.

Things you should ask yourself when designing a website

• What is the purpose of the website?
• Who are the target audience?
• What do the target audience need from the website?

Portfolio Website

When creating a portfolio website, don't put hypothetical projects on for clients like Coca Cola and Nike, as these won't be approaching you - small businesses will, and this will put them off. It needs to be easy to navigate and stand out.

Reading List

• HTML and CSS: Design and build websites
• A Practical Guide To Designing for the Web
• Don't Make Me Think: A common sense approach to web usability

Websites

• www.awwwards.com
• webdesignerledger.com
• fivesimplesteps.com
• aisleone.net
• piccsy.com/everything-design

Examples

We were then asked to look at several websites and write down our first thoughts when we saw them. 

LCA

• Boring
• Narrow
• Corporate

BBC

• Cluttered
• Don't know where to look

No Limit Arcades

• Headache
• In your face
• Tacky
• Overload

Slavery Footprint

• What is it?

Lings Cars

• Animated
• Tacky
• Not legit
• Chicken?!

Evangel Cathedral

• Cult
• Game like
• Sinister
• American

We were then asked to look at some websites ourselves in preparation for next weeks session. The blog posts for this can be found here and here.