Phase II. Design & Produce
Phase II is the actual designing of the web site. In other words, the ideas of the site become a physical reality. This is when accessibility and usibility issues of the web site are first addressed and focused on mainly. For example, dark-colored text on a light-colored background is easier to read than light-colored text on a dark-colored background (see accessibility guidelines for more detailed information on the current standards). Please note that typing in all capitalized letters is the same as shouting.
- Design the Basic Site ~ We design the basic layout of the site. We avoid using too many flashing lights, colors, drop-down boxes, graphics, et cetera because these are distracting, limit accessibility, and look unprofessional. This process includes, but is not limited to, making sure the following is done:
- The web site is easy to read: This does not refer to the words we use, but to the way the words look on the page. Elements that contribute to text readability are the font, color of backgrounds, and color of text that you choose. We also consider the alignment of the main text of the page and text size when designing the client's web site.
- The web site is easy to navigate: We typically place the main navigation bar to where it runs down the left side of the web page because people typically read from left to right and from top to bottom (see Graphics for further discussion on this issue).
- The web site should be easy to find: Spiders (a computer program that browses the Web to discover and to store web page contents) "crawl" or analyze the words on a page and the meta-data in the code that produces the page. We use metatags to increase traffic by making the site easier to find when someone uses a search engine (see Metatags for further discussion on this issue).
- The web page layout and design is consistent throughout the site: We implement a theme throughout our sites because we believe that using a consistent theme creates and reinforces a distinct sense of "place" and makes the site more memorable. A consistent approach to layout and navigation allows readers to adapt quickly to the design and to confidently predict the location of information and navigation controls across the pages of the site. For example, if a graphic theme is choose, then we use it throughout the Web site (see Graphics for further discussion on this issue).
- The web site is quick to download: Speed is the key to keeping visitors on a web site. If a web site does not load quickly then visitors are very likely to leave and not return. For example, we try to get our pages to download in 15 seconds or less over a 56K modem. We ask the following questions to test this:
- Do pages load slowly or quickly?
- Are graphics and applications like search and multimedia presentations optimized for easy Web viewing?
- Prepare Resources ~ We develop content, Animation, and Graphics as well as use organizational aids.
- Develop Prototype ~ A prototype of the design will be developed by our designers to enable the client to understand the look and feel of the web site development. In many cases, our site prototype may include any of the following: the scheme, title, navigation, and site structure. The prototype not only provides a visual check of what the expectations are, but allows our design team to set the tone, check for accessibility, and determine whether the content and structure support the objectives.
- Review Prototype with Client ~ Our design team will provide the client with the prototype and the web design outline. The designers and the client will meet to discuss the prototype, to provide feedback, and required changes to the prototype.
- Prototype Needs Revision ~After listening and understanding all the feedback obtained at the prototype review, the project manager will prioritize the changes for the production staff. It should be noted that this prototype will be used during thedevelopment to ensure the consistency of the development process
- Prototype Approved ~ The designers and the client will meet to discuss the prototype changes. We are flexible since we recognize that project objectives sometimes change after the initial project development stage, so we will work with the client until the Prototype is acceptable.
- Produce the Full Site ~ Once the final prototype is approved, we finalize graphic design, integrate content, and perform browser, platform and content checks. Then we conduct bug checks and broken links checks.
Once Phase II is successfully completed, we proceed to Phase III. Please see Process for an overview of our entire procedure.
