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Parkland College > Fine &
Applied Arts > Graphic
Design | Web
Design >
GDS 215 WEB DESIGN III
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Objective |
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To be introduced to the principles of Flash Web site design. To communicate ideas visually and verbally. To conceptualize visuals based on content. To review design principles and typography systems as it relates to interactive experience for the end user. |
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Secondary objective |
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To utilize Adobe Photoshop and Flash as layout and production tools.
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Description |
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Design and produce an interactive brochure for a tourist destination or travel industry business (resort, spa, tours, etc.) in Flash. The site must have a front page and at least 4 inside pages. The site must be tested in both Netscape and Internet Explorer on both Mac and Windows platforms. Your design must show an understanding of unity, emphasis, balance and color. When appropriate, utilize rhythm and depth as well.
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Procedure |
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1. RESEARCH FOR INSPIRATION: Research award-winning Flash web sites. Be sure to review trade publications (Print, How, Communication Arts, Yahoo Internet Life), books, annuals as well as the Internet Resources page. Look at navigation as well as design. Look for interactive elements, such as rollover buttons. What design principles are at work here? Scan/bookmark pages that have innovative artwork and/or navigation schemes. Collect and publish your favorites on your projects page. At our research critique, present your research in class (on screen). Be prepared to explain why these examples are successful. 2. MARKETING RESEARCH: Research the destination/business you will be designing the site for. What is their unique selling points? Who is their target audience? Who is their competition? Do they have an existing web site? Acquire a reproduction quality logo and copies of printed promotions (if possible). Analyze your research and write a written statement of objectives in the form of a memo (see sample brief). 3. INCUBATION: Absorb the information you have gathered and sleep on it. Allow your unconscious mind to make connections for you. 4. DEVELOP THE CONCEPT: In your sketchbook begin to conceptualize ideas for this project (see sample thumbnails). Make at least 10 sketches of all possible directions you might take this project. Draw exactly how you intend to present both your front page as well as one sample inside page. Edit your concepts down to your best three ideas and redraw them inside a browser window (download PDF file of a blank browser window) using a felt tip pen. Rough out site maps (download examples of site maps) as needed to explain your navigation scheme. Test how successful your concepts are by presenting them in class for critique. Be prepared to talk about your message as well as how your message fulfills the objectives. 5. EXECUTION: Based on the critique of the above, prepare a prototype "mock-up" of two sample screens in Adobe Photoshop which will indicate the "look and feel" of the site (one front page and one inside page). Place your art inside a blank browser window (download layered PSD file with various browser windows). Print out your prototype screens in b&w and be prepared to talk about how the design principles of unity, emphasis and balance are utilized in your layout. 6. PORTFOLIO PREPARATION: Based on the critique of the above, produce a fully functional site in Flash. Publish your site and link to it from your projects page. Present your finished site on screen for critique. Prepare a presentation to "sell" your design to the client. If necessary, make refinements until you are 100% satisfied with the project. Be sure to save all your files for future editing. Note: the student work URL for this class is:
The login is "gds215students"; the password is "••••••••"
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Schedule |
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See Calendar.
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______________________________ Last updated: 1/10/04 • Webmaster: Paul Young
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