Web Design Student
Millikin University

Sarah Johnson

Learning Review

User Knowledge
In entering this class, I had very little user knowledge. I knew how to do simple things such as point and click; however, as far as computer terminology, historical background in how/why the computer was developed, and insider tips on how to work Dreamweaver 8 in creating my own website, I knew nothing. As the course progressed, my skills also progressed. I learned the difference between HTML and XHTML (the "X" duh!...haha j/k)...Extensible Hyper Text Markup Language. I learned what the significance of code was in working with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to form a uniform style or class across the board for a website. I learned how to develop internal and external formats and codes to develop consistency among pages and how to use absolute links to connect other webpages to your own. Overall, I have learned a great deal from this class in understanding how to create a simple website.

Design Knowledge
Taking for granted the easy accessibility of websites, I soon realized that websites are created in various ways and in various formats to engage a specific audience. Logos are normally in the upper left hand corner, and many sites have 2 navigation bars, one along the top and one on the side. Padding, size and spacing are also significant in the readability and clearness on a page. The use of tables can also help in defining boundaries on a page, and the design overall can attract different types of audiences (Beaver, Otter, Lion, Golden Retriever). Overall, keeping in mind your audience can alter the way a webmaster designs the specific website.

Project Development Knowledge

Working with various types of people is important within any profession; therefore, it was great to get to work with classmates with various personalities, work ethic, and skills. Working with Jae and Katy, I realized that when team members schedule meeting times and places that is does not always work out no matter what he/she may say. Therefore, flexibility and patience is extremely important in working with a wide array of people. Also, in working with Jim, I learned that there can be various types of Webmasters, including Content Webmasters and Design Webmasters. And no matter what areas each person works in, everyone still has the opportunity to put in an equal amount of work. It is a great lesson for everyone to work with at least one person that they don't particularly get along with in order to develop skills that they will use in the future when working with people that they are not compatible with. I have always seen group work as this: you are never going to get along with everyone, everyone has different work/leadership styles, and you don't have to be best friends with everyone in the group, you just have to be able to work in a professional setting with them.

Tutoring Knowledge
Although I realize did not have the most tutoring knowledge to give to others. I tried my best to be helpful to those who asked me questions. I assisted Krista quite a bit when we would work in the HOT book on chapters. It definitely made me feel good to be able to help someone else with the little knowledge that I had myself. It was also very humbling to be able to receive help from such knowledgable people in our class like Jim Thompson. I really enjoyed his tutorial on how to use Photoshop and Imageready to create sections within a webpage and cut slices to make a more professionally designed website.

Thanks!
Sarah K Johnson

Hands On Training Tutorial Responses

Client Case Debriefing

Overall, Jim told me to draw onto paper what I envisioned for the website. He came up with the banner and format, based upon other successful election websites. Our vision was turned into reality with Jim's design ability. Our main technical focus of the website involved keeping a simple/easy-to-use format for the page. We decided on having a navigation bar at both the top and bottom, as well as multiple ways to return to the homepage.We also wanted to utilize other websites to give more detailed information, while providing our own accessible baseline election information, which is where active links came into play. Interactivity for our site included the winking eagle in our banner, YouTube links, the discussion board, and the lightboxes. Using both graphics, text, lightboxes, and tables to form boundary and definition within our website, we were able to create an interactive, informative, yet easy-to-use website for the 2008 Presidential Election. The overall design format is uniform within every page as to not confuse our audience. And a map with voter registration information per state, and a sample registration form are given as added visuals/information for the general public/student. Our focus was more on appealing to all audiences, rather than just specifically the student audience.

Client Case Plans

The Washington Post website presents the candidates with thumbnail pictures as well as various demographic information about each candidate, and then as the audience member you have the choice to click to read more or view more information. Therefore, they outsource you to other links or information on the site. I like the look of this layout, due to being able to view all the candidates on one page and then making a choice on whether you want more information or not. The navigation is at the upper portion of the page, however, considering all the information that could be included, I feel as though more navigation for election information could have been included on a sidebar.

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/

In looking over this website, the navigation is a little overwhelming and could potentially read a little clearer were the font increased in size. Also, there is a lot of white space in the main information area, where maybe some of the MANY links could be reorganized in a clearer, more specific manner. There is no enterainment or interactive value (pictures, etc...on the home page) besides clicking links or searching, therefore, it is a very information based site.

http://www.vote-smart.org/election_president.php

The website sited below is a great website due to its organization of information and easy navigation system. However, the orientation in the site could use some assistance. In looking at the site from various user views, it is very information filled, rather than entertainment filled. The preview before views are pretty explicit however the information is a little overwhelming as far as the presentation to the audience.

http://www.presidentialelection.com/

Chapter 10

Chapter 10 gave several simple layout techniques in order to fashion a website to be formatted in a printable form, considering that the World Wide Web provides spatial benefits to the creator of various websites. Updating and following the Dreamweaver instructions is tending to become easier and easier; however retaining all of the information may end up being my downfall. There is SO MUCH information that I feel like I am forgetting a few of the minor details. And considering the code is getting more detailed it is more difficult to figure out where you have made a mistake, or how to adjust your code to make is uniform across pages, while not taking out something important.

Chapter 9

Learning how to layer is a very functional skill to use when creating a website to give stronger definition to certain areas within a webpage as well as create greater boundaries within different sections. Learning various ways to create tables was also interesting in seeing how easily other files can be inserted into tables to create a navigation bar. Overall, it is a simple, functional way to create an easy layout for a new website/webpage.

Chapter 8

Chapter 8 had a lot of good organizational tips as far as forming more structure and boundary within a webpage. Also the formatting and rounding the corners of tables was also helpful for me. I like the rounded edged feel because I think it takes away the harsh style from a webpage in having more of a circular design. Overall, I am really starting to pick up on all of the CSS stuff for the most part, which I have found, if used correctly can be a great asset in creating a website with uniform format and style.

resume critique

Here are two men's resumes for Public Relations:

I like the format of the page, however I find it unnecessary to place a picture on the left hand side. Maybe a little more preview before view could be written as well

http://www.davidsouthgate.com/resume.html

This resume is plain and simple, easy to read. I appreciate the format, easy to read text/size and the simplicity.

http://www.comptond.com/dcresume.html

Exchange Design Review

Katy Cryn's bookmarks case

Orientation

Purpose:
Poor description to orient reader as to what the page contains

Organization:
Organized in a clean and simple way.
Headings with links below, however, once again, no description of each link as to what the websites contain for those that may visit the site without have previous knowledge

Navigation

Preview before View:
No anchors have yet been placed in order to direct the target population to specific areas within the bookmarks page.
No descriptions to direct audience as to where the link will be taking them.

General Design

Interest:
Simple design makes the page visually easy on the eyes
Maybe use more graphics or details to keep audience's attention

Voice:
Her voice does not come out within the page…no description

Knowing her…her page could definitely take on much more of her character through the use of font, color, graphics, etc.

Colors:
The colors are good as to what they differentiate within the page. 
Colors are consistent: blue for links; purple for sentences; green for heading
Soothing colors; however I think colors could be used more effectively to draw the audience into her webpage

Contrast:
The contrast between the faded background color and the text is good
Differentiation between different forms of text is also decent

Readability:
Everything can be clearly read; however once again, for the average audience member viewing this page, very little orientation ("summary of what things are") is given. Clear use of font type and size

Legibility:
Clear use of font type and size
Clear use of spacing between links and headings

Overall Added Value:
If I had a scale from 1-10 (10 being the highest score)…I would rate this page a 5. It definitely has great potential…but is still on its way as far as development goes.

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 was very interesting. I am starting to get the hang of things. I understand now that format is linked to Tag in CSS Rules, and styles are linked to class. I enjoyed seeing how a webpage could be formatted, and especially how flash text can be inserted into a page. It's exciting to start getting a little past the basics to discover new ways of doing things that are "shortcuts" for longer processes.

Chapter 6

Learning how to cascade styles, fonts, pictures, and formats to other pages was a very exciting area within web design. I enjoyed Chapter 6 because it provided me with a challenge in understanding the terminology and applying the step-by-step instruction to what the web page. However, once again, I am a little worrisome that I may not remember how to complete the process within CSS without the book to aid me. I am learning a vast amount of information; however, I find it very complicated, almost too complicated for a novice “Dreamweaver 8 user.” And although I am doing well at following the book’s instruction, I would like to inquire more as to what the meaning is behind each step.

A Favorite Website:

Web Address: http://www.utd-erau.org
Site About: I wanted to send you the link to my favorite website. This is a website created by one of my friends, Kevin, who attends Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). He created the site for Up Til Dawn on their campus. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this site. I think that in creating it, he definitely thought about his target audience. The transitions into new pages within the website, and the creative design are truly what astound me! He not only created the website, but also created the logo. I see this website as being viewed by a great number of students and those involved in Up Til Dawn. It is interactive, entertaining, informative, and has a musical background. I vote this website my top choice for easy-accessibility, creativeness, and retention in its audience.

"Site Analysis"
Web Page Analysis
http://www.utd-erau.org

Up 'Til Dawn - ERAU

Orientation. My initial impression of the site was that it was very impressive as far as technical aspects and programs used in designing the web page. However, the orientation to new users in knowing what Up 'Til Dawn stands for is not clear with the home page. The exploratory and navigation tools are very well designed. It is an easily accessible website that is simple in its visual aspect. Each specific navigation bar is highlighted when the mouse rolls over it. The website does not provide good perspective as to the size of the organization and what it stands for, in being a well-known and established collegiate fundraising organization across the nation. Overall, this website is useful for those users that have previous knowledge as to what the organization entails; however, it is weak in orientation for those viewers that are unfamiliar with Up 'Til Dawn or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.   

Navigation. The navigation tools are very simple and easy to use. This page has very simple links, with very entertaining transitions for the web user. It is creative in its set-up, design, and color, and would definitely keep a web user's attention for an extended period of time. It is crisp in its set-up and maintains the same logo in the upper left hand corner, as do most websites. I believe it is strategically set up for the average American web user.

Interactivity. The interactivity of the web page makes you feel involved as a user. The movement within the transitions between relative links within the page, involve many graphics and various video-like aspects. It not only entertains the viewer, but also educates the viewer on the progress that Embry-Riddle's Up 'Til Dawn has made. However, in looking from a different viewpoint, the website could be more interactive, but in doing so, one must consider the target population that will be viewing the site. Therefore, I think this website was well-done considering the population of Up 'Til Dawn members that would be viewing it.

Chapter 5

Chapter 5 was fun because in using the Point to File function, you were able to visually see what files you were linking to your website headings. I am starting to enjoy using the computer, which I never thought I would say. I must say that I still need to catch up on the technical terminology for everything, but I hope that throughout the semester as we continue doing practice exercises that I will pick up on it more quickly. Forming e-mail links and anchoring different titles is a quick and easy way for the target audience of your website to accessibly focus on certain areas, or send an e-mail with a click of the mouse.

I am very EXCITED about this class now that I am picking up on things. Thank you Professor Brooks!

Chapter 4

Chapter 4 definitely made me very excited about creating my own webpage. I was excited to learn an easier way to insert images and items onto a webpage when the format is already laid out. I was also very interested in creating <meta> tags in order to tell the search engine how to find the webpage. I had never done that before. I was extremely enthralled with this chapter, and I believe I comprehended more. Setting up links was a new endeavor for me as well, and it is neat to see all the different ways you can accomplish a single task on Dreamweaver 8.

Chapter 3

In working on Chapter 3 in the HOT Book today, it was very easy to follow the laid out instructions and the visuals; however, I found that I did not think that I gained confidence in my competence level. I feel as though I would have to review the steps given repeatedly in order to get something out of the chapter. I hope that as we continue in the book that I will catch on to the whole process and be able to create a decent web page that I can be proud of using Dreamweaver 8.

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 seemed more of a "How To/Where to Find" type chapter. I was very happy with all of the visuals. I am a visual learner; therefore, it is easier for me to be able to not only read instructions, but also to see a picture of where to find things, especially when working on a computer. I have always thought of myself as being incompetent in using technology of any sort; I hope that this class will provide me with a stronger confidence and desire to learn more about technological advances, and how to use different computer programs when acquiring a job within my area of interest. I also hope that this class will provide me with the skills to teach others how to use different programs, so that I can help spread computer competency with my colleagues.

Chapter 1

1. On Dreamweaver 8, how would you combine an animation with a hyperlink to bring up new information within the same website?

2. How would I graphically create a new logo on Dreamweaver and then place it on every page of my website to begin branding for my student organization?

3. What does the Fireworks program entail and is it difficult to use for a novice computer user?

** JUST A NOTE: IN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH OF THE BOOK THE ACRONYM WYSIWYG IS WRITTEN INCORRECTLY AS WYSIWIG. ** very wiggy!

Within Chapter 1, I was quite overwhelmed with all of the information that was presented with being a novice computer user. I was also very anxiety-filled on whether or not I would be able to understand the computer terminology in the text; however, the way that the information was presented was very comprehensive and easy-to-understand. I can definitely see the benefits of using XHTML rather than HTML now, and I understand some of the computer acronyms. For the average college student, I can see where this book would be an extremely useful tool; however, in considering all populations I would be hesitant in having high hopes that all levels of computer users would be able to utilize Dreamweaver 8 to its fullest extent after reading this book.