web page draft/ chapter 6






Chapter 6: Start Communicating

1.) Page footers, body text, links, navigation systems, images, site id's, and forms all have different hierarchial functions on a web page and should be presented accordingly.

2.) The constraints of the web should not limit a designer but rather force them to become creative and solve the problem in their own unique fashion.

3.) A well presented navigation highlights the designers personality but also does not influence or effect the site's basic design.

4.) By keeping the navigation as clean and simple as possible it eliminates the visual noise that could slow the user's movement throught the page.

5.) By keeping the navigation bar on the side of every page, it allows the user to move freely when they are finished with one section but does not distract them from the page's content.







My web page:

Chapter 5: who are you? get a personality

1.)Media applications have distinct characteristics that combine to form a web site's personality. This personality is important because it responsible for the initial reaction of the viewer.

2.) A site's personality is defined by the designer's color choices, type choices, and images.

3.) A site has a personality even if it was not the designer's intent to create one.

4.) A professional site design has the ability to sell the product endorsed without having to textually convince the audience of its worth.

5.) Once the target audience is defined, the designer must then create the site's personality based on what they would like to see and what will invoke them to return.

6.) A unique site personality is one of the most important aspects of its creation. A unique design will help the page stand out against the millions of others on the web.

7.) The audience's first impression is very important because it is when they decide if they want to look further or go somewhere else. The design must invite and engage the viewer.

8.) Colors elicit certain reactions and are important when defining a site's personality.

9.) When deciding on color combinations, it is important to choose one main color as the dominant color for the page. There should not be colors "competing" for attention because it will distract from the main focus of the page.

10.) Typefaces can describe the mood of the page whether it be aggressive, with bold letters or mellow with smooth characters.

Chapter 4


1.) It is important that the images on a web page are not only attractive but help convey the message of the site. They should initially engage the user and eventually direct them to the information provided. This allows for less time spent navigating and more time spend learning the site's purpose.

2.) Visual organization is accomplished by consistant color choices, a simple navigation style, and textual hierarchy.

3.)Visual weight highlights important information through the use of bold colors and large shapes. The user's eye is immediately drawn to the larger, more intensely colored elements first. Through a scaling down process of shapes, the less important information is seen based on their appearance.

4.)For a site to be distinushable it is important for a designer a consistant style throughout their page. Through the unified graphical elements, a page becomes more easily identifiable.

5.) The use of white space is an easy way to keep important information highlighted. It gives the text "room to breath" and helps it stand out from the rest of the page.

Chapter 3


1.) Technical details are an important factor when designing a web page. If these details are not considered the site may not function properly which could lose a user's interest when browsing the page.

2.) To keep the audience's attention when accessing a site it is important to rememeber to optimize download times, create scannable pages, and minimize complex interactions. This will keep their focus on the information on the page and not on the amount of time they are waiting to recieve it.

3.) The content order of appearance is important during the download period of a site. Put the most visualy stimulating images and most important information first. This will keep the user entertained while the rest of the site is processing.

4.) It is also important to tell the user how much time is left in the download or why they could not reach a certain section of the page. This keeps the communication between designer and user strong a gives the user a full understanding of when the information will be presented.

5.) Using the unified model of the web when designing a page will keep the user comforable because it is something that they have used before and it will allow them to navigate through the site with ease.

Mission Satement: Atlantic Freedom Tour


The Atlantic Freedom Tour website will allow it's viewers a first-hand look at the daily life of those aboard the Amistad. This will be obtained through an easy-to-navigate page which will hold daily blogs of the participating students, a virtual webcam, and an in-depth narrative of the trip's initial goals. Information will be presented through a series of the tabs marking each port the ship will dock. The user will learn the historical importance of each port and the individual experiences of those involved. The webpage's main objective is to engage the user's interest by having a constant flow of new information each day with pictures and film to accompany it.