Reading List 2

Grid Design
Five simpleways to design grid systems
An application of the grid
A showcase of grid design

Color
Photographic palettes
Color Lovers
A color resource from Adobe

Technical Tip #1: Registering your domain name

Is your desired name available? Check It Here!
If it is...keep reading.

It's always a safe bet to choose a company that ranks high in reviews for domain registration. Some are better than others, and none are perfect.

When choosing a host or domain service provider, look to see if they offer the following (they should be listed under "Services"):
Multiple email addresses
FTP Transfer
Lots of space for content
Lots of "Bandwidth"
PHP
MySQL / Databases (Important for Wordpress)


GO to these sites to register your domain:
http://tigertech.net/
http://www.bluehost.com * With this one, you must buy the domain and hosting at the same time..a good all in one solution
http://www.pair.com/

DO NOT go to these sites as they are very bad
GoDaddy
ENOM
MidPhase
Network Solutions (Not bad for checking domains though)

Enjoy!

Assignment 2: Due September 15

Assignment 2a: Suggested for all Graphic Design majors

• Choose a restaurant or store that is in need of a redesign.
• Make a list of the pages on your new site (this can include some new pages if you feel any topics are missing). With the pages, create a sitemap for the new site.
• Create wireframes for the homepage and one internal page. The sitemap may look similar to the existing architecture (hopefully with some tweaks!), but the wireframes should suggest new ways of presenting the information and navigation more clearly.

Assignment 2b: For Illustration and Photography majors

• Research other portfolio sites.
• Make a list of all the pages you would want on your own site. With these pages, create a sitemap.
• Once the sitemap is complete, create wireframes for the homepage and a page in the portfolio section of you site.

There will be a working session for the second part of Wednesday's class. On Monday the 15th, please bring printouts of your map and wireframes for a class discussion.

Reading List 1

Following is a list of websites that go over sitemaps and/or wireframes.

Redesigning the ExpressionEngine Site
Goes over how various stages of wireframing led to a final design.

Information Architecture Deliverables and Diagrams
Goes over information architecture deliverables and links to some pdfs of both sitemaps and wireframes.

Design Effective Navigation in 10 Steps
Somewhat useful tips. Don't pay too much attention to #5 if you have a great idea!

Where are I?
Another take on navigation tips.

Sitemaps
A pretty outdated site, but wanted to show you the 3-d version of a sitemap.

Websites

Portfolio Site - http://www.ledouxville.com/site/index.php

Restaurant Site - http://www.fivefifty-five.com/

Web 2.0 Site - http://www.youtube.com/

Assignment 1: Due September 8

Assignment 1a. It is so good to see someone posted their three links to the blog! I completely dropped the ball in posting a post that you all can reply to. For the rest of the class who has not posted their three links, please reply to this post, and share your three links. A portfolio site, a restaurant or e-commerce site, and a Web 2.0 site.

Assignment 1b. Choose a restaurant, e-commerce, or portfolio site as your first project. Research a bunch of this type of site, and come to class tomorrow with a list of all the pages you want on your site.

Assignment 1c. Bring in 3 samples from your portfolio. These are just to give me an idea of how to break up the class for the final assignment.

3 websites

Portfolio site : www.darrenbooth.com

Restaurant site : www.brownsugarcafe.com

community site : www.imeem.com