This week we began working on the code for the Apalachee Ridge Technology Learning Center’s website.  We created a basic template to use, closely mirroring the wireframe that we created.  We received a banner and content from Terrance and began going through it to determine what content belongs on what page.  I have already implemented all the content I have for the page I am in charge of developing.  We basically have all the pages ready to go, with the exception of the Donors page and some of the Home page.  During class lecture on Tuesday, we discussed the usability protocol assignment and discussed our prototype site with Ms. Lustria to find out if we needed any help with our project.  In class lecture on Thursday, we discussed the four basic principles of design (Proximity, Alignment, Repetition and Contrast), the importance of functionality, and how to successfully increase findability.  We also saw some examples of misleading design.  We ended class early because, there is an extra credit assignment which involves going to the Club Day event at Goldstein Library and writing some notes on the posters as well as acknowledging it in this blog, but unfortunately I have a class until 2pm.  This coming weekend we plan on finishing up our prototype, conducting the usability analysis and preparing for the presentation

Posted: November 20th, 2008 under Apalachee Ridge, Information Architecture.
Comments: none

This week our classes were cut short due to Veterans Day on Tuesday, November 11.  On Thursday, November 13, we had our final RAQ due, as well as a brief Survey regarding the Midterm Exam.  Ms. Lustria discussed her disappointment with the results of the Midterm and advised that we have two options about making up the score if we are not satisfied with our grade we received by either allowing us to participate in a “re-take” of the exam on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving or having a way to make up 20% of the grade.  We discussed the adjustments of due dates, moving the due date of the Draft Site to the November 20th so that the Web Critique could still be a factor in the creation process.  We also discussed the basics behind the Usability Protocol and began our lecture on “Usability for the Web.”  We went over, what usability is, why it is important, as well as the different studies done based on users reactions during usability.  We also discussed what usability is trying to measure and the difference between testing the site and the user.  This weekend, our team will be getting together to begin the coding for the website.

Posted: November 13th, 2008 under Apalachee Ridge, Information Architecture.
Comments: none