Graphic Design as Practice

The instructor gave a fast-paced presentation on graphic design as practice.   

•  Design
• Target audience - time sensitive, critical
• Appeal
• Marketing
• Structured
• Load quickly
• Color
• Avoid yellow
• Use complimentary colors - colors on opposite side of color wheel
• Use darker greens for text
• Use color to designate hierarchies
• Use consistent color throughout web site

• Standardize web pages
• Repeat info on each page in same area such as address, phone

• Images 
• Scale for web use so they are fast loading - do not make someone wait for something they do not want

• Goal is to keep person on web site for as long as possible in a good way
• Text
• Keep to a minimum, use Read More if necessary
• Use bullets
• Avoid long scrolls

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - searches web site for key words given in header and text, meta tags
• How to Design a website
• Use Z or GT (Golden Triangle) lay out - 1           2
• 3
•  

• other choices are Zig Zag 3 for F  1. - 2.
•                    3. - 4.
• Use upper left corner to display logo
• Phone on every page
• Keep navigation high on page
• Use designated space for things like
• Header, logo

• Font and color, use 12 pt so text site adjusts, helvetica, century schoolbook
• Use site standards
• Text made into image is unsearchable - keep text live so it is searchable

• Use Google Analytics
• Tells you what people are doing on your site

• Social Media
• Twitter - target audience 15-30 years
• Facebook - businesses

• Steps in Designing
• Appt
• Identify audience
• Help client identify what they can do for their customers and other critical ideas
• Identify a tag line
• Help optimize web site
• Help identify left navigation
• Who will maintain the web site
• DreamWeaver - more static, low maintenance
• Word Press - self manage

• Consider use of mail list managers
• Change things now and then
• Zones
• Avoid getting users lost or trapped on web site
• Expand on what is liked
• Dynamic - changing daily, hourly
• Open 24/7
• Judge book by its cover
• Consider a mobile site
• Don't list everything
• Hierarchy
• Different formatting
• Immediate

• Design Team
•  Client
• Designer
• Copywriter - goals, 400 words max, want know direction, what is competition
• Marketing - identify audience
• Photographer - good images, royalty fees; istockphoto.com, actiongraphicdesign.com
• Project manager - signed consent
• Google Analytics - update site, firm or client