Web Design

Source 1: https://ideas.msb.edu/blog/ricky-schramm/modern-web-design-more-about-consumers-and-less-about-conventions

Main Points

- Allow the user experience to guide all design, especially the site map

- Aesthetics are important for your brand and your business

- Surveys and beta testing are critical for eCommerce and multi-click web experiences

- Beauty lies in simplicity

Source 2: http://netaccountant.net/website-design-for-accountants/web-design-conventions/

Main Points

-Your logo should be at the top of the page… most likely on the left

-Your logo should link back to your homepage

-Links are underlined and in a different colour than the text

-Visited links are of a different colour than other links

-The navigation stands out and is consistent throughout the site

-Visitors can search your site

-Breadcrumbs are used somewhere near the top

-If something looks like a button, it should act like one

-Make form fields easily clickable

-Your website should be accessible with and without the www

Source 3: http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-design/current-style/

Main Points

-Simplicity and balance

-Centered Orientation

-Design the content, not the page

-Use 3-D effects sparingly

-Use soft neutral background colors

-Use strong colors sparingly

-Use cute icons sparingly

-Use plenty of whitespace

-Use large text

Source 4: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/03/23/best-practices-in-modern-web-design-the-ultimate-round-up/

Main Points

-Use hover effects

-Use lorem ipsum or other dummy text

-Use repetitive elements to make the web design more cohesive

-Make surte the purpose of your site is immediately apparent

-Optimize your page load times and make them as fast as possible

-Only be innovative when appropriate

Source 5: http://www.dailyblogtips.com/43-web-design-mistakes-you-should-avoid/

Main Points

- Do not use tiny fonts
- Do not use fancy, unreadable fonts
-Do not overuse flash
- Use text navigation
- Make sure your website is cross-browser compatible
- Do not use harsh colors
- Do not use popups
- Double check spelling and grammar

Favorite Sites:
Youtube.com
Facebook.com
Nastygal.com

All of these sites use muted colors, simple fonts, large text, and abundant white space. The don't over use flash player, involve pop-ups, or overuse cute icons. One Youtube, sometimes  audio plays upon entering the website; the website would be improved by making all audio user activated.

I like that my favorite websites are simple, organized and easily navigable.

Bad Websites:
http://art.yale.edu/
http://www2.warnerbros.com/spacejam/movie/jam.htm
http://www.www.blackbelttv.com/

Good Websites:
www.apple.com
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/default.aspx
http://www.walmart.com/

Animation

I preferred GIFs rather than stop motion. I liked how precise I could move the figures to create motion in my GIF. Taking precise photographs for stop motion was more difficult.

Growth

Shooting Butterflies

Picture Animation

Running Man!
https://vimeo.com/51935889

How to Carve a Pumpkin

Title: How to Carve a Pumpkin

https://vimeo.com/51002487

Contributers: Laura Spurger

Process: I acted in the video while my mom filmed it. This was a one-take video; during the process my mom moved around to get various shots. We experienced a few issues. There wasn't enough space on our memory card so we had to go to Walgreens before shooting to buy a new card. By the time we were prepared to shoot, it was late in the day and the position of the sun created awkward shadows on my face. To overcome this issue, we found some old lamps in the garage and placed them on and around the table I working on to properly light my face.

Effectiveness Comparison

I think the traditional lecture style video was more effective than the animated video. Although the animated video was amusing and kept my attention, it was not able to elaborate the main point as effectively. The lecture style video allowed the speaker a better platform to explain, discuss, elaborate, and even provide examples and real life application. I feel that I learned more from the lecture video than the animated video. 

Group Video: Dora and Diego

 Dora and Diego and the Cupcake Oasis

Team Members:
Pheba Thomas
Mario Camacho
Sarah Spurger
Diana Torres

https://vimeo.com/49777726






Dora is pregnant and craving cupcakes. Unfortunately, Diego has eaten the last one. Diego explains that there is a cupcake oasis nearby, and the map appears to give directions. However, the map provides very misleading directions, leaving Dora and Diego confused. Dora happens to see the cupcake oasis a little ways off in the distance. She heads of to the oasis and Diego follows behind.

I contributed to the video by filming and playing the role of "Map".

Camera Angles

Group Members:
Sarah
Diana
Pheba
Mario
Maury

Order of Angles:

Slanted
Birds Eye
Eye Level
Low Level
High Level


Each camera angle is posted and labeled on the website linked below.



https://vimeo.com/search?q=maury+moreno

Larger Than Life

This was composed using pictures from my family vacation.

Typography

Typography Examples

http://www.weheartit.com/

http://www.freelancewebdesigner.me/beautiful-typography-art-designs/

http://www.youthedesigner.com/

Texture

Disco Alien

If I were an alien....


I would live on a planet where all the inhabitants lived in trees and had disco parties every night...

Montage

Patchwork Faces Filters

Patchwork Faces Filters

Filter: Dr Brush

This filter contributed to the blending and helped the photo look more like a single piece rather than a patchwork of many faces.

 

Filter: Dark Stroke

This filter created a very interesting, gloomy effect while still maintaining some of the purple and yellow tones.

Filter: Rough Pastels

This filter made the face seem very delicate and added an interesting texture to the hair and background.

Patchwork Faces

Lion in the Grass

This is my first photoshop project. It's pretty elementary, but I'm sure I'll get better... eventually.

Real Life Balance

 Rule of Thirds

 Radial Balance

 Asymmetrical Balance

Symmetrical Balance

Balance

Radial Balance

Asymmetrical Balance

Symmetrical Balance

The Golden Ratio

Class Expectations

During the course of this class I hope to become more proficient with photo and video editing software. I want to learn how to photoshop more effectively primarily for artistic purposes. Furthermore, I want to learn to create videos that will be more efficient and interesting for class presentations and other communication opportunities. Lastly, I hope this course exposes me to useful and interesting websites for both learning and entertainment.