Visual Design

Visual Design: Step 3

Using and implementing the information from Site Definition step one and Organize Information step two, I create drafts, (sometimes called roughs, proofs or comps) which are original work that visually show what your new web site might look like. These drafts are revised until a visual design direction is established.

Design specifications that will make up all web pages on your site, are decided on and chosen in this step. Design specifications such as typography, navigation icons like menu bars, headers, footers, buttons and backgrounds are designed at this stage. These design specifications are the visual elements that give your web site its unique look.

Versions of the design can be viewed from the web on the this web site located on the clients page. Changes will be made according to your feedback, which is a critical part of this process. Timely feedback will keep the creative process dynamic and on track.

Major text or content is provided by the client in finalized form. The editing of small amounts of text however, is acceptable. Detailed page samples or drafts are submitted for your approval and include a home page and secondary page with the navigation structure in place.

It is normal to go through up to three revisions to establish a design direction, for your web site. This is usually done with the home page and one other supporting page. Once the design direction is established and approved of by you, it important to follow through using the approved of design direction on all pages. Excessive revisions are to be avoided, and will accrue expense. Changing the design direction, at this point will also be costly.

As the design will be carried through the entire web site, design changes are not allowed once it is uploaded and delivered. Text and content changes to maintain and update the web site are normal and encouraged, and is considered part of your responsibility to maintain your new web site.

All illustrations, photography and audio visual media, such as Flash are created, finalized and ready to be put in the html files during this step. Any media which is not provided by you, and has to be created by me is billed or negotiated as part of the web design contract agreement.

It is the responsibility of the client to provide the written and visual material for the designer to work with. I can scan hard copies, offer writing suggestions and make minor changes to images provided. There is a separate fee for the designer to create original logos, illustrations and photographs that are used exclusively on your web site.

When the design direction is finalized and all media and written content has been gathered in Visual Design or step three, we move on to Site Construction step four. This is the point in the process, where I build the actual html files using html code.

Outline of *sequential steps for designing a web site

1. Site Definition -defining and planning your web site

2. Organize Information -identifying content and structuring information

3. Visual Design -graphic design, images, illustrations, photographs

4. Site Construction -software choices, html and test files

5. Site Marketing - determined by the Client

6. Delivery - uploading html files to your server

*steps may be repeated and revisited as the web site develops

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	"Design is everything. Everything!" ~Paul Rand, Graphic Designer