The day of reckoning

Traditionally, a New Year's resolution is to reflect upon self-improvement and to set an annual goal, this year mine is ‘better time planning’. I really need to be committed to the initial production plan. After reading Unit 3 and A5 assignment sheets, I have identified a production plan that I will copy to my gantt chart. Completing at least five realistic targets each week should break the assignment into manageable sections. If I don’t stick to this, I know I will fall into my regular habit of getting side tracked into researching topics such as accessibility.

I prepared myself for failure yesterday. When I handed the assignment in I felt the amount of effort was worthy of a distinction, however, after a week of contemplation, I resided my thoughts to a pass. Monday, The day of reckoning, Steve and John assessed my feelings before concluding the meeting and rewarded my assignment with a distinction. I felt elated with the result, ‘a feeling equal to passing my driving test’.

Finally, I can begin to build a website rather than writing about it. I must admit writing is not something I enjoy. Hopefully by completing this assignment will dismay my new fear of creating an actual website. I feel apprehensive, yet excited at the prospect of building a website, will it work? what problems will I face?, and what dreaded frustrations will occur?. Aaahh!

First semester over!

With the first semester over, my writing skills have improved and I hope to gain web design experience next semester. Looking back through my weekly comments, I seem to have demonstrated an upbeat attitude balancing studies with a hectic lifestyle.

As an obsessive perfectionist, I feel that this personal attribute constantly drives me to achieving my full potential. Although, I am highly motivated individual my behaviour of late has become obsessively self-critical. Never did I expect the amount of work required in each assignment. The whole experience has been a rollercoaster of challengers, from presentations and assignments, to screen designs and written reports. Equally, I feel gratified that my efforts do not go unnoticed.

In conclusion, working through each of the assignments I have gained web design knowledge, a fundamental understanding of accessibility, usability and technologies that have supported my learning and will give me the necessary foundations for future projects.

Neither of the two assignments were completed smoothly, the second incurred several interruptions that have lead to an extension been granted. To successfully complete this assignment I am focusing on the whole project prior to evaluating improvements.

One important lesson I have learnt this semester is; ‘that it is important to do a good job, not my best job’. I will try and adopt this line of thought next semester. After looking out for different jobs across South Yorkshire I have reconsidered my position and realised that to avoid complications, I will stay with my current employer until the end of the course. Only when I have achieved the qualification and gained the essential web design knowledge/skills can I pursue my goal. My long-term aim was to eventually go freelance, however due to family commitments this is vast becoming a pipe dream.

Feel free to leave any suggested improvements

Please take the time to view my screen designs and suggest any improvements you would make.

BLUE


MIX


GREEN


If you feel a different colour scheme would be more appropriate, please suggest it. Otherwise vote for your favourite.

Thank you for your time looking at my screen designs.

Preoccupied by pastels

This week I concentrated my efforts in completing my delivery requirements and failed, probably due extensive research into web hosting and comparisons. However, I found a great web host by the end of it. I might even approach my current ISP madasafish.com to transfer my domain name. I would rather find out if I have any problems now rather than later.

The weekly tutorial outlined the areas I need to complete, which to be fair is the majority of the assignment. Thankfully, I have been granted the extension over the Christmas break. Navigation was discussed at my tutorial and the significance of using breadcrumbs. The term Breadcrumb, I feel must come from the story of Hansel and Gretel. While going through the forest, they left breadcrumbs on the way to remember the route. This feature would show the user their current position and allows them to backtrack through the listed links. I will learn more about ASP.NET, if I do decide to integrate it.

I have found myself preoccupied this week, trying to understand the really significant factors associated with pastel colours and old people. Eventually, I realised it is two factors, firstly they are calming and secondly these colours such as Pink, yellow, pale blue and green were fashionable during their teenage years. Deviating from my production plan cost me time in my last project; I really need to stop doing this if I am to keep on track of the assignment.

Disappointed with my current screen design, I feel much work is still required to improve it. I have come to the conclusion that a white background is essential and to avoid four columns if possible. However, I still believe colour coding will improve usability.

Target this week include:
1. Re-align my gantt chart to new deadline
2. Complete Delivery requirements and Competitive Analysis
3. Decide on a screen design and work it up electronically
4. Transfer Domain Name
5. Develop my screen designs further

Please feel free to comment

Since the content is divided into 4 equal sections of 10 terms the design should be straightforward. However, in comparison to print production more restrictions are applied to web design. Not only do I have to give the site an appropriate name, but I am also required to make sure that the final design is something I will be able to create, given the fact I have no pervious knowledge or experience using Dreamweaver. Yesterdays tutorial confirmed many of my initial thoughts and the realisation to avoid anything too complicated like rollovers and drop downs.

With the content complete and the domain name decided as "www.alivenclickin.co.uk" the next stage is to create a design solution. After four initial attempts, I feel confident that my final design is ideal. Although I still have reservations over the positioning of the photographs, colours and typefaces. To develop my design further, please feel free to comment the design below:

Hopefully with your help I will be able to improve this initial screen design, which will allow me to concentrate my efforts to the other parts of this assignment.

On the 18th Day of Christmas…

I keep on telling myself it is not December yet, however I realise it is very close. Come December the Christmas countdown will occur until submission day. After rewriting my to do list to Father Christmas submission, I am still deliberating over the thoughts of a time extension.

With only a few terms away from completing the content for A3, I hope to finish it by tomorrow. I realise that my original plan was to post the thumbnail screen designs today, but it will now be next week. So, watch this blog!

I suddenly have more responsibility

Over the past week, my whole world has altered and I suddenly have more responsibility, this has consequently affected my production plan. I originally estimated that I would complete an explanation for at least five technical terms in three hours. Following my initial attempt, I realised this target is unachievable. One hour per technical term is a more realistic amount of time required; therefore I need to realign the production plan.

Logistically this week has been difficult to do any work, due to limited computer access. For this reason I started writing the content for the website in my sketchbook.

This coming week, I plan to:

• Complete the delivery requirements, making sure that I have a more in-depth web hosting comparison;
• Complete the content sections;
• Complete the Target audiences;
• Continue to collect images associated with the technologies;
• Start the competitive analysis.