Florida Atlantic Florida Atlantic UniversityUniversity

Designing Web Sites at…Designing Web Sites at…

1999

Presented by Administrative Technology SystemsFinancial Affairs

Quick DefinitionsQuick Definitions html - the coding used for web design gif or jpg - the image format used on the web java - special programming used for unique

features frames - a special layout - example - a menu on the

side would be one page and the content a second page. They scroll independently of one another

applet - a small java program server - the computer where the pages reside url - Uniform Resource Locator - or the site address

Preliminary QuestionsPreliminary Questions

Who is the targeted audience?• A site designed for students should have a

different look from one designed for faculty or for the outside community

What is the purpose of the site?• Is it to recruit new students, impart research

information, promote a college program, assist in administrative duties, etc.

Preliminary PlanningPreliminary Planning

Once the audience and purpose is decided upon, then visualize the right look and layout of the site.

For multiple page sites, create an outline of main topics and sub topics.

Preliminary Planning Preliminary Planning Cont.Cont.

Prepare the textGather the imagesFinalize the outline of topicsA site should be a cooperative effort between the developer and the department

Preliminary Design Preliminary Design ProcessProcess

Is your site going to be a “Frame” layout?

What is the color scheme?Will it contain “Java”?Will it contain audio/visual?

Use Caution in The Design Use Caution in The Design ProcessProcess

The site should not be a showcase for the developer’s programming knowledge at the expense of it being - • Useful• Easy on the Eyes• Easy to navigate• Quick to load

Use Caution in The Design Use Caution in The Design ProcessProcess

Repeat - The purpose of the site should not be a showcase for the developer’s knowledge• The latest features in web design may be

awe inspiring - but - a large percentage of the audience will never see it because they don’t have the latest browser version that will handle it. Instead it will slow down the loading, give strange results - or - even freeze up the system

Be Kind to Your Viewers!

The Design ProcessThe Design Process

As the site is being developed, have several people view it

View it on different systems using different browsers• Different computers, monitors, screen

resolutions, browsers, browser versions, and defaults, can all produce different - and unexpected - results!

The Design ProcessThe Design ProcessKeep It Interesting!

• Make text easy to read, current, informative and keep it to a minimum - use bullet points with a link or a means to request detailed information

Use Images and Animation - but…• don’t overuse - it will slow down the loading

process and detract from the message

The Design ProcessThe Design Process

Easy Navigation - a “must” on large sites• Many sites use a side navigation bar

or menu• Another option is a link to a site index• Users will not spend time trying to

find what they are looking for• Several short pages are better than

one lengthy page

The Design ProcessThe Design Process

What every FAU Site should contain• A link back to the FAU Home Page• An e-mail link and/or phone number to obtain

more information• The date of creation or revision• The developer’s name

IRM’s site on web design• http://www.fau.edu/wise/publish.html

YOU HAVE A SITE - now YOU HAVE A SITE - now what?what?

Keep the information currentPeriodically check links Occasionally give it a new look

Ask for feedbackPromote it -

• Put the address on your letterhead, business cards, e-mail signature, brochures, press releases, etc

Site LimitationsSite Limitations

There are many limitations imposed due to html and individual systems … but don’t let your imagination limit you on what you want to present to the world

Useful FAU SitesUseful FAU Siteswww.fau.eduwww.fau.edu

Index of Content • On the FAU Home Page, scroll down to Index

Faculty/Staff Directory & Index• On the FAU Home Page, click on People

Administrative Tools• Go to http://www.fau.edu/admin/tools.htm

Thank YouThank You

This presentation has been brought to you by Administrative Technology

Systems Dennis Crudele, Associate Vice President Dr. Rosanna Star Berzok, Director Dianne Parkerson, Assistant Director

Visit our web site at -http://www.fau.edu/admin/technology/

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