EVALUATION

Tb2 - Evaluationxxx

KINGSTON GO - RESPONSIVE WEBSITE

The images below show that the website is responsive on a Mac, PC, iPad and iPhone.

http://gokingston.co.uk

From this bit of coding that makes the website responsive, the audience can use the actual site on-the-go from their phones or iPads. Even when they are home they can use the PC or Mac. It also shows that the coding can help with the changing of size and design layout on whatever device is being used. 

LAYOUT OF OTHER PAGES

The first image is of the homepage, and what the users firsts sees is a large image of the riverside at Kingston along with the "K-GO" logo in a faded white, simple font. This tells the viewer what the website and the bar at the top has all relevant pages for the user to look around the website. Also, the font is simple and in a teal like the bar at the top, and this is seen throughout the website. And I like at how we placed the teal against the white, keeping it simple and minimalistic. 

Another page on the website is the 'about' page. Here the layout has changed slightly but not too much, as the user knows that all pages interlink with each other on design and navigation. There is a teal bar at the top with the "K-GO" logo in it and underneath are the page names again in the teal colour and simple font. From this it keeps the branding all together for the website. Also, on this page we describe as group why we created the page and that we hope it is useful for the users, making it personal. Again the text is in a simple, black font making it easier on the users eyes and almost reinforces that the information is given straight away.

Again, the pages of 'entertainment' and 'history',have had the same teal bar and "K-GO" as the other pages to keep with the branding of the site. Also, on these pages there are images of the things you can do, making it visual engages the user more and they are more intrigued to look at what there is too. 

FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN DESIGN

From the previous comments of the presentation and during the time of making the website live on the internet, there were a few further changes in the layout and style of the website.
Firstly, the colour of a teal was kept the same but the style of the font and the placing of it had to change. The original layout didn't sit right on the web page, so there had to be a few adjustments. The name of the pages had to lay under the banner with the logo, as in the previous design it was in the actual bar and the white text couldn't be seen well. So it changed to be under the bar, in the teal colour and in the simple ariel font, so it is readable. 














The image above, shows the "about" page on the website, and it shows at how making the style changes made the site look a lot cleaner and minimalistic for the audience to read. Also, the use of the simple font gives the information to the viewer straight away and gets to the point, while the layout still looks appealing. 

PROGRESS PRESENTATION

Link to Progress Presentation - 

http://prezi.com/h1l89tfoignz/go-kingston/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

As a group we had to present our progress of the website to fellow peers, and this allowed us to get feed back and improve the site further. Overall, the feedback was positive and many liked how the design side had changed over time, due to not looking right on the screen and just for personal reasons. Also, some like the actual concept of the website, as many felt that they didn't know what was in and around Kingston, so they felt that they can easily relate to it. 
Although, some did give pointers of development, some suggested to change the font just to make it more readable and easy on the eye. Also, some suggested that we test that the site is responsive on all mediums, and if not how could we fix it?
Overall, comments/feedback was ok, but there is more work to be done. 

UPDATED LAYOUTS

Looking at the previous website homepage, personally I feel that it wasn't working and didn't look right when on the computer screen. So I decided to change the homepage, but keep with the logo and colour scheme previously used.

From the old design there was not much going on, on one page, and it became to busy and messy for the user to look at. So, keeping with blues/greens, I decided to use one large image of Kingston and cover it in lime green box, and reduce the opacity, so it creates a nice fade on the image.

Secondly, I wanted to keep the text/content as minimal and simple as possible, because as a group we wanted to give the information to the user right away and make it easy for them to use the site. However, I have done a number of different versions and as a group we still need to decide on a final design, but I feel that these versions of the homepage have improved from the beginning of designs. 

WEBSITE LOGO

 

This is the final logo of the website. 

Looking at the previous logos I had designed, and the main focus of the website as a group we wanted to keep things simple and make it easy for the viewer to read. 
With the logo I decided to keep the text in a simple font as it gets straight to the point and tells the user exactly what this site is about. The name is "K-GO", which stands for Kingston Go, and shortening down the name further reaches the audience of male/female students as they all mostly use social media and they create a lot of abbreviations on the content they write. Also, the colour of the dark, mint green against the white text works well, as I feel the colour isn't to bright or dull, and plus it isn't gender set, so reaches a wider user-ship. Lastly, stated earlier on, the group still wanted the shape of an arrow within the site, so the use of the arrow in the logo allowed this. Even with the text and arrow the logo is kept simple, clean and easy to read, and keeping it minimal makes it more interesting for the user and would make them want to explore the site some more. 

PRODUCTION

The programs I used for designing the website was Illustrator and Photoshop. Before doing the design for this website, I did have previous skills in these programs, and I feel doing this I was able to develop them skills. Using these programs to design the layouts/logos allowed me to create what me and the group wanted, and it was easy to convert for the programmer of the group to put the designs into the website program. 

 

PROBLEM WITH APP

In the proposal as a group we stated that we wanted to create an app, as this would reach the target audience of university students rapidly. Especially  as in todays society most young people have a mobile phone, so if they want too look at the app we create its possible. 
However, the group done some deeper research into the into app creation, and the only problem that arose wasn't creating the program, but was getting the end product onto iTunes. We found out that it would cost a lot and it may take a long time, but with a time limit we had to come up with an alternative, especially to reach the audience.
To over come this issue, as a group we decided not to create an app, but make a website that was responsive. This means that the site will adjust to whatever piece of technology it comes up on. For example, there is a certain piece of html coding that allows the site to do this, and so if the website is opened on a phone, it will automatically adjust its sizing to fit the screen. 
Overall, as a group we had a problem but we resolved quickly and still had the audience in mind to make sure we reach them. 

FIRST DESIGN OF SITE

The images shown in this post, show potential home pages of the website. Firstly, the colours of blues/greens make it reach the audience, both male/female easier, like it's not targeted for one gender. Also, the colours create a calm and relaxing mood within the website. And against the white background it keeps things simple and minimalistic.  
The font is also kept simple, as it emphasises that it does the job and gives the right information for the audience. And it is easy for the user to read the content and be navigated around the website.  


However, personally I feel that there are some problems with the style of the homepage. As a group we did want to focus on the shape of an arrow, and trying to place arrows on a web page became difficult. Looking at both of the designs, there is too much happening and the viewer doesn't know where to focus. Even though the colours work, I personally feel that it looks like a mess and needs improving. 

WIREFRAMES / LAYOUTS

Below is the structure of how the pages all interlink with each other, and as you can see it is kept simple, making it easier for the user to navigate. 

The image below shows the potential layout/design of the homepage, a logo and branding still needs working on, but this gives some idea of how the site could look. 

MY ROLE - BEGINNINGS OF DESIGNS

For this semester, we are in a group of three to create the website, and each member has a certain role to play. 

My role in this group is to DESIGN. I was involved with the branding of the whole website and making sure that it reaches the target audience of male/female students. When starting the design/layout for the site, I personally begin to focus on a logo, as I believe from that it will tie everything together as the site builds. Also, when creating the logo, I created a number versions of it, with different colours as I can see what works best and then build up a layout of a potential website page. 

The logos to left show the beginnings of the creation. The name "K - GO" with the arrow, basically means, Kingston Go, meaning that the user is able to see all things to do with Kingston on the site and its just a simple/easy design to read. Furthermore, I tried to develop it further, by adding in colours and potential slogans but I felt that it became a bit to much on the page. So, as a group we decided to keep the original idea and begin to use colours to see what worked best. 

 

MOODBOARD - FURTHER IDEAS

Above shows a few images I placed together in bringing the idea for the website together. First, there are some images showing the local area of Kingston, and the places to go in the area, especially for university students. Secondly, I got the logo of 'Trip Advisor', because as a group we wanted to create a site for the students and show them the places to go/things to do when studying at Kingston University. Like 'Trip Advisor' it gives ratings/information on holiday places, but we have turned it into information for the students studying in Kingston. Lastly, there are some potential colour schemes that could be used for the branding/website, but that will develop more when designing comes into play more. Also, the group is considering the use of an arrow, maybe emphasising the places to go in Kingston. 

PROPOSAL

Link to Proposal - 

http://prezi.com/f7l2avlgys53/multi-media-production/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

BRAINSTORM OF IDEAS

TB 2 - BRIEF

The task set for this semester is to produce a website in groups and further develop the skills I gained from last semester. The website needs to have a number of different medias, from images to videos, and even audio, but overall has to be interactive. Within the group, each person must have a certain role and make the work load more spread out. The roles in the group must consist of a project manager, whom is in charge of the content and legal issues. Next is the creative designer, whom design's the logos/branding for the site, and edits most images or videos, etc. Also, you can have the role of a programer in the group, who, deals with all the html and css styles. Overall, as a group we can create a new website with new information. or develop one group members website, as long as its works and has different usage of medias. 

WEBSITE EVALUATION

My individual website is based upon my own personal photography, with the pictures I have captured throughout the years. With them, I then went onto create my own personal style through the editing skill of 'spot-colour', meaning the images are in black & white, but one aspect of the image is highlighted with its original colour. Also, I put in some information about why I like photography and forms of social media so the audience can keep in contact with me or updated with my new images. 

Within my site I feel there is some success, especially through my branding. The logo and titles of pages consist with the 4 circles, putting emphasis on 'spot-colour' and its simplicity stands out to the audience. Also, the use of the blue and grey keeps the site simple, and it's not hard on the viewers eye, so they will be more keen to look in at the website. My images themselves have successfully been edited and put into the size/pixels, so they are clear to see on the site. Also, I have made a Twitter & Tumblr page, to keep in contact with my audience, whom are young adults into photography or even study it as a corse. This shows that I am already beginning to use different media platforms to create my site and keep the target audience informed. 

Although, I feel there can be some improvements made to my website. Personally, I believe that it needs to be more interactive and get the actual audience member involved into my website, to get them lost within my works and maybe inspire them to photography in my way. Also, for the future I will look into more media platforms, like use videos or audios, just to make the website more interesting, but with that I would to keep the simple, minimalist style of my website. Lastly, I feel I need a bit knowledge on Dreamweaver to make my site really successful.  

Overall, my first attempt of creating a website went well, as there are a number of different medias like images, social media and email on the site. Also I feel the branding and colours were consist throughout and the simple look makes the site look cleaner and neat. With this simplicity, I feel it researches to my audience of young adults into photography as the sites main focus is on the images. Yet, for future works on the web I feel my site needs to be more interactive and get the viewer involved more.