Art Director Mike Correy and Designer Alexa Tuskey offer strategies to build a long-lasting design strategy. Keeping check-ins in mind, a flexible yet sturdy design strategy can create websites made to last.

1. NOV 2-4, 2016
Design Health
Adopting a Digital
“Lifestyle Change”

2. NOV 2-4, 2016
Michael Correy
@michaelcorrey
Alexa Tuskey
@LaserTuskey

3. NOV 2-4, 2016
How many of you have had a check-up
with your doctor this year?

5. NOV 2-4, 2016
How many of your websites have had a
check-up this year?

6. NOV 2-4, 2016
Stats
§ Given 15 minutes to consume content, two-thirds of people
would rather read something beautifully designed than
something plain. (Source: Adobe)
§ 39% of people will stop engaging with a website if images
won’t load or take too long to load. (Source: Adobe)
§ 38% of people will stop engaging with a website if the
content/layout is unattractive. (Source: KoMarketing)

7. NOV 2-4, 2016
Even More Stats
§ 47% of people expect a web page to load in 2 seconds
or less (Source: Econsultancy)
§ You have 10 seconds to leave an impression and tell them
what they’ll get out of your website and company. After
this time (and oftentimes before), they’ll leave
(Source: NN Group)

8. NOV 2-4, 2016
The Two Types of Patients

9. NOV 2-4, 2016
Scenario 1

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“I am here for my yearly checkup. What am I
doing well and what do I need to improve upon
with my health?”

11. NOV 2-4, 2016
“My site was recently built/redesigned within the
last three years. What can I do to keep it fresh
and make it better?”

12. NOV 2-4, 2016
Examples
§ Already responsive, but would like to add more current
and up-to-date technology
§ Content/Photography needs refreshing
§ Brand has evolved and needs to be reflected
§ Load speeds are slow and need to be increased
§ Cosmetic/aesthetic updates

13. NOV 2-4, 2016
Scenario 2

14. NOV 2-4, 2016
“I am severely sick/out of shape. I need to change
my life. How do I begin again, the right way?”

15. NOV 2-4, 2016
“I can’t remember the last time I redesigned my
site/have never even touched it. How do I rebuild
it the right way?”

16. NOV 2-4, 2016
Examples
§ Site isn’t responsive
§ Current grid structure no longer works with the content
§ Using outdated code/technology
§ Site is unattractive, contrast is bad, imagery is dated
§ Too many to list!

17. NOV 2-4, 2016
A Solid Foundation

18. NOV 2-4, 2016
“Designers of the future should be like architects.
We need to aspire to design and build beautiful
things that last.”
–CHRISTIAN MILLER, OWNER/CURATOR OF ATTACKTHEFRONT.IO

19. NOV 2-4, 2016
The Healthcare Cycle

24. NOV 2-4, 2016
Check-ups & Audits

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“Digital web design is like painting,
except the paint never dries.”
–NEVILLE BRODY, FOUNDER OF BRODY ASSOCIATES

26. NOV 2-4, 2016
Why Get a Website Audit?
§ Digital design is never permanent
§ Web trends are cyclical
§ Up-to-date content is imperative
§ Websites should look good from the inside out
(clean code, keywords, no Flash)
§ Technologies are always advancing

27. NOV 2-4, 2016
Prevention
§ Most important reason to give your website a yearly audit
is PREVENTION, even if the site is new and healthy
§ Aids in determining risk factors for your site
§ Saves you money in the long run
§ Advice for moving forward

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“When you’re finished changing,
you’re finished.”
–BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

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Routines & Innovation

30. NOV 2-4, 2016
“Innovation means taking risks, exploring new avenues,
and making the most of opportunities. It does not mean
doing things just because you can. There needs to be a
focus on what matters, and what matters is not technology,
but the people who use the technology.”
–CHRIS LAKE, CEO AT EMPIRICALPROOF

31. NOV 2-4, 2016
How Do We Build a Solid Foundation?
§ Striking a balance between best practices and trends
§ It’s good to take risks to push ourselves to stay creative
§ Innovation for the sake of the user is key
§ There’s a big difference between taking risks in major
functionality decisions versus small enhancements that
don’t affect usability

32. NOV 2-4, 2016
Foundations or Ace Bandages?
§ False foundations: diets are not blueprints for the future
§ You must make a lifestyle change
§ Are you cherry-picking elements because you like the way
they look, or are you thinking about how they’re going to
look down the road?
§ Will you have to drop these features eventually because
they’re depriving your users of a real experience?

33. NOV 2-4, 2016
Real World Examples

35. 2008 2015 2016

37. 2008 2014 2016

39. 2008 2012 2016

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In Conclusion…
§ Preventative audits are key for your site’s health
§ Stay current with technology, but implement trends wisely
§ If your site is up to date, measure and maintain
with self-checkups
§ If it’s time for an overhaul, lay down a solid foundation
§ Iterative updating over time is the best way to save your
company time and money

41. NOV 2-4, 2016
Questions?

42. NOV 2-4, 2016
Design Health
Adopting a Digital
“Lifestyle Change”