The document discusses observing and critiquing existing websites before designing a new one. It provides guidance on focusing analysis of sample sites on how information is displayed, navigation through the site, choosing and finding information, communicating identity, and feedback/interaction. The objectives are to understand good design concepts, apply guidelines, and incorporate tools like color, balance and alignment. The process prepares students to sketch, prototype and test their own website design.

1. Observing and Critiquing Existing sites Toward a Better Design

2. Lecture Concepts Focus on designing a web site Observe and critique existing sites Develop key design concepts and guidelines Provide important details on designing readable text Sketching and prototyping a site design

3. Lecture Objectives Understand how existing sites incorporate key design concepts Learn how to apply guidelines for good site design Learn to use the following tools to create eye appeal: Color Balance Alignment Other tools Become aware of the process of sketching, prototyping and testing your design

4. Observing and Critiquing Existing Sites Before designing a site – look at others Analyze how they achieve the objectives we’ve discussed What could they do better? Analyze many sites in order to be better informed

5. Observing and Critiquing Existing Sites Sites to analyze: An existing site from the organization (the one you’re designing for) A site from a competitor Site from a parallel organization (if you manufacture boats, look at autos)

6. Observing and Critiquing Existing Sites Analysis of each site should focus: Display of information How does the site display text, images and video? How does it incorporate sound? How does it display lists and tables?

7. Observing and Critiquing Existing Sites Analysis of each site should focus: Navigation through the site: Whose site am I looking at? Where am I in the site? What else is available? Where should I go next? How do I find what I am looking for?

8. Observing and Critiquing Existing Sites Analysis of each site should focus: Choosing and finding: How do I select items to view? How do I search the contents of the site? What kind of site map is provided?

9. Observing and Critiquing Existing Sites Analysis of each site should focus: Communicating the organization’s identity: How does the site use color? What kind of distinguishing font is used? How is the company logo displayed? What design features are included?

10. Observing and Critiquing Existing Sites Analysis of each site should focus on: Feedback and interaction: How are forms used? Are discussion forums provided? Are chats available? Are there other forms of feedback and interaction?

11. Observing and Critiquing Existing Sites After you’ve answered these questions for sample sites, use them to determine how you will handle these issues in your site.