The second project of this term was called ‘Digital Me’; I was set the task to code and design a five page interactive website using Adobe Dreamweaver. The purpose of the website was to act as a digital portfolio and promotional online resource for my University work. I had to display proficient design principles, learn to self-promote and gain an imperative understanding of coding and building a website. Consequently, I had to show a fundamental insight and true concept of the current common attraction to utilising social networking sites as a form of advertising and displaying information.
Firstly, I drew up wireframes so I could begin to explore and interpret initial ideas for my website design. Secondly, I began to investigate and learn about Adobe Dreamweaver; this was the software that I would be using to code my website. Primarily, it took me while to learn how the software and HTML worked. This proved to be far more challenging than last terms project, 'Interactive Space'. However, with much patience and guidance from my lecturers in seminars and also extensive online research, I gradually began to grasp and to successfully apply the software. Finally, I managed to build the basic template that I had predesigned using the wireframes as a guideline.
Once I had the basic template, the actual design of the website had to be decided. This included deciding on which font, logo and colour schemes I wished to portray on my website. It was a lengthy process to compose a name for my site that I could base my logo on as this was an important decision as I felt passionately about making the website reflect my personality. I spent time mind mapping and experimenting with possible ideas until I had the concept of my final choice: ‘I-Scream Design’. I scanned this image into Photoshop, where I then traced the image and added colour in an original way. I used muted bright colour’s to reflect my personality throughout the site; cheery and loud, but with a sense of calm and tranquility. I then moved and used the logo to design the banner. To achieve this, I downloaded two fonts from dafont.com and inserted my logo; again this was all completed in Photoshop.
I believe the most successful components of my site were the colour choice that I used; they all complemented one another and provided direction through all the pages. I had to edit the gallery’s XML so the font and colour’s followed with the rest of the site; these allowed a pleasing flow for an audience as they travel between pages. I also felt the unique features I included, such as the contact form and the redirection of the page after form submission, brought a professional atmosphere and quality to the site.
On the contrary, time and skill permitting, there are many improvements that I would like to have made to the site. Majority of these improvements would require me to know JavaScript, however, I believe they would have added to the sites content and overall design. I would have liked to have added a Facebook feed and possibly change the main font I used, as I do not feel it harmonised with the rest of the site.
Having now completed the project, I can conclude to the vast knowledge I have gained throughout the designing of my website. From knowing very little about HTML and Adobe Dreamweaver, I am now confident I have a reasonable understanding of coding and am suitably capable to build a functioning and aesthetically pleasing website. On completion of the project, I have been left questioning which pathway I wish to follow next year as I enjoyed exploring new software leading up to the creation of a functioning and gratifying website.
