Web+Design


 * // Web Design Web Quest //**


 * // Introduction //**

You are a Web Design Specialist employed at W.E.B.Designs, Inc. Four of our biggerst clients have come to use with a specific job in mind - design a web site that is superior to its competitors and will increase their business.

You will be working with a partner as a design team specially assembled to accoumplish this goal. You and your partner will be comparing and critiquing the web sites of your client's competitors using your knowledge of desktop publishing and web page design. You will compare these sites in order to find the best and/or worst design features that you will consider when you and your partner design your client's web site.

Are you ready for a challenge?


 * // Task //**

First you and your partner need to choose your client. These are the four clients (and a list of their top two competitors) that have approached W.E.B. Designs, Inc. for help in designing a web site for their company.

Competitors**: The Buckle ([]) and The Gap ([]))
 * Client: Davidson's Fashions

Competitors**: Famous Dave's ([]) and Jethro's BBQ (http:// [|www.jethrosdesmoines.com])
 * Client: Bill's Smokehouse

Competitors**: Humble Travel ([]) and Short's Travel ([])
 * Client: Travel Club Travel Agency

Competitors**: Veridian Credit Union ([]) and BankIowa (http://www.bankiowa.com/home/?pageLabel=home)
 * Client: Anita Savings & Loan

Once you and your partner have chosen a client, your task is to analyze your client's top two competitor's web sites for design and validity. You will use a Compare and Contrast Graphic Organizer to record your thinking. Each of you will take on two roles while evaluating your competitor's web site: The Text Patrol, The Graphic's Guru, The Link'ster, or The Meaning Mob. Then you will get together with your partner to begin comparing notes on what you have found that will help you when designing your client's web site. Finally, your task will be to design and create a web site for your client using Microsoft FrontPage.//

Process

First decide which client you and your partner will design a web site for. Then decide which two roles each of you will take on:

- **The Text Patrol** - //The responsibilities here will be to look at the text on the web site. Look to see that there are no spelling or grammatical errors; the font style is consistent and appropriate for the content of the site; there is breathing room around the text; appropriate paragraph and line length have been applied; font styles used make text readable. -// **The Graphic Guru** - //The responsibilities here will be to make sure that the graphical content is pertinent to the theme of the site; graphics are not excessive; there is sufficient space around the graphics; the background is light; no borders around images; graphcis and text are side by side; the page is appealing and can hold the reader's attention. -// **The Link'ster** - //The responsibilities here will be to look at the links on the site - are all links accessible, functional, and meaningful; does the web site load quickly; has the site been updated recently; does each page have a link back to the homepage; are there links missing that should have been provided; sources listed where necessary; underlining avoided except for links. -// **The Meaning Mob** - //The responsibilities here are to look at the overall theme - is there a meaningful title; is the design appropriate for intended audience; can the author of the page be found easily; does the author have an e-mail address; is the site easy to navigate; who wrote the web site; who is publishing it; is there an opinion presented; communication of ideas clear - purpose of site evident; easy to read and comprehend.

Once your roles have been decided upon, print a copy of the Compare and Contrast Graphic Organizer for each area to use for taking notes while doeing the web page evaluation [|Click here for the Compare and Contrast Graphic Organizer] Do not take more than 20 minutes per site. After this time, get back with your partner and create a guide sheet to help you when designing your web site. Once you have created,// and typed, //your guide sheet print two copies - one copy for your use in designing and one copy to hand in at the conclusion of the web quest.//

Evaluation

You and your partner, as a team, will be evaluated using the [|Web Site Evaluation Rubric] Look at this rubric frequently as you create your client's web site.

Conclusion

After completing your client's web site, you will understand more fully how to create well-designed web pages. You will have also gained insight into evaluating web sites when you ae searching the Internet for information.

Here are questions for you and your partner to reflect upon and then answer in regard to this project. Word process your responses and turn in with your Compare and Contrast Graphic Organizers.

1. What did you learn while designing this web site? 2. What were some distracting elements that you discovered while doeing your evaluation that you eliminated from the design of your web site? 3. What is a key question you will ask yourself when evaluating a web site in the future?//

Adapted: macserver.independence.k12.ia.us