Goodbye blogger!

Hey everyone!

Thank you ALL for taking the time to read my blog!

I'm not going anywhere though, don't worry!

I'm simply moving homes. My blog is now accessible on my own personal website which you can find here.

Thanks for reading and I'll see you over at the other side!

http://www.samuelmarshall.com

NTU Pride - Committee Interviews and Outtakes

For the NTU Pride website, I went out and filmed the committee members to get their feedback on the year so far.

I've spent a few hours editing the videos alone and with my fellow committee member, Mikey and we've finally finished and released the videos.

They will be going on the promotional DVDs ready for fresher's fayre in October.

LUCY: Website tweeks and development

I have gone through and tweeked various things throughout Lucy's website and added in a more secure login system to prevent hacking of the blog and gig updates etc.

Fixed various design flaws - including too much inconsistancy between headings and colours etc. Things are a lot more structured and userfriendly now, including headings, possitioning and other TINY little things in the code that usually wouldn't go noticed, but make a massive difference to the professional quality such as padding etc.

I've also made the add, edit and delete forms for the blog and gigs MUCH more user friendly by changing the text boxes to drop down menus.

You can now upload photos up the 3MB and the system will automatically downsize it to fit within the constraints of the website WITHOUT distortion, however the file size will remain the same.

The login procedure is now MUCH more secure. People can't edit the blog or gigs by accessing the individual pages, they MUST log in. (Which was previously a flaw in the last log in design)

I've added in a random image selecter on the home page so that it will randomly choose an image to display which is a photo of Lucy and a comment that someone has said about her. (Refresh the home page to see this working)

The alignment of the text is now justified so that it spreads evenly accross the page. (Small minor change, big difference!)

And finally, the MP3 player begins playing the first track when you load up each page.

I'm handing in my work on Thursday and doing my presentation on Friday... I think we're almost finished!!

I've talked to my brother about getting the website online at Lucy's own domain, and I hope to get that online by the end of March. Fingers crossed!

PRIDE: Finally online and active

After working on the new NTU Pride website for several months, the new website, logo and brand image was launched on 15th February 2010 and it went off to a roaring success.

To celebrate the new branding, we had a massive house party where guests could watch a firework display, let off Chinese lanterns and enjoy cake and music.

I really wanted to bring a brand new image to NTU Pride, making it much more professional looking and making it stand out from the crowd, not blending in at all.

Through using the bright colours against the dark background, this has really worked well and will continue to look fresh and bright for years to come.

To see the website online now, check out http://www.ntupride.org.uk

In addition to the website, 2 large new banners were printed and various t-shirts were made too. As I'm on the committee for NTU Pride, I've been working closely with the bar, Propaganda to create a strong sponsorship and NTU Pride is now pleased to be officially sponsored by them.

DESIGNS: Kid In A Candy Store .co.uk

Web design:

Trent Barton Review

Well well well! It's about time Trent Barton revamped their website!
Their old site was very outdated and was quite unfriendly to use, it felt as though it was stuck in the mid 00's with their simple drop down menus and confusing bus time tables, however the story is different now.

Their new site offers the user a modern soft design, with the use of sliding menus and databases to remove unwanted clutter. Their new features removed all the excessive and unrequired data, and presents the user with options to find what they're really looking for.

Diverse menus that are simple to use and easy to understand have turned this website around. Their graphics have been improved a sense of strong brand has been created through their graphic design and web management. Check it out!

10/10

http://www.trentbarton.co.uk/

KID IN A CANDY STORE: New site design

Well after having my current website online for about 6 or 7 months, I've decided it's time to give it a refresh to fit inline with my new portfolio, so that I create a new brand image and have business cards printed along the same lines.

Here is my new design for the site. It will be made in HTML and CSS as I feel my new skills in these areas will be able to create the site I want, which is an exciting opportunity for me to put my new skills into a design that will actually be used online. Also, producing the website in HTML and CSS will make it a lot easier to update and change when required, unlike using Flash, which takes a lot of time and concentration when adapting it to fit in new content.

However, I may still use Flash elements, depending on how the website forms over the coming months.

CSS Fixed and Floating - Reviewing Websites

Landau Forte
Derby Yamaha Music School
The Sims 3
Facebook
BBC

I've been looking across the Internet at how websites act and respond when the user resizes the window or maximises etc.

I looked at some mainstream sites such as Facebook and BBC and Sims 3, as well as more niche sites such as Landau Forte and Derby Yamaha Music School. My research can conclude that the way most of the sites move around are relative to a position. For example, the Landau Forte and BBC websites are positioned to be central to the screen and when the window is made larger, nothing happens, other than all the content staying central to the window.

Some sites, such as Facebook and Sims 3 are still central, but having moving objects. For example, on Facebook, if you resize the window the blue bar at the top will resize to fill all the way along the top of the site, however the whole website is still centrally positioned. The Sims 3 site also works in the same way, with the Sims 3 logo staying positioned absolutely top left, making it always visible.

Having done this research, I've decided that I am going to create my Markeaton Park website in the same style, using CSS to configure the site to be central, and remain central on resized windows.

Ill aim to keep the site's dimensions with in 800x600 to keep it accessible to a lot of monitors and screens.

Markeaton Park Website: Initial Designs

This is the second design I've created for the Markeaton Park website.

The wireframe is on the left and shows how the generic website will look.

The new design incorporates the autumnal colours of reds, oranges and browns without the use of too much photography.

I'm not as keen on this site design as it looks very flat and basic, which wouldn't apeal to those of a more technical background.

The dual navigation bar may also be confusing, however the top bar is used to navigation across the main pages and the secondary bar is to navigate between each section of the site.

The image taken is a very good representation of autumn, however I feel I can either find another image that would represent Markeaton park better or at least show something that the user would recognise about the park. I may also include some sort of revolving gallery here.

Markeaton Park Website: Research and Theory Work

Here are a few photographs I took today after going on site to Markeaton Park to get some of my own research done.

I thought it was necessary for me to do a site visit so that I could really remember the essence of what Markeaton Park means to me and to get a real view of how it looks in Autumn/Winter.

I took approximately 150 photos of which I will probably use some in my project to add visuals to the site.

Here is some data that I've gathered that may be useful in producing the site:
Buses to the park:

• Park & Ride
• Notts + Derby
• Unibus 4
• Unibus 5

Amenities close to the park:

• Derby University
• McDonalds
• Esso Petrol Station
• Easy access to the town centre

Park's amenities:

• 24/7 Pay & Display Parking
• Pitch and Putt
• Craft Village
• The Orangery Cafe

Selling:

1. Hot Food
2. Baguettes
3. Panini
4. Homemade Cakes

• Lilac Joinery
• Paint a Pot
• Matthew Morris Furniture
• Basket Ball Courts
• Tennis Courts
• Rowing Boats
• Child's play areas
• Half Pipe
• Crazy Golf
• Bouncy Castle
• Steam Train
• Donkeys
• Paddling Pool
• Road Train
• Ice Cream Stall

Selling:

1. Magnums
2. 5-Ice
3. Cornetto (Mint and Strawberry)
4. Festival (Original and Mint)
5. Screwball
6. ZAP
7. 99
8. Sunny Ice (Blackcurrant, Orange and Cola)
9. Rainbow Lolly
10. Strawberry Lolly
11. Ices Lollies (Cherry, Lemonade, Banana, Choc-o-Lic, Lager & Lime

I've also completed the forms we were given in our first lecture about our chosen space, building or environment. Here's my responses:

Physical Environment
Who is the environment for?
Everyone. Couples, families, friends, singles, students, children, adults, pets.
What is the environment for?
A space to come enjoy the outdoors and get involved with the park. Very interactive without being over powering.
How is the environment organised?
There's no strong structure to it and that gives the park a more natural feel. Doesn't conform to any specific rules. Mundy Place centre keeps all the children together which enables to parents to keep an eye on their kids.
How is the space signposted/negotiated?
Fairly well sign posted where necessary, use Derby City Council style boards and their own Victorian style sign posts too.
How do you feel about the space?
Relaxing, friendly and a place to think. Good for families to come to relax or enjoy some time together doing activities.
What problems can you see/predict?
As it's so open and varied, creating a website with a strong structure may be challenging as there's many different feelings and emotions that may come across to different people when walking through the park, the park benches for example often have plaques on them saying "In loving memory". It'll be important to include a picture gallery that captures the park in its autumn/winter state.

The Online Environment Equivalent
Who will the online environment be aimed at?
Families and those who are looking for things to do over the winter months.
What is the online environment for?
Promotion of Markeaton Park. A place to find out about the park and what it has to offer.
How is the online environment organised?
Split into 5 main areas. Home, What's On, Map, Kids and Gallery. Some pages will have more to it than just these 5 things. I'll have to come up with a site map.
How will the online environment be updated/managed?
The pictures in the gallery will be changed easily by uploading different pictures with the same file name, in effect, over writing the original source files. The text will simply be changed through a normal website editor.
How do you feeling about the online environment?
I think if I focus the site around families and what's on offer, it'll be a good product. I am very excited to get started on the site and create a space accessible to those who want to find out more.
What problems can you see/predict for an online representation of this environment?
Creating an online environment will be challenging as the park is so diverse and varied and means all sorts for different people. Creating a single site with one focus could prove quite a task. I'll have to keep it focused on what's available to do there.

4 Web Design Principles

Just found this interesting website. Thought those doing Interactive Media would find it quite useful for design principles.

http://www.myinkblog.com/2009/03/21/4-principles-of-good-design-for-websites/

Building :: Structure :: Environment

Here are two scans of some paper based work I've just completed.

The wire frame shows the vision I have for the website, it's layed out in the style I would like to create for it, however, as expected, the design may change as I become more confident with Javascript and Dreamweaver.

The brain storm shows my ideas and how I'm going to research around the actual practice of making the website.

I've thought about different target audience's and their requirements, along with various different accessbility options I have for using javascript, such as changing the font size, using voice over and enlarging photographs.

The Onion

Taking Unencyclopedia and spinning it on its head, this fantastic website gives the citizens of America (and the rest of the world) a good laugh at almost anything you could imagine in the news.
From the war on terror to Google's dominance, the Onion website is a great place to log on to for a quick laugh.

The site has been made very well and the content passes a very high standard, looking very professional with the use of video clips and it's strong branding.

One of the best video's I've seen on this site was about Google taking over the world, and the only way to get out of Google's tracking is to join an opt-out scheme, where people who don't want Google to get them can be placed in a mini village where there's no computers or hospitals etc. A brilliant spoof idea that works very well in convincing the audience that Google really are taking over and it's getting beyond a joke now.

The Onion website will not only make you laugh, but make you think, and I believe that's one of the most important aspects of web design.

The Onion website

8/10

WEBSITE: Completed

Finally my website is complete!

It has taken several months to design, redesign, edit, adjust and complete this site what with my other projects and being busy enjoying my time off, but it's finally here!

Check it out now at kidinacandystore.co.uk

Loose Women

Having been introduced to Loose Women from my boyfriend, I've become some what intrigued and interested by it.

It's interesting to me to see a program that's so successful being shown as day time entertainment. Maybe this is opening a new slot for a peak time or the show appeals as it's light hearted comedy that could be shown in waiting rooms in places such as Doctor's surgeries and hair salons for example.

A differing panel on each day of the week offers a fresh and appealing show that is always unpredictable and often takes the viewer by surprise.

I think the heart of the success in the show is that ITV have selected female celebrities that are not incredibly famous, and are therefore more like the average UK citizen. Through this, we as an audience are able to identify ourselves with them through the universal issues they talk about by giving candid opinions on subject matters that would occasionally be taken too far on an evening show, but kept to a good humorous level at lunch time.

Would the success of the show be the same with equally famous men? I highly doubt it. For some reason, I don't think this time slot would accommodate 4 middle aged men talking about their life experiences including the humorous sexual innuendos as the women manage to pull off. Instead, the show may come across as a dirtier show simply because it's men talking about their experiences and I can imagine a lot of middle aged men finding it hard to talk about similar subjects of interest in the same way, creating light hearted lunch time entertainment.

Overall, Loose Women attracts a massive audience and a good following with their ITV website which includes a forum for the audience members to get involved with and various competitions to keep the show uplifting and fun.

There's no doubt in my mind this show will go from strength to strength, it's just a shame they don't offer a Catch-Up service for the show on the ITV website.

9/10

WEBSITE: Progression

I have been working on my own website quite a bit recently to try and get it finished and uploaded to the main address as soon as possible.

I've now managed to create the site with some basic animation to make it more dynamic.

The video features multiple videos and audio content which is available to view now.

Hopefully the website should be completed and online within the next few weeks.

To check the progress so far, please visit:
http://www.kidinacandystore.co.uk

DAN: Website Design

Here's the first website design I've made for Dan.

Dan asked me if I could produce him a website for him to front all his work.
I feel it represents his personality and the yellow colour is perfect for him and his work.
The dark black lines that border the white box and underline the text represent the designs of an architect and the structures of buildings.

LUCY: Website Design 2

Here's the second design for Lucy's website.
It is a lot more modern and cleaner. I wanted to create two that are quite opposite to show her the variety of sites available to her.
This design offers a more sleek and professional feel, however it may not fully represent her as a musician.

Hopefully we'll be able to discuss her requirements further once we've met up.

LUCY: Website Design

Here's the first website design for Lucy's website.

The website will either be created in flash or dreamweaver depending on the requirements.

The background of the website gives the whole site the industrial and rusty feel I was aiming for and the sellotaped and pinned notes fulfil the requirement set by the client and are inkeeping with the site design.

Using two fonts enables the industrial features to stand out which makes Lucy's name striking and bold, contrasting with the website content which will be easier to read where smaller text is required.

PRIDE: Promotion Ideas

This is a poster design to promote the NTU Pride society.

I feel that the poster gives the society a brand new image that's not only eye-catching but also provides a new view on the LGBT way of life.

The use of colours isn't typical of how the original pride flag is generally used, but uses the idea of multiple colours to create brand awareness of the pride flag.

The explosion of colour connotates the vibrant attitude and diverse way of living which is reflected through the members of the society.