Cisco Networking Academy - Fundamentals of Web Design






 
 
 
Summary






In this chapter, you learned that several key events
happen during pre-production and all are crucial to the success of the website
design. First is the initial interview which allows you to get a good
understanding of the clientłs business and what expectations the client has for
the website. It is important to listen carefully to the client and ask many
questions. The size and scope of the website is determined by this and
subsequent interviews with the client. Next, the brainstorming session takes
place. Here, ideas for the websitełs content and style are generated.
After the brainstorming session, the general look and feel of the website is
developed. Then the designer must also determine the information architecture:
how the site will be organized and how the user will navigate around the site.
Your proposal for the website is then developed and presented to the client. If
all goes well, a contract is then negotiated between you and the client.
The pre-production phase is extremely important because it is here that you
develop the relationship with your client. A website that does not meet the
needs of the client is not a successful website. The knowledge you gain from the
interviews with the client and other employees is essential for you to design a
website that fits the client's needs. Open communication between you and your
client throughout pre-production is vital. Consider the client as part of your
design team and include him/her in discussions and decisions. A site that is
organized poorly and difficult to navigate causes users to leave the site; this
translates to lost revenue for your client. Clients should never lose customers
because of a poorly designed website.
Organizing all aspects of this project is critical from the start. A
well-executed pre-production phase will save you time and allow you to
anticipate problems that may arise during later stages of the project.
Now that you have a firm understanding of the pre-production phase, you are
ready to begin production of the website. The time you have spent preparing for
production during this phase will make this next phase of the project relatively
easy.