Design Process

One:

http://www.idesignstudios.com/blog/web-design/phases-web-design-development-process/

Two:

http://www.idesignstudios.com/blog/web-design/phases-web-design-development-process/

Three:

http://www.studiointeractive.net/studio-interactive-web-design-and-development-process/

Four:

http://www.noupe.com/design/creative-brainstorming-50-examples-of-the-logo-design-process.html

Analyzing the four above web sites on how they tackle their developmental process proved to be an interesting study. Sites one, two and three had similar processes and site four shows the process of creative brainstorming, a valuable tool for the initial phase.

The first three sites compile the phases their company follows when they develop a web site.

1. Information Gathering and internet strategy
2. Planning
3. Design
4. Development, content and web
5. Testing, training and Delivery
6. Maintenance

Information gathering and internet strategy

The questions asked are:

Who is your target audience and what’s the purpose?

What’s the objective for the site?

What kind of information is needed?

This is a basic, fact finding session. We’ve all done it a dozen times if you have been around the MAT classes for any length of time. After gathering your facts, the next phase falls into place.

A goal with out a plan is just a wish

The outcome of planning stage will be the road map used for the journey. It’s a vital ingredient to know what you need and when you need it. It explains to the team how to execute the project, (even if that team is only one person). The goal is have a good plan so you can arrive at the goal quickly and efficiently. Plan out what you are going to need in every category and sub category and what approach will you be using.

Design

After having a plan, the next step is design. What is the look and feel of the web site? Bring in the company’s branding and make it work with the message you take to the target audience. Having it look appealing, telling the story, getting a good flow and rhythm is all part of design.

Development

By now the project is in the flow. Designs have just been approved by the client and you are ready to make it happen. How will it happen, what coding will be used. How are you going to divide that page and how will it navigate. These questions should have been answered in your plan! Designing the site and developing the site, two jobs on opposite sides of the scale. One is creative the other is logical. Development is all about making your design work.

Never stop testing and your project will never stop improving

Testing as everyone knows is a vital ingredient in development. One wants to know sooner then later if there is a problem. Checking the site to make sure all links work, navigation, images, etc… (the list seems endless). Checking the hosting site, and finally testing it with your client, who will most likely need training.

Maintenance

Someone’s got to be paying attention! Did I mention never stop testing?

Brainstorming

The last web site I added was a study on brainstorming. Even though it’s a study for logo design, the process still works in other areas. It should be done right after the information gathering phase. One thought leads to another and you would be surprised how creative the sessions can be as a result of brainstorming