Production thus far...

Tuesday we completed an overhaul of the site layout, having rebuilt it from the Collection page outward. After getting approval from Eddy on the layouts, we began looking into how exactly we'll execute the design as a functional website.

While Dreamweaver always comes into play to some degree, it seems like most of the components of this site would be best built in Flash. I'm looking into how to best move material from InDesign to both programs.

Beginning Phase 6

Today we turned in our Process PDF for Phase 5 and discussed our layout issues with Eddy. At present, most of the pages are too sparse, and could accommodate much more content. I'm reevaluating the layout and navigation options. My goal for Friday is to have explored a few more approaches that work within our established grid system, so we can begin actual page production then.

At present we're planning on producing some of our merchandise items via zazzle.com. Eddy advised us to reassess the placement and scale of the logo on some of the items first, before placing an actual order.

I've drawn up a schedule for us for Phase 6, and been busy toying with new layout possibilities for the collection. Catie, meanwhile, has been taking note of which Lynda tutorials we'll need to review within the next week or two in order to successfully produce a fully functional site.

A copy of our production schedule may be downloaded here.

Over Spring Break

We were able to get together over on the Sunday before the end of Spring Break. We planned on getting together a couple times, but we've both been sick and waiting for each other to recover. Instead of coming up with our own grid, which we seemed to be having a hard time with, we decided to borrow other grids to help us with the process. We put together potential web page designs and Mike worked on the stages in which a certain page might work. We have yet to brush up on our Dreamweaver skills and will do so once we decide how everything needs to function. Hopefully, we won't run into too many problems with that part. With what we have put together for now, we are looking forward to receiving feedback so we can keep moving forward with the project.

Content Development

For the past week we've been continuing to develop and organize content for the web experience. I've generated a wire frame of the primary pages for the site, focused more on general organization than specific layout and appearance. The next logical course of action will be to develop a working screen grid and begin developing some page designs.

Some suggestions from our latest critique included the prospect of doing a periodical newsletter as part of the physical aspect of the project, as well as a design for a booth at a gun show. We've also been discussing our merchandise ideas, and how they need to be focused rather specifically on the subject matter of the web experience. (Some of the objects may be rather difficult to physically implement the logo onto.) Another idea was to include merchandise with designs/phrases other than just the IN SIGHT brand identity. This idea might be worth pursuing with some prototype designs to an extent.

The greatest challenge I foresee on the horizon will be physically manufacturing the site, as the levels of interactivity we're planning are well beyond anything either Catie or myself are versed with in Dreamweaver/Flash. (On the note of Flash, I've also discussed with Eddy the possibility of incorporating some bits of motion work as part of the web experience. Such elements could be exported as FLV and woven into the design of the site.)

Another conceptual issue that arose in our last crit was the nature/mood of the sight. Should it remain as serious as it is? Or should it become somewhat humorous in some aspects. Personally I lean more towards serious, with some personal touches to keep it from becoming a dry, business-type site.

To date we've collected 107 bullets so far. We still need to document them all in preparation for visual presentation. This is another task I hope to accomplish before Friday.

Site Map / Development Process PDF
Site Wire Frame PDF

Phase 5 Development

This week we're starting to develop a frame for the web experience which the collection will ultimately be packaged as. In addition, we've begun typing up textual content to fill the pages of the web experience as needed. Catie is researching and developing content on personalities, while I've been sketching out some possible directions for the introduction, disclaimer, etc.

We're also working to establish a working voice for the content of the website. As Emily is a police officer, we want there to be a good measure of professionalism in the site's voice. My initial work with the introduction proved to be a bit too formal, perhaps. Eventually Catie and I will have to merge our collective writings together and massage them to get a unified tone throughout.

Initially we were planning to produce a book of some kind to satisfy the "physical artifact" segment of the packaging phase. After a discussion with Eddy this morning, we decided that a variety of merchandise items (t-shirts, hats, bags, etc) based on the IN SIGHT brand might be a more relevant solution. The possibility of a small booklet or pamphlet that references the site still remains.

Phase 4 Presentation

This past week Catie and I have been further developing the working identity for our collection, trying to fine-tune it and get it as close to finished as possible. We are close, although there may still be some more adjustments that take place in the near future.

Today's "round table" crit went well. I was pleasantly surprised to receive solid, professional feedback from certain classmates. There were some conflicting opinions on our type choice for the logo, and some comments regarding our working color palette. We made some minor tweaks to our colors after the fact, as well as experimenting with some alternate color options for the logotype.

For Tuesday we will need to sketch out some ideas for our two chosen methods of delivery. The primary method will be an interactive web experience, while the secondary will be a supporting pamphlet. (We discussed the possibilities of making a book and agreed that a book might become outdated too quickly for a collection of this nature.)

Our collection itself still need to be completed. Hopefully this can be accomplished over the weekend as well.

Continuing Phase 4

Today Catie and I reviewed our list of potential names, as well as some respective logotype ideas and visual system process work. The name we were working with (Head Shots) ended up being scrapped as it was pointed out that such a name could have seriously controversial implications. We have since returned to the drawing board and begun generating some more names. Ideally we want a name that hints at the nature of the collection without spelling it out. It should be catchy, but not campy (which is a difficult line to walk, especially with margins of subjectivity).

After experimenting with a variety of iconic artwork, we're considering a more restrained visual system that focuses primarily on use of color and type treatment. Our immediate goal is to zero in on a name to work with, enabling us to build the logo and visual system around the name.

Another presentation is due next week. I do not intend to drop the ball on this one.