YOUR NAME:__________________________________________________________________

CLASS GROUP: __DAY:_____________________________TIME:________________________

INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE : PLANNING A WEBSITE

The aim of this exercise is to look at Information Architecture and planning a website. work in small groups and nominate to be either the client or the designer for the examples listed below. These sheets will be collected in class so put your name on it

Here are three examples of possible projects you may consider working on - have a look at these then answer the questions at the end:

BOB'S BUSH FURNITURE

A local artist builds individual pieces of furniture from found bush wood - the odd twists in the wood defining how the piece looks. In the past he has created table settings, chairs, daybeds, sofas, storage cabinets, bookshelves and small decorative sculptures pieces. Materials range from found bush timber (fallen tree branches) to rough-sawn slab timber, corrugated iron, surfboards and other found everyday objects.

Bob would like a website that:

• introduces Bob and outlines the history of the business
• provides a gallery of past work
• offers current pieces of furniture for sale
• allows enquiries to be made for commissions
• shows testimonials from past happy customers
• allows website visitors to vote for their favourite piece
• details physical location of the business to encourage visitors
• includes a guestbook and feedback section

The impression that Bob would like to give is one of an artistic, handmade process using both natural and recycled materials. The idea could be one of visiting a farm shed and findng unique furniture in a rural setting. The strong tactile nature of the wood used and the organic shapes of the furniture should be conveyed to the viewer.

Currently the typical customer has been over 35 and female, living locally or on holidays and finding Bob's work in markets and art galleries.

PHOTO_TYPE GALLERY

A community-based photography group PHOTO_TYPE has been expanding over the last twenty years and has now established for itself a dynamic exhibition space in Newcastle showing the work of photographic and digital-based media artists. The new opportunities for artists arising out of the growth of the internet means that they are seeking to establish a website that will be a companion cyberspace to the physical exhibition space - changing to reflect the shows and enhancing the viewer experience.

They would like a site built that:

• provides some background to the organisation
• encourages membership and newsletter subscriptions
• offers volunteers benefits for assisting with group projects
• allows artists to make enquiries about booking the space
• outlines the calendar of upcoming events
• provides space for the hosting of on-line artworks, multimedia, movies, sound etc. to be built by individual artists
• archives past shows and activities of the group
• provides a commissions register of local photo-media artists' contact details
• assists in meeting criteria for government funding grants ( statutory obligations, mission statements, accountability etc.)
• acts as a focal point for photo-media artists and links to other national and international photo-media organisations

Since the organisation is run by volunteers, the site needs to be relatively low-maintenance. Given the range of material that will be showcased there needs to be disclaimers about authorship, copyright and perhaps a policy on censorship.

The goals of the site include raising the group profile and image, assisting emerging photo-media artists, procuring funding (both individual and government grants), providing a focal internet space for new artists, complementing the gallery's "hanging" shows and giving the artists international reach.

Audience is likely to reflect the art community in general but the door will be open to international collaborations and recognition. They aim to be an important hub for the global photo-media community.

DESIGNERS PERSONAL SITE

A fresh new designer is completing their studies at a prestigious art school - they need a site that will do a number of things:

• showcase their cutting-edge art/design talent
• provide a forum for experimentation and ideas
• provide a viewing space for work-in-progress
• outline commission and contact details
• provide a gallery of recent work
• publish a small community newsletter/chat room for other artists working in their field
• allow contributions to be made to the newsletter/chat room
• link to influential design sites
• help them get a job (optional)

Audience is likely to be their contemporary artists, grant administrators, prospective purchasers (if relevant), possible employers ( add others as required).

PREPARING A CREATIVE BRIEF

Based on one of the examples above, prepare a creative brief for a proposed website. Work in small groups and rotate the role of client and designer for each example. Give as much detail about the following as possible:

CLIENT: This brief is being prepared for a website for...

GOAL: The goal of the proposed website will be to..

AUDIENCE: Who does the client want to attract, who may also want to visit, will they return a second time..

IMAGE: What message does the client want to project? The proposed site will convey an image of..

CONTENT: What categories of information are required? What questions do the audience have, what info will they want, what will entice and engage them?

INTERACTION: The audience will use the site for the purpose of...

TECHNICAL: Which browser technologies will be supported, what versions will it work with and which platforms? Should the site be fast with no graphics or larger with intense graphics - speed vs. image quality?

VISUAL DESIGN: If asked to propose a look and feel immediately, describe your first approach...

SITE MAP: Having outlined types of content, prepare a simple proposed site map for the site ( use the back of this sheet of paper)

SIGNED______________________________________________________________________________