DESIGN Design Introduction Planning Tools and Resources Bibliography of Online Resources Learning Styles Design Realities Visual Design and Colour Navigation Design Technology Toolbox Monitor Size Speed Comparison Design Focus and Evaluation Design Checklist

Design - Planning Tools and Resources

You may have planning tools at your museum that are transferable to the management of your educational website project. Whether it be project management or content management, you will need a development plan in place to keep your website project on time and on budget.

Navigation Design Tool

Before starting a visual design, website designers create a navigation map. In the same way that websites host a sitemap for visitors to see the content and structure of a website, a navigation map is the designer's tool to initiate the design requirements, communicate with the web development team, and consider content and technology requirements. The following link will provide you with a planning tool to build a navigation map for your website:
Introduction to Inspiration

Accessibility Resources

In the same way that you consider your visitor's response to colour and type size on signage in a museum exhibit or your audiences' ability to see and hear an interpreter on a guided tour, you need to consider the needs of your website visitor. Visitors who are visually or hearing impaired may have different needs and experiences than those visitors that are colour-blind, have language concerns, or learning barriers. Colour, contrast, type style, font size, audio, visuals, language, literacy levels, navigation, icons, and symbols each affect your visitor's experience and ability to use your website. The following accessibility principles promote good web design practices, and enhance the visitors experience and enjoyment of a website.

Accessibility

Web Accessibility Initiative
Accessibility Resources
Designing More Usable Websites

Audio Description

Testing Accessibility

Early in the development of your website, consider testing the accessibility of your design.
http://www.webaim.org/tutorials/uofa
http://www.webaim.org/tutorials/simulations/screenreader
Canadian National Institute for the Blind
Bobby Watch

Dreamweaver Extension UsableNet

Print and colour contrast

Lighthouse International - Print Legibility
Lighthouse International - Effective Colour Contrast
Vischeck

Development Stages

Project management tools and resources are readily available in the corporate and not-for-profit sectors, and many of these project management tools can be applied to website design and development projects. Consider integrating the following design stages when preparing your own website work plan.

• Defining the Project
• Purpose of the site
• Goals of the site
• Critical success factors
• Stakeholder and focus group input
• Web development team

• Concept Design
• Content preparation
• Educational methodology
• Functionality
• Technology considerations

• Production Planning
• The Project Schedule
• Calendar tools: http://www.Dreamweaver Calendar Extension
• TimeShark (Mac OS X)
• Milestones & client review
• Hours and tasks
• Project Staff -The right team: skills, availability, and vision
• Liaise with sponsors or potential donors

• Mock Ups and Prototypes
• Site maps
• Page grids
• Design prototypes
• Accessibility considerations
• Prototypes of interactive pieces and web applications
• Technology integration
• Site testing
• Stakeholder feedback
• Budget and timeline checks

• Production
• Production management
• Communication
• Document the process

• Launch
• Meta tags & URL submission to search engines
• URL promotion to internal and external stakeholders

• Maintenance
• Content updates and revisions
• Technology upgrades
• Scheduled maintenance

• Review and Evaluation
• Streamlining future process
• Web statistics
• User surveys

Planning Resources

Web style guides

Bibliography of Online Resources