Dear Fellow Designers,
If you find yourself approaching web design with a confused, blank stare, rest assured. With a background in print design (utilizing InDesign software), I too found the realm of digital media quite intimidating. Unlike audiences of print media, web surfers interact with text and design at increased speeds and with decreased attention span. Not only do you have a small window of opportunity by which to grab their attention, you must work even harder to keep them within your site!
Design Projects
Writing 351: Writing for the World Wide Web is a core requirement for the professsional writing track at Grand Valley State University. The course is designed to teach students about the difference between writing for print and writing for the web. The following are a list of web projects I completed throughout the winter semester of 2008:
Web Design Resources: A collection of articles and other resources for beginning, amateur, and even novice designers. From how-to to general advice and ideas, this collection of resources can be useful to help solve problems or generate ideas.
Brochure: Dedicated to the Grand Valley Student Reading Series, this page converts the genre of the brochure to that of web design.
Short Assignment 1: A simple web-page the demonstrates concepts of good web design.
Website Redesign: Using the knowledge we have gained so far with regard to web layout and content, we worked in pairs to redeisgn an existing web site with several major design flaws.
Personal Website: In an attempt to explore content management systems, I have used the more recently popular Drupal software to create a website for the business that I hope to one day own.
Why Study Design?
To many college students, the proverbial question "What are you studying?" comes as no surprise. For professonal writing students; however, the answer to this question results in wrinkled eyebrows, confused glares, and the long "Huhhhhh?" Professional writing requires a brief explanation with narrative and examples before individuals bob their head in acknowledgement and say, "So you want to be a journalist and work for a newspaper."
"No...."
Professional writing is much more than rhetoric. While professional writers learn to communicate with various audiences and under various circumstances, they also learn about how an audience will react with and respond to a particular text or document. This is where design becomes vitally important. Rhetoric is only useful if you can get the audiences attention and spark interest at what the document has to say.
I have always been a "do-it-yourselfer," creating flyers and brochures for family businesses. Sure, I thought they looked ok, but next to a professional document they stood out, screaming "don't look at me!" I'll even go so far as to admit that I am less inclined to examine a document, or take it seriously, if it looks homemade. This is why I think it's helpful for any individual to gain even a little knowledge about design principles. Even if you're not a professional writing or graphic design student, you never know when you'll find the need to create a professional, eye-catching document, be it print or electronic media. The "CRAP" model is easy to understand and can be used to convert "homemade" into "homefabulous."
About Me
I was born in a small town in Northern Michigan: Alanson (yet surprisingly, we have a website). Alanson is home to the smallest swing bridge and the Hillside Gardens.
I chose to study at Grand Valley State University for several reasons; however, it was the professional writing program that solidified my decision. Two years prior to my admission, Grand Valley separated the English and writing departments. Many other universitites offered two-year degrees in writing, but I wanted the four year education.
I will graduate in May of 2008 with a bachelor's degree in professional writing with an accompanying minor in advertising and public relations. Upon graduation I will be moving to Petoskey, Michigan where I will be getting married in August. While I will be pursuing public relations and writing opporutinities, I would utlimately love to work as a freelance writer/designer. One day I hope to own my own business designing and printing custom wedding invitations.