week 11

1. What did our readings say about these colors?

Although I originally planned to incorporate light yellow into my page, so far my page is only dark pink, white, black and grey. These colors strongly impact how viewers perceive my site because while black and white barely hold attention, colors are much more effective. This made me realize that if I want to keep my black and white design, it's important to realize what I have in color, as that will be a focal point.

1. How do some of these color meanings relate - or not - to what you want your site to do?

These color meanings relate to my site because I need to learn how to attract my audience's attention and invoke certain feelings. The article about the "Business of Blue" made me realize that I am glad I didn't make just a plain blue site.

1. What was an interesting result to one or more of the colors you have chosen?

I learned that black and white is not really stored in our brains as well as color, which makes me question if that means my site will not be stored as well. However, I think I want to keep my black and white color scheme with the dark pink accent because I like how clean black looks.

1. Has your ideas about your color scheme changed or not because of our readings? Explain.

It has changed because I am now thinking the light yellow I planned on using wouldn't fit in very well.

FINISHED

There seems to be no greater moment of happiness or feelings of sheer accomplishment than when I hit "submit" and turn in another module. Considering that about a week ago, I had no idea what I was doing with Mod 4 and most of the changes that I made in the first week didn't even get saved, I can't believe the progress that I made. I successfully made two attractive pages for my portfolio and just finished my paper. I am actually excited to see how the portfolio will come together now that I understand it better. Now for a much needed mental break until it all begins again!

mod 4

Mod 4 is still confusing me but I'm making progress. I can't believe how much writing the paper has helped give me direction. Even though my site was finished, beginning the paper showed me what I would write about when it was finished so I knew what to focus on in class or in the library, where I have access to Dreamweaver. I am also relieved to learn that I can leave the latin that the template came with, I thought that I would have to have a completed index page and secondary page, but now I realize learning how to alter CSS is more of the goal. This has also helped me feel much more confident about the final project which I was already dreading and stressed about.

class week 10

1) In the reading, "Design Decisions vs. Audience Considerations," Ragle - Davis states that, "If you know who your target audience is, you can tailor your site’s look and feel, content, and action areas to appeal to your audience and draw them in. If you know what your site visitors want, you can use that information to mutual benefit." She then proceeds to walk through an example of a site for a political candidate by illustrating her knowledge of who the audience is and what they want. How would you answer this for your final project site?

-In reading this article, I was able to grasp the importance of tailoring my website to my audience. As Davis mentions, if my users don't easily find what they're looking for and become engaged with my site then it does not serve its purpose. Since I know my audience's intention, I realize it will be important to provide contact information for myself. I think I will have one page that is a homepage and then my second page will either be contact info or a sample page of my writing but I'm not sure what writing would be appropriate to choose.

mod 4

I've made some progress with mod 4. Although I am still extremely confused when it comes to the CSS I guess I will just try and figure that out in class tomorrow. I started writing my paper which helped give me more guidance on how to create my webpage, even though it's not finished. It helped me realize where I need to focus my work (primary users, primary purposes). I am looking forward to mod 4 being done with because I feel very overwhelmed and under qualified when it comes to CSS!

write up

There is a lot of progress I need to make regarding Mod 4. I need to figure out my content for the final site and make sure that it applies. I also need to figure out how to work the templates because every time I save them they seem to be empty folders. I am starting to get frustrated with Mod 4 because I feel like I'm making no progress and don't really understand it but I guess it will just take reading over the explanation a few more times.

mod 4

I am also curious as to if I should be creating sites for my portfolio or updating my mod 3 sites but I'm thinking it makes more sense to create mod 4 sites for my portfolio since those will require less work in the end results. Considering my mod 3 was about Justin Bieber, that really won't benefit my mod 4 progress or final site. I guess this is another thing I will figure out tomorrow!

mod 4

I am having some difficulties with mod 4. I'm confused as to where to start but i think once a choose two templates I will feel better about it. I looked for a lot yesterday but most seemed ugly and childish so I hope I can find some that I like and will represent my portfolio well. However, I don't really know where to go once I choose the templates and have to apply that to the actual mod 4 but I suppose I will figure that out in class tomorrow!

week 9

1) What are 3 things you have learned about CSS? These can based on your prior knowledge or what you gained from the our readings that dealt with CSS, but please indicate your source.
- I have learned that CSS can enhance a presentation by making it look more professional with style sheets
- I have also learned that CSS can consistently control factors such as color, size, text width, and typeface.
- Lastly, I learned that you can create rules in CSS

2) Why is CSS helpful for web authors? Try and link this to details from the chapters we have read earlier in Zeldman.

-CSS is helpful to web authors because it creates a consistency throughout sub pages of a website. This is more professional because it is more user friendly. This also helps create a standard compliant website.

3) What are two things to always remember when you are using style sheets for your design and why are they important tips?

-When using style sheets, it is important to remember to use the tag SPAN at the beginning and end of attributes to the style sheet. Also, you must edit your style sheet in .css format and it will show up and be applied to .html documents.

Post the link for at least one of the two tentative cascading style sheets you intend to use for your Module 4 assignment - if you are designing both on your own give a short description of the basic structure of the design. After your link answer the following questions:

I am having trouble finding templates that are attractive and free, but so far I like these ones: (although I'm confused as to if I can change the pictures)

http://www.csstemplatesforfree.com/previewcsstemplate.aspx?csstemplateName=veggie

http://www.csstemplatesforfree.com/previewcsstemplate.aspx?csstemplateName=swanky

http://www.csstemplatesforfree.com/previewcsstemplate.aspx?csstemplateName=quadrangle

http://www.csstemplatesforfree.com/previewcsstemplate.aspx?csstemplateName=flowery

http://www.csstemplatesforfree.com/previewcsstemplate.aspx?csstemplateName=tropical

4) How does this style sheet relate to your site's purpose? Give examples and be specific.

-This style sheet relates to my site's purpose because they have many tabs where I could showcase my work and are for the most part, visually appealing.

5) How does this style sheet relate to your main users? Give examples and be specific.

-This relates to my users because there is room for contact info so that ease of use is created for the user.

6) What do you intend on making different with your choice for your second style sheet? How will it illustrate a different set of design principles or address your purpose and/or users in a way that this first one is not? This is the key to Module 4 so really think about this. If you don't know yet, state that, but think about what are you going to do to be ABLE to answer this!

- I don't really know yet. To figure this out I will have to look into Mod 4 and work on my first style sheet and once I have that established I'll know how to alter my second style sheet.

sample pages

Well, today I learned how to edit CSS. It was confusing at first but I think I was able to grasp how the .css page affected the .html page. However, I wasn't able to complete my third sample page which would have a template because the stuff it expander wouldn't let me download the new version that was needed. I don't really understand templates or where I will paste that on my new page but I guess I'll learn soon. It was helpful to see the webpage that my classmates had created since I really don't grasp CSS. I feel behind and like everyone knows what they're doing but I'm sure it will become more clear. So, I guess that will have to wait till after spring break! I also was able to add these new links to my original index page. This will probably be my last post until after spring break so farewell!

on to the next one.. mod 4?

I guess it's time to actually start thinking about my final site project. I think I want to start my professional writing portfolio since that seems like the smart thing to do.. since it is my major and will be helpful for future jobs and internships. However, I think I need to spend some time understanding it because I'm completely lost right now and have no idea what I'll put on this website. I am hoping I can find an attractive template, I seem to be rather web-design challenged. I don't want to put off my site plan until I get back from spring break so hopefully I can start it this week. However, I have four exams wednesday and an essay exam the next day so I'm not sure if I'll have the time to start on it that I want to. All I can think about is leaving the arctic land of Michigan and being on the beach in Naples, FL!

mod 3

I finished mod 3! I'm concerned that I didn't use the correct Zeldman readings after talking to Teagan today but I hope mine still apply. Also, I hope that using "A List Apart" still applied. I'm happy to be done with my paper, and got my grade back on Mod 2 and did well so I'm happy because I put a lot of time into it.

mod 3

I am still working on mod 3 but I'm almost done. I'm actually glad the paper was assigned because I think it gave me room to discuss my website and point out things that wouldn't be noticed by just looking at it. For example, my audience and purpose discussion were explaining thoroughly in my paper and that most likely wouldn't have been picked up on by just reading the site. I was also glad that I was able to tie in the "A List Apart" article about the value of homepages. I wish I knew how to do more on dreamweaver and also wish that my computer in the lab wouldn't crash every time I open it!