The Design Process

I approach a site design using a time-tested design process. The sites I’ve done that have turned out best are always the result of three words: planning, planning, planning. Here’s how it works in ten steps:

  1. Once we’ve established all contractual negotiations, I start with requirements-gathering and learn about specific elements important to the client: audience, content, technical requirements.
  2. I’ll then draw out a basic information and navigation architecture – more for myself but I may ask for a review from the client.
  3. If a logo is needed I’ll create that at an additional cost. If the client has their own logo, they will have to present it prior to the start of my process. I may or may not accept the work depending on the quality of the logo and how easily I can create a professional quality Web site around it. If I create the logo for the client, it is the first graphical element I create since, again, it is crucial to the site’s look and feel.
  4. Once there is consensus on the logo, I’ll sketch the layout on paper and convert it into a wireframe image (via Photoshop). I’ll then create more detailed graphical composites of the look and feel of the site that I’ll send to the client for approval.
  5. When we’ve made a final decision on the design, I’ll code the site. I approach this in a couple of ways: I will either create the site using the PHP programming language with most of the work done in XHTML and CSS. Or I’ll use design a theme in Wordpress, a free blogging software that also serves a wonderful content management system. It enables “non-technical” users to make their own site updates.
  6. During this process (and preferably during the first five steps of The Design Process), the client starts gathering their own materials they’d like to have on the site: multimedia (high res photos, audio, video); written materials (biography, contact info, press information); links to other resources off-site, etc.

    The best way to deliver these if they’re online: send the links to all materials in ONE document or email with a title and description of each. If they’re on your computer: send them in ONE zipped folder to me. If the folder is too large, you will have to burn it to a CD and mail or hand it to me in person.

  7. I will also have the client set up a hosting account if they don’t have their own (usually with GoDaddy since their site is somewhat simple to use and they have pretty good customer service). They will assign me as an administrator (Account Executive in GoDaddy’s terms) of the site. This way, the hosting account is in the customer’s hands and they have ultimate control over their secure information, but I can set up the web site, database connections, make revisions, etc.
  8. After I’ve completed the markup and have a template ready, I’ll usually post a test site for review as a working prototype. If we’re using Wordpress, we can’t post content until we have a hosting account for the client.
  9. We’ll then review the site, and have invitees take a look and give feedback. This is the guerrilla method of user testing. If there’s time and money in our process, of course, it is highly recommended to learn much more about who the actual users of the site will be. User research is critical to “getting your site right” and for having objective standards to evaluate the effectiveness of the site.
  10. I usually offer in the contract a number of days that I will avail myself to the client to make any updates to the site. We can also discuss ongoing site maintenance if that is a preference, though I try to set up the Content Management System to be as easy to use as possible.

And that’s the process. If you have more questions or are interested in my services, let me know.