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1) FINISH ASSIGNMENT #3 We hear from people who didn't get a chance to present their concept statements and key frames
2) PRESENT ASSIGNMENT #4
Ideas for adding interactive features to your web site.
3) SOME FURTHER THOUGHTS ON COPYWRITING
Consider that there are two types of writing that go into web sites:
1) Guide Copy (part of the navigational structure)
• Guide copy helps visitors find what they're after
http://www.highfive.com/core/index.html
• Guide Copy can also set the tone for the site
http://www.batman.com/main.html Choose Batshots Destination
• Naming sections creatively helps achieve both ends (and keep your metaphor flowing through your site)
http://www.klingersvoice.com
2) Primary Content (the stuff you came to talk about)
• Don't be dull
• Don't flog the metaphor to death
• Don't write too much (use chunking instead)
• Think about the mouse
• Don't make it sound like a web site
5) LOOSEN YOUR BRAIN
Where bad writing comes from:
• A bad writing environment
• Writing for the critics
• Writing under the gun
• Reading too many web sites
• Writing about the unfamiliar
• Writing about something you don't care about
6) YOUR QUESTIONS
How do you spec a webiste for a potential customer?
I believe we covered that during week one
How much does a site cost? How much should I charge?
For a site of average complexity: $50,000
For a site of high complexity and size: $300,000+
http://www.netb2b.com/cgi-bin/cgi_wpi_archive
What does it cost to keep a site up and running?
> Rule of thumb for an annual on-line budget
Development: 40%
Promotion: 40%
Maintenance: 20%
• How do I find HTML programmers? What do they cost?
> Expect to pay between $50 and $65 an hour for HTML programming.
> To find people, start by asking your ISP or hosting service. For instance:
http://www.adhost.com/pricelis.html> Don't forget that SVC teaches HTML, as do other schools. Post a notice or call the school
> HTML user groups and SIGS can be a good source for people (excellent resource links on this site, too.)
http://www.halcyon.com/seasigi/html.html
> Contract/temp services rep HTML programmers, javascript junkies, Flash authors, etc.
http://www.creativeassets.com
To what extent does it make sense for me as a creative type to learn the tools (HTML, etc) and when should I seek outside help?
It makes sense. You can rough out the pages yourself, and then be able to talk knowledgably to your programmer who will do the final tweaks and production.
Classes regularly taught at SVC:
Intro to Web Authoring
Advanced Web Authoring
Intro to Javascript
Image Prep for the Web
Intro to Flash3 and Animation
Graphic Design for the Web
Intro to Photoshop
How easy are the current editing tools now?
Find out for free:
Dreamweaver http://www.macromedia.com/software/dreamweaver/download/
NetObjects Fusion
http://www.netobjects.com/download/index.html
GoLive Cyberstudio
http://www.golive.com/three/gogetit/index.ehtml
How do I find out more about technical aspects of web authoring?
http://ds.dial.pipex.com/pixelp/wpdesign/
What are job titles for writers/editors/producers/creative directors in multi-media?
http://www.contentious.com/articles/1-11/results2.html
http://www.hotwired.com/webmonkey/98/41/index2a.html?tw=jobs
7) COURSE EVALUATIONS
Really, what did you think?