Design Process
What is the Design Process?
Throughout the history of the
web and the sites it has, the design process responsible for these
sites has become a very crucial part in creating them. The design
process can be defined as a series of steps that web designers use to
professionally develop web sites. These steps are usually used as
guidelines for the web design process.
"Practice safe design: use a concept."
-Petrula Vrontikis
Orientation/Research
This step in the design process is the first main
step to begin designing a website. In this step the developer and
client meet to discuss many of the crucial aspects to the website. The
client tells the developer background information and needs for the
website while the developer explains a creative briefing. Also in this
step the client and developer begin research and problem searches.
Strategy
This next step in the design process is
very important because it helps to outline how the remainder of the
website will be developed. In this step the developer does a lot of
planning for the website by creating design criteria, media delivery
methods and the design layout. After all of the development the
designer presents it to the client
Development
In this step the developer begins to create
the client-approved website design. Often times the developer will make
two or more designs in order to have one approved by the client. Once
the design is approved, the developer will refine it to meet any needs
or changes
Refinement
This step is important because it allows
the developer to take the approved website design and critique it to
fit the clients requests and comments. This step is directly influenced
by the initial design because most of the refinements come from
problems found during development. Sometimes in order to secure success
the developer will test the design with often-additional refinements.
Manufacture/Launch
This is one of the final steps in the
design process. This step is where the developer turns over most of the
project to others who will turn the design into a web site. The
developer always supervises this step and makes sure there are no fatal
errors. Typically after the launch of the site there will be ongoing
maintenance and any additions can be made.