At aim54 we implement a simple but powerful process in all areas of design. Although tailored toward website design, this process likewise applies to graphic design, audio and video production, or any other area in which a clear progression of design, creation and implementation is required. Our process is broken down into five specific areas or focuses, each of which clearly delineates our creative process and sets definitive goals to be achieved.
aim54's 5–step Design Process:
1. Focus on Content...
The first stage of the design process – Focus on Content – seems as if it would be the easiest, but can be the most difficult and is, as it turns out, the most important of the 5 steps. Deciding what information the client would like to present on the internet/intranet, what format(s) they want to present it in, who they want to have access to which information – all of these factors have to be considered in the Focus on Content.
Sound like a lot to take in and a lot of things to already have figured out? It isn't. Think of this as a big consultation meeting where we're figuring out what information needs to be created, edited or collected; what formatting needs to happen and what the various purposes for the presentation and dissemination of the information and overall, the website, will be. You don't have to have all the answers figured out before beginning this process – not at all. Part of our job is asking you the questions and presenting ideas to help you achieve the results you want.
Wherever you may be don't worry; we can get you there from here. Know exactly what you want and how you want it presented? That just means the process will go a little faster. Or if all you know is that you want a business logo or a website, that's certainly a good place to start.
2. Focus on Design...
Now that we've figured out the what of what you would like to create, we can start to focus on the how. In the Focus on Design step we're taking your vision and creative direction to derive a product which reflects your individual or company's unique desires, feel and impression. Deciding how to design, layout and present information is every bit as challenging as deciding what information to present.
We'll take questions into account such as:
- What sort of feel/impression/presence is desired in the design?
- Who is the primary target audience for the design?
- What visual/psychological cues affect the layout of the design?
- If there are any special needs requirements such and audio/video or Flash design, database (MySQL) integration or other external source inputs, how will they be integrated to meet all of the above concerns?
These questions and more will be addressed during the Focus on Design. If graphic design is a part of the client needs, this is also the stage in which the actual design(s) will be created and sent to the client for approval/modification.
3. Focus on Development...
All of the preparation, planning and consideration that were put into the first two focuses come together in the third, the Focus on Development. In this focus we do exactly what the name implies – we develop the website by implementing the design in code. Your website is not simply thrown together in whatever WYSIWYG editor is trendy. Your side will be personally coded (with comments) by us for a completely custom site design and tested for compliance on multiple browsers across multiple platforms.
"Why code yourself" you ask? There are many reasons – we can comment the code for later editing, we can customize and cross–code for different browsers and operating systems (and clients!), we can generate clean, concise and standards–compliant code (WYSIWYG editors are known for exporting an extraordinary amount of unnecessary and extraneous code), and lastly – well heck it's just plain fun!
We currently offer coding in the following languages:
- XHTML w/CSS 2.0
- JavaScript
- Perl (CGI scripting)
- PHP/MySQL (eCommerce, Shopping Carts, user registration, etc.)
4. Focus on Deployment...
We've come along way now – from deciding what to how to actually creating and now we're ready for the next big milestone – the deployment of the site to the World Wide Web. In this focus we'll be selecting a domain name and setting up your domain (website) hosting. Once we have those taken care of it will be time to upload your website and watch it begin its active life as a functioning part of the internet community!
If some of the above phrases sound like Ancient Latin to you, have no fear – aim54's staff will be there to explain (in as much or as little detail as you can tolerate) what everything means and how it all works every step of the way. If you already own your domain name or have your own hosting arrangements, that's great! When we reach Focus on Deployment we'll simply turn the site over to you!
During the deployment focus we'll also be doing some things like submitting your site to the major search engines (Yahoo!, Google), setting up your personal email accounts through your website and verifying that everything on your site is working exactly as it should be.
5. Focus on Upkeep...
Ah, the upkeep of a website. While the earlier focuses all had definitive goals and finite timeframes for completion, the final focus, Focus on Upkeep, will last until the day you shut your site down. This final focus has to do with the week–to–week, month–to–month and year–to–year maintenance of your website, as well as any updates which you choose to make.
Maintenance? Updates? Yes, maintenance is an important aspect of a website's existence - occasionally one does need to check up on the routine operation of a site, for any reason from traffic analysis to reported problems. In addition, depending on the nature of your website, periodic updates may be a very important requirement of your site's web presence. Updates can be made anytime a client wishes, and could range from a weekly or monthly text or image change to a daily update of schedules, news, events, images, etc., or a yearly re–design of the entire website.
Whatever your needs, the team at aim54 is here for you!
