MM1111 - DESIGN LAYOUT AiCASD Summer 2007 Instructor: Laura Cesari Contact: lcesari@aii.edu OR laura.cesari@gmail.com Week 2: Topics: Layout Grids, Web Layout Schemes & Considerations Lab / In-class activity: Using the Guides & Grid in Adobe Software Work due this week: Site Design Analysis Homework for next week: Corporate Client Analysis & 1 Complete Design Composition Assignment #2: Corporate Client Design Analysis & 1 Composition (10pts) For the next 2 weeks, you will be working with a corporate client, striving to look Serious, Businesslike, Up-to-date, and Successful. This week, define your client, find inspirational examples, and create a design composition. Choose one of the following clients: - Law Firm - Medical or Dental Office - Architecture Firm - Real Estate Agency Part 1: Define Your Client 1) Name: 2) Type of business: 3) Collect 5 images that fit with your client's Theme. Part 2: Style Research & Analysis A) Collect 3 Screenshots: (Good Examples) Research sites of the same business category as your client. For example, if your client is a Law Firm, look up other Law Firms. Find 3 sites that impress you, and take a screenshot of each site. B) Analysis: Describe the following for each site: 1) Color palette (monochromatic, analogous, bright, subdued, etc.) 2) Fonts (simple, elegant, artistic, rough, clean, light, bold, etc.) 3) Emphasis & Hierarchy (What do you notice first? second? third?) 4) Strengths: What makes this site great? What is working well? 5) Inspiration: What in this design inspires you? What aspects do you hope to bring to your client? Part 3: Create 1 Digital Design Composition for your Client's Homepage Create a design composition using Photoshop or Illustrator. Turn in your design as a .jpg, .png, or .pdf file. Content: Include the following: - Company Name and Logo - Imagery relating to the company's theme. - Navigation Menu with at least 5 navigation categories. - Text: Company Mission Statement, Slogan, News, or Welcome Message. Style Guidelines: "Corporate Minimal" 1) Color: Subdued, minimal color palette: - White and Gray with Dark or Pastel accent color - Minimal use of Saturated Bright colors - Main Information Area should have a white or light-colored background 2) Fonts: Simple, legible fonts: - Classic or Minimalist fonts for Large Text in Header & Titles. - Simple, Legible font for small print content. - Dark text on light background for small print content. 3) Shapes: Linear, Clean and Simple - Rectangular shapes, right angles. - Thin, simple, elegant lines. - No curves, or minimal use of curve: smooth, regular curves or round edges. 4) Accessibility: All users - Site should be maximum of 800 pixels wide - Display your site in a "browser chrome" border Grading: 10 points total Part 1: The Client __ Define Your Client __ Collect 5 stock images that fit with the client's theme Part 2: Style Research & Analysis __ Collect 3 good examples (screenshots) __ Analysis of 3 good examples Part 3: Design Composition __ All required content is present, design is turned in as a .jpg, .png, or .pdf file. __ Emphasis: Site has a relevant "first read" that draws your attention __ Imagery is relevant to company theme __ Linear Grid, Simple Shapes __ Subdued, Minimal Color Palette __ Fonts: Classic, Minimal, Legible __ Total out of 10 points

Week 1 - (July.12-13) Week 2 - (July.19-20) Week 3 - (July.26-27) Week 4 - (Aug.2-3) Week 5 - (Aug.9-10) Week 6 - (Aug.16-17) Week 7 - (Aug.23-24) Week 8 - (Aug.30-31) Week 9 - (Sept.6-7) Week 10 - (Sept.13-14) Week 11 - (Sept.20-21)