To Creativity and Beyond

It’s great to volunteer. It’s even greater when you can actively contribute and see progress. It becomes the icing on a very delicious and big cake when concepts that are being taught and learned in class are getting put in to practice. On Monday morning, I learned the essential components of building a website. On Monday afternoon, I was applying them to establishing a new website for Lauderdale House. It was clear that this was going to be a lengthy process. Since the charity had only a handful of employees, all opinions were to be considered while still taking in to account our varied target market. The mock website definitely had some issues to tackle. After a lecture on clear and organized e-marketing and website development, the mock up was anything but. Duplicate menus, random pictures, and jumbled information filled the screen. The clear message in the morning was to create clear information and to create value and simple accessibility. By showing the manager my notes and scheduling a meeting with an e-marketing expert, I was able to sway her towards less content and, most importantly, less menus. Furthermore, we came to the conclusion that an option to sign up for a mailing list is essential. According to Reynolds (2002) within the e-marketing issue of the Arts Marketing Association, it essential to establish a relationship with the user as part of your strategy. By providing users with an option to sign up, it not only builds a long lasting relationship, but also makes an individual feel as if he or she is in control of the information they receive.
As a website user, it is interesting to see the actual making and the mindset behind developing something most look at as a simple concept. However, when handling designs, menus, a manager, and a designer, it becomes anything but simple. Needless to say, I've developed a new found respect for website design!

Reynolds, M., (2002). There are Some People You Just Click With. JAM, [Online]. 6, p.10-11.
Available at: http://www.a-m-a.org.uk/publications_detail.asp?id=9 [Accessed 17 November 2009].