Developing a designp g g

The AFAO Website Redevelopment

About AFAOAbout AFAO

The working groupThe working group

• Five staff representing the three main teams at AFAO• Five staff representing the three main teams at AFAO –Education, Policy and Admin

• Members / stakeholders were invited but not interested in being involved – it was too big a time commitment

• The group met regularly while developing the design b i f th t i til h d t t t h i ibrief, then not again until we had to start choosing images for the site build.

• I also had additional meetings and brainstorms with the gCommunications Officer.

• Executive Director delegated authority to the group.

How to brief the designer?How to brief the designer?

“Th AFAO l b di l d i h“The AFAO logo must be displayed in the banner, but in all other respects a complete refresh of current visuals is required We arerefresh of current visuals is required. We are seeking a clean, simple, contemporary design.”g

Developing the briefingDeveloping the briefing

I f ti d t l t th d i• Information you need to supply to the designer– Information Architecture

• Wireframes navigation sitemapWireframes, navigation, sitemap

– Major influences on your design• Style, brand, competitor sites, target audience

– Design Specifics• Colours, fonts, images, animation

Technical Issues– Technical Issues• Screen resolution, tools, accessibility

What we wantWhat we want

clean easy to navigateclean easy to navigateauthoritative reassuring up to date

innovative trustworthyinnovative trustworthy‘rooted in real lives’ clear

t ibl accurate accessible mature, not conservative human

li ht l tt d warm light uncluttered balanced optimistic

What we don’t wantWhat we don t want

• corporate• corporate• cold• modular• modular• dark• dour• dour• funky• busybusy• animated menus • too many competing moving graphicsy p g g g p

Things we likeThings we like ….

Choosing coloursChoosing colours

http://www.colorcombos.com/

Some feedback on our proposalsSome feedback on our proposals“I really like the blue green orange one I think it makes itI really like the blue, green, orange one. I think it makes it

bright and engaging and still allows for some warmth and other tones that can be used for highlights etc. I like the blues one as well, though I don't think that allows for the , gcontrasts/ highlights that the blue, green, orange one does.”

“I'm not particularly fussed either way though I do like the softer colours.”

“Definitely charcoal and brights is my choice, earthy and expressive!”

Decision timeDecision time

C l t d d i b i f• Completed design brief• Meeting with Squiz• Consider functionality• Still trying to decide on colourStill trying to decide on colour• Conservative or ‘out there’?

t d i k= two design mockups.

Surveying the membersSurveying the members• Which concept do you prefer? (Tick 1 only)Which concept do you prefer? (Tick 1 only)

– Concept 1 – Concept 2 – chocolate – Concept 2 – light background

• Did you prefer this concept with or without the AFAO logo? – With– WithoutWithout– Indifferent

• Name 3 things you like about your most preferred option

• Suggest 3 improvements or changes that you think might make the concept better

Nearly thereNearly there …

C lt ti ith t k h ld• Consultation with stakeholders• Review design options• Choosing the best of both• Tweaking, tweaking ….Tweaking, tweaking ….

Lessons learnedLessons learned

l lik f l i l d d• People like to feel included• Design is a fun way to engage people • If staff weren’t engaged with the website before this• If staff weren t engaged with the website before, this

could be a way to get them interested.• Be clear about the time commitment• Know the culture of your organisation & work with it• Structure stakeholder involvement around

i i lorganisational events– E.g. Give regular updates at staff meetings

• Having a side-kick helps a lotHaving a side kick helps a lot

Feedback on the processFeedback on the processI thought the process was really well done. There was consultation from theI thought the process was really well done. There was consultation from the start, but without huge time impositions. The times that did take longer were done in a way so people wanted to engage with the process and contribute. –Ben, staff

I am glad to have had the opportunity to have a saying in how the website of the organisation for which I am working is going to function and look like. I am also glad that I had an opportunity to learn how complex the website redevelopment process is. – Danica, staff (design working group)

I found the AFAO website development project process engaging and consultative - from the formative early development consultations and then later in the design phase. The process was participatory (inviting) with clear

i i d j l i Fi AFAO bcommunications and project clarity. Fiona, AFAO member

ThanksThanks

www.afao.org.au

web@afao.org.au