MIT Website

MIT Website

Dislikes:

• Lack of contact information on first page è lack of shortcuts for users.
• Lack of Statement of Mission. No introductory of what MIT is about on first page
• The seven subheadings are not in alphabetically order.
• I think that the first page should give the Overview of the MIT program
• There is a need for tabs in the first page that will decrease the browsing time users have to do in order to get to one link.
• Although the contents in the Home page are filled, there are lots of spacing in the paragraphs. I feel like we can condense the spacing of each paragraph and work with the positioning of each paragraph to create a more inviting feeling.
• I don't like the two panels.
• The message regarding accepting application does not bring any attention. Users have to look hard at the website in order to see the message.
  The current student link does not take you anywhere.
  
  Likes:
• I like the consistency of the MIT logo on each page.
• No matter what tab users click on, they always have the accessibility to the site links on the right
• I think that we should turn those site links into tab because tabs can trigger attention faster than links.

From Prospective Student's Perspective:

1. Request Information
2. Admission Requirements
3. Tuition and Fee
4. Important Dates
5. Application for Admission
6. Online Application
7. Application checklist
8. Application status
9. About MIT program (class requirements)

*There are some of the things I think i would be intersted in look as a prospective student

NOTES ON INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE

Questions to consider:

• What does it say about the process of designing a Web Site?
• Where does Information Architecture fit in?

Notes:

• During the process of creating a web page layout ==> we must define its information architecture
• Information Architecture: is a blueprint for the site's information delivery, organization, and functionality. Also, IA deals with the structuring, the relation, the connectivity, and logical organization of the website.

Layout task (Sequential Order)

• Brainstorming
• Thumbnails==> draws small images according to brainstorming ideas
• Comprehenseive layout stage==> determining margin, spaces
• Graphic production

To me, Information Architecture process fit in the Thumbnails stage. Here are the 6 steps in IA

1. Define site's goals
2. Define Audience
3. Create and organize content
4. Formulate visual presentation concept
5. Develop site map and navigation
6. Design and produce visual forms

Second Meeting

Thurday, January 17, 2008
Overview of Meeting:

• Look at www.terry.uga.edu/MIT
• Things wanted to see from the perspective of Prospective Students, Current Students, Corporate Recruiters, etc...
• Reading in Information Architect section in Wang's book

INITIAL MEETING

Friday, Jan 11, 2008
Overview of meeting:

Dr. Piercy and I came to a conclusion that I will be working with him on the MIT program website for my independent study course. We decided to start the website from scratch, starting from defining what are the necessary components/contents (tabs, links, subpages, etc..) and organizing the website layout to creating a website with professionalism and usability.