Observations| Possibilities| The Elements of Digital Design

Blog Hunt Observations

• Sometimes we have to get past our initial preferences (for color, for instance, or for aesthetic appeal) to scroll down--to give the blog a chance beyond the first screen.
• Initial visual impact is important.
• Titles can help our readers to get into our sites.
• We use different monitor sizes, so we MUST pay attention to what visitors see per screenload.
• Architecture is important: what role does text play, for instance?
• Short, sweet, and layered = good!
• We like links.
• Take advantage of multiple layers: video, text, links, graphics, catchy titles ("Lose 30 Pounds in 30 Days")
  
• Update cycle matters. If the blogger has lost interest, then why should visitors stay? Find ways to reveal our attention, our interaction/engagement with the site we've launched.
• Maybe if we have launched and then abandoned a site we've outgrown, find a way to explain / contextualize the site for readers.
• Comments grant life.
• Elementary sites offer lots of pictures of the students; high school sites offer a picture of the teacher and lots of announcements/work. Why? Maybe elementary school is focused on students but high school is more focused on subjects/curriculum?
  
• We really do like images. And color. It's true.
• People who blog read other people's blogs.
• We are intrigued by the idea of blogs as community builders and/or representatives.
• We appreciate when blogs link / open to related blogs.
• The writing is critical.
• Write like ourselves, and make sure we write only when we have something to say, when we have something worth saying, worth reading.
• If we are going to be bloggers, we should probably also read other blogs.
• It's true: we do like to interact: commenting, following links.
• We need to embrace the need/drive/interest in personalization--in the pretty play.
• Blogs are multi-modal.

ATI2009 Blog Possibilities--We Can Start as Many as We Want

• Modest Tech Project Blog
• Modest Tech Project Workshop Blog
• ATI2009 Blog
• Personal Blog (maybe we should start with this one before we try one)
  
• Classroom Blog
• Cooking Blog
• Hobby Blog
• Gardening Blog
• Reality TV Blog ;)
  
• More

The Elements of Digital Design

• Have a concept: communicate a message
• Communicate--don't decorate
• Speak with one visual voice
• Use two typefaces maximum--or maybe three
• Show one thing first
• Negative space is magical
• Treat type as an image
• Be universal--it's not about you
• Squish and separate: create rhythms
• Distribute light and dark
• Be decisive
• Make what you need; don't scavenge
• Ignore fashion
• Move it: static = dull
• Symmetry is the ultimate evil--or be conscious of symmetry and asymmetry
• Appreciate code and what it can do
• Be clear about the purpose of the site
• Speed is something that means good
  
• Remember basic design concepts
  
• Create page layouts that have clear and strong concepts
• Use restraint in color schemes
• Make text readable
• Proofread and test site
• Do not clutter with annoying or moving stuff
• Threes are better than twos; odds are generally better than evens
• Remember the rule of thirds
  
• More stuff I was too slow to capture