NHD-NEH Google Hangout - Websites
28 January 2014
1. The need to begin by considering your goal and planning the website out from there. Your goal should be driven by your topic , the thesis, and the relationship to the theme!!!
2. Write your story FIRST. Then build your pages/use your images to match the story you're trying to tell. Remember that items on your website must SUPPORT your THESIS!
3. Remember that websites are three dimensional - they have layers and you can delve deeper.
4. Ask the tough questions about your image - Where'd it come from? What's been done to it? - Also remember to always credit/cite your images! Remember too that if you get access to the image itself you've got a primary source but if you scan the image from a book its secondary!
5. How do you determine number of images per page? Always remember the story, your goals for it and use the best you have -- not necessarily everything you have!
6. One of the most important points of the evening (to me) was the analogy of the lawyer in court. A lawyer is trying to make a case (present/defend a thesis). To support her case she brings in witnesses. The website builder is the lawyer and the text, documents and images she/he presents on the pages are the witnesses!!! You don't have to use everything you find...just the best and most effective!
7. Setting the proper background - Remember to try to keep it simple and uncluttered - you don't want it to cause distraction -
Font, Color, Contrast, Size, Style.. Stay away from extremes. It is fun to find font invented at time but remember: Focus on content, not decoration
8. Make sure you're providing CONTEXT. Ask yourself: 'does this image/document/text effective? Does it support my thesis? Is there context?
9. Music/video can be powerful tools but you must use them strategically and selectively. Be a 'thoughtful' editor! Do NOT let the design interfere with/overwhelm the content!!!!
10. Use a well developed thesis statement to 'capture' the attention of your website viewer!