This promotional website is targeted to many groups of people. Some of these are potential Digital Arts students, local businesses and employers looking for skilled graduates, present students in the Digital Arts programs and beyond, family and friends of the display creators, faculty, and even the NWTC Marketing Team looking for media materials for promotions. With that large of a demographic, it is important to present a design that aims at all of them. I believe my design supports this broad audience and contains the information necessary to promote this event quite well. Every page contains event details, displaying the place and time. There is even a contact page and an interactive map to be sure that visitors are prepared to make the trip. For those interested in the various programs presented at the display, there are links to pages that provide more information about each program. There is an archives page where users can view past showcase events along with links to portfolio pages, giving users a sneak peek into the created works of the featured students.
What is the message?
How does the design support the message?
The primary message is to invite people to attend the Digital Arts Showcase along with showing support to the Digital Arts Graduates. On the homepage, the title is clearly displayed, "NWTC Fall 2023 Digital Arts Showcase". The card layout right on the front page displays the 4 different areas that will be featured at the showcase along with important scheduling details added to every page. The contact page with the interactive map provides visitor with the ease of planning their evening travel to the event. The featured graduates are supported by providing a platform for them to display their portfolios while engaging the public to come and view their hard work.
What is the goal?
How does the design support the goal?
The goal for the website is to act as a marketing tool for this event. Not only for the students themselves, but also for the college as a method of recruitment toward the next generation of students. The goal is to put forward content that is engaging to the targets. Providing a well designed website that helps bring visitors to the Showcase, supports these goals. This website offers a cohesive interface that is pleasant for viewing. The contrasts are accessible and attractive at the same time. The content is just enough to encourage interest, though not so much that it is overwhelming.
What are the Calls-to-Action?
How does the design support the Calls-to-Action?
The Calls to Action are stylized so the buttons are clear at all stages; inactive, hover, and active. The buttons in the top navigation are styled (opposite colors) differently then the buttons on the cards. This helps the user to see that, although they are all buttons, they are grouped into different types of categories. I also added small SVG icon to all the buttons contained in the cards on every page. This way, it is easy for the user to identify which program is connected with the button. Incidentally, I have kept these icons consistent through the site graphic representations of each of the 4 programs.
Design Summary
Design Choices
Layout:
The overall layout for the site works cohesively. The styling is consistent, yet each page offers it's own form of interest. I would like to draw attention to the "Showcase Details" area of each page. This item struck me by surprise in the design... which is often how good design happens for me. The animation of this element really brings interest into the space but even more, it really draws attention to the place and time, even though it's on the bottom of the page. It's is almost saying, "Hey! Look here! This is really important!", and really, for this event, that information is very important!
Colors:
The colors came into being through the chosen photos for each program. I set out ahead of time with the intension of making this part of the homepage cohesive. I believe the photos really layed out a great color pallet for the entire site. The contrasts are will in range, it is not too busy, but is fun at the same time.
Typography:
Typography is a like a joyful playground for me. Finding the perfect one for any design is a labor of love. Once I learned how to use Google Fonts, I dug deep to find exactly what I was looking for. I think the font I chose, called "Grandstander" is a perfect pairing for the san-serif copy text and the hand drawn elements contained in the card artwork. Incidentally, the creator of this typeface is Tyler Finck and according to Google, he is a prolific and polyvalent designer, artist, and musician. I think that is an appropriate creator to be featured on this website, designed to promote other creators of similar interests.