Website Design

The aim of this unit is to enable learners to understand the concepts of website design and apply their own creativity in designing and developing interactive websites. The internet is perhaps the most important IT development of the last few decades; it provides new ways to communicate and share information. It has also revolutionised the way people and businesses use IT. Businesses can now take part in a global marketplace, widening their scope for potential customers, all from a local base and with relatively low start-up costs. The need for good web designers and developers continues to grow as more and more companies realise they must develop a web presence and keep it maintained and updated. As web technologies develop, there is an increasing need for websites to be interactive. This allows two-way communication between the user and the website. The number of websites on the world wide web has increased dramatically and competition is very fierce. This means that designers must employ increasingly sophisticated techniques to capture interest, as well as ensuring that an appropriate company image is presented. Usability issues, such as navigation methods, must be considered carefully. A poorly-designed structure could result in users becoming confused or frustrated and navigating away from the website. Learners will begin this unit by evaluating existing websites, in the context of cross-platforms, range of browsers, and design features. Designing websites, which are accessible to all types of users is a fundamental aspect of any website design. This unit also considers the whole process from identification of need, design, implementation, testing, maintenance and review. It is important that learners do not just develop skills in specific techniques but are also able to select when and where they are most appropriate, basing this decision on client and user needs. As with any field of IT, a comprehensive understanding of the relevant legislation and guidelines is always fundamental.