Two Girls + A Guy

3/0 Weekly Status Report

2010-03-09T19:46:00.001-08:00

Weekly Status Report & Scheduling

Usability Report

2010-03-09T18:29:00.000-08:00

Usability Report

2/23 Weekly Status Report

2010-03-01T17:27:00.000-08:00

Weekly Status Report & Scheduling

Technical Design & Content Matrix

2010-02-23T16:30:00.000-08:00

Content Matrix

Style Guide & Usability Test & Prototype

2010-02-23T15:23:00.001-08:00

Style Guide

Usability Test

Link to Prototype

2/16 Weekly Status Report

2010-02-16T17:30:00.001-08:00

Weekly Status Report & Scheduling

Final Visual Design

2010-02-15T17:05:00.000-08:00

2/10 Weekly Status Report

2010-02-11T11:17:00.000-08:00

Weekly Status Report & Scheduling

2/2 Weekly Status Report

2010-02-09T17:31:00.000-08:00

Weekly Status Report & Scheduling

Site map, Wireframes, Process Flows

2010-02-09T17:17:00.000-08:00

Site Map

Home Wireframe

Performances Wireframe

Classes Wireframe

Spaces Wireframe

Dance Community Members Wireframe

Grants Wireframe

Auditions Wireframe

Publications Wireframe

Dance Professionals Wireframe

About Atlanta Dances Wireframe

Contact Atlanta Dance Members Wireframe

Contact Atlanta Dance Wireframe

Membership Form Process Flow

Email Sign-Up Process Flow

Comparative Analysis & Business Requirements

2010-02-09T17:03:00.000-08:00

Dance NYC & Atlanta Performs

Atlanta Dances

Philadelphia

Business Requirements

Personas & Scenarios

2010-02-09T16:23:00.000-08:00

Senior

Family

Student

Kester Cockrell Comps & Concept

2010-02-09T15:37:00.000-08:00

Henry Freeman Comps

2010-02-09T15:31:00.000-08:00

britt misra comps

2010-02-09T15:27:00.000-08:00

Visual Design Composition and Concept Note for Dance Atlanta

The following information is a style guide for the visual design compositions for Dance Atlanta’s Home and About pages. The main design objective was to present the key features of Dance Atlanta’s website in a clear manner, while providing an eye catching, unique visual design through the incorporation of dance imagery.
Dance Atlanta’s logo was provided to us, however I felt that for the purpose of the website header it would be more appropriate to tie the imagery that we had designated to go next to the logo, to be part of the logo. The interactive features of the website will be rollover drop down menus for the navigation and a possible flash slideshow to phase through the spotlight events. I chose dotted lines for the borders because it is reminiscent of
Again, from the beginning of this project we decided the website should be very visually appealing. I chose to use a dancers for the center of my photos, and performance centered imagery for small details, such as the stage curtains and flooring for the background, the PLAYBILL reference for the featured events header, and obviously the dancers for the background of the Dance ATL header. To maintain consistent branding I used the blue as the status indicator for the navigation, the call to action sign up button, and the gray for small borders. To avoid color overload I chose the calendar to be a red to reflect the red from the background curtain.
For text, I chose Geneva because it is a web safe font, and is very clean and legible. For the call to action buttons as well as calendar headings I chose poplar std because it was playful and bold, a combination that should grab the users attention. The color palette stemmed from the given logo colors, blue (#115ba7), gray (#9c9c9c), and white (#ffffff), and then colors derived from the imagery, red(#dc3e43), and pink (#940a49).
The dimensions of the compositions are 1024px x 786px, which is widely accepted as a good practice for web page resolution. The final pages should be liquid so that optimal browsing can be experienced by users of multiple screen resolutions, such as 800px x 600px and 1280px x 1024px. The layouts are compliant with a 960 grid.
For the navigation, it was important to organize all the links under an logical hierarchy that will be easy to navigate, while ensuring that none of the links get overlooked. We decided to keep the main navigation simple with six links, and having all sub navigation appear as drop down menus when you hover over the main navigation links. This maintains order and ensures that the user does not get overwhelmed by all the functions and information found on the Atlanta dances website.
Because of all the content available on Atlanta Dances website, it is incredibly important to have a strong fusion between visual design and information architecture. The site needs to be visually captivating and representative of all things dance, but the user needs to be able to easily navigate through all the pages, and most importantly find what they’re looking for. We want the users who came for a particularly reason to be able to accomplish their goal, the users to came across the site through internet surfing to be fascinated enough to stay, and most importantly, for the dance community of Atlanta feel like they are represented well on this site. Through my visual design compositions I have made sure that each of these things were accomplished, while giving Atlanta Dances a professional yet inviting company image to establish them as a leader in the dance community.

01/29 - Status Report

2010-01-26T19:41:00.000-08:00

Weekly Status Report & Scheduling

2 Girls + a Guy Project Plan

2010-01-26T19:37:00.000-08:00

Project Plan

Atlanta Dances Website

2010-01-26T17:35:00.000-08:00

Table of Contents

Page 2 – Proprietary Notice
Page 2 – Executive Summary
Page 2 & 3 - Introduction
Page 3 - Overview
Page 3 & 4 - Who is Two Girls + a Guy
Page 4 & 5 - Methodology
Page 5 - Schedule/Team + Client Deadlines
Page 6 - Cost Projection
Page 7 - Payment Schedule
Page 7 - Project Assumptions
Page 7 - Required Resources
Page 8 - System support & Maintenance
Page 8 - Suggested Hosting
Page 8 - Conclusion

Proprietary Notice
The content of this proposal is confidential. It contains innovative ideas, confidential data, and information that could be used by our competitors. It is to be used solely for Atlanta Dances’ evaluation. It should not be disclosed to anyone without written permission from Two Girls + a Guy.

Executive Summary
This project proposal document has been created by Two Girls + a Guy for Atlanta Dances in January, 2010. It contains our unique solution, project methodology, visual design, team and client schedule, cost projection, and technical suggestions for the operation of Atlantadances.org gathered, from the required criteria provided to us by Atlanta Dances. Through our research and analysis of competitors and consumers of dance, and more importantly the expressed needs of Atlantadances.org, we have devised a detailed proposal that outlines our plan of action. The proposal plan consists of several phases, and this document explains each phase of action along with the timeline that each phase will be executed upon. It is our goal to build a website that is unique, appropriate, and functional for Atlanta Dances. We want the dance community to have an enjoyable experience at Atlantadances.org, and to establish Atlanta Dances as a leader in the dance community.

Introduction
This document contains a detailed project proposal plan for the development of a website for Atlanta Dances. We at Two Girls + a Guy believe that intensive planning yields the best results which is why we have established this project proposal. The proposal will provide you with all necessary information and explanations regarding the phases of construction, schedule and deadlines, cost analysis, and resources we will require from you in order to effectively tailor the site to fit your needs.

It’s essential that we are on the same page from the launch of production so we can problem shoot and plan accordingly, ensuring that all of your needs are met in an efficient and timely manner. Please review this proposal and we will discuss any questions, comments, changes or concerns with you in our next meeting. Thanks for choosing us!

Overview of Our Solution
Atlanta Dances’s current website does not completely satisfy the needs of the organization or their dance community. After examining the questionnaire you completed, our goal is to build a site that can serve as the ultimate hub of information relevant to any dancer in Atlanta. The site will be visually exciting, fun and creative, and will reflect the love and passion for dance that it’s organizer and visitors share. Because this is an information-based site, we will emphasize a structure and organization of content that is clear and easily comprehensible.

The site features will be presented concisely to guarantee that its users will easily find what they are looking for and recognize all other capabilities of the site in the process.

It was mentioned that there are no similar dance-specific arts service organizations in the Atlanta area. With this in mind, it is important that we establish a strong brand identity, and that we express the uniqueness of SDC’s efforts and role in the dance community.

Based on your questionnaire we have done a comparative analysis of philadelphiadance.org, dancenyc.org and impulstanz.com. We realize you want this site to be a communications and information hub for all things dance in the Atlanta area.

Our underlying goal is to make the experience of visiting severaldancescore.org fun, informative and fulfilling, while virtually establishing Atlanta Dances as a leader in the dance community.

Who is Two Girls + a Guy?
Two Girls + a Guy is an Atlanta based production team made up of three members which as you may have inferred, are two girls, Kester Cockrell and Brittany Misra, and a guy, Henry Freeman. Our team is an affiliate of the Art Institute of Atlanta’s Web Design and Interactive Media Department. Our specialization is in Web Design and Development and Interactive Media Arts. All team members will collectively be contributing to the sites visual, technical and information designs for severaldancerscore.org. Brittany, the project manager, will be overseeing the production efforts. Kester is taking on the role of copy editor and content writer, and Henry will be working on motion graphic details. Additional roles will be assigned to each team member as the project progresses.

Project Methodology
The project methodology is comprised of several phases that will follow a strict set of deadlines. The first set of the phase deals primarily with research. We will do competitive analysis in which we research your company’s competition or businesses that have similar missions. We will analyze your criteria and the information you submit regarding your business requirements.

From here will we gain a deeper understanding of the website’s objectives and tasks that need to be accomplished through the website, and how others in your field have gone about executing their sites.

Next, we plan the structure of the site: what your main content pages are going to be and how the information will be displayed. The next phases involve aesthetics and visual design mockups: how the site will look, graphic embellishments, and branding continuity. Once the visual design is approved, we will begin building the site prototype. At this point in production all the content must be submitted.

After the entire prototype is completed, we will begin usability testing with multiple subjects to determine whether or not there are design flaws or complications that inhibit smooth browsing of the site. Once the results of the usability testing are reviewed, we will edit the site to incorporate any significant feedback.

The last phase of production is building the final site and uploading it live to severaldancerscore.org! You will receive a document that includes your site’s specifications and all necessary information and instructions you will need should you choose to update anything after our launch.

Schedule/Team + Client deadlines
As emphasized before, the success of production relies heavily on meeting deadlines. In order for us to stay on task we have provided you with a set of deadlines for submission of information.

Team Deadlines (Date Due)

Project Portal Sites ………………………………………... 1.19
Project Proposal + Plan …………………………………… 1.26
Information Architecture …………………………………. 2.2
Visual Design + Concept note …………………………….. 2.9
Visual Design + Style Guide ……………………………… 2.16
Production Specifications + Visual Prototype……………. 3.2
Usability Testing Report ………………………………….. 3.9
Client Hand-off Document + CD ……………………….. 3.16

Client Deadlines (Date Due)

Business Requirements …………………………………….1.20
Content Submission ………………………………………..1.26
Visual Design Specifications ………………………………2.2
Visual Design Selection ……………………………………3.4
Client Usability Testing Report ……………………………3.9

*Should there be a conflict with any of your deadlines, please notify us ASAP so we can make adjustments to the schedule.

Cost Projection

Payment Schedule
Two Girls + a Guy uses a three tier payment plan, meaning a payment installment of 1/3 of total estimated cost down, 1/3 due at the halfway point, and 1/3 at the completion of the project. Should there be a discrepancy between the estimated and actual cost it will be worked into the balance of the final installment. Based on our current time frame, the first payment is due on January 19, 2010, the second payment is due February 16, 2010 and the final payment is due March 16, 2010.

Project Assumptions
It is necessary that Several Dancers Core provide the following assets and resources. An inability to provide these assets and resources in a timely and complete fashion may contribute to the unsuccessful or delayed completion of this project.

The following assets and resources are expected:

1. Timely and consistent access to you.
2. Timely access to all required assets of severaldancerscore.org in
current state, including any source files.
3. Business requirements for severaldancerscore.org
4. Content, as required and including but not limited to copy, imagery,
audio, ect.
5. The consistent completion of tasks per client deadline schedule.

Required Resources
Because Several Dancers Core already has hosting, we will need locations in which the site can be viewed, location of where the site is being stored, and username and password information. Content information, logo and branding information is required unless otherwise discussed. Business requirements will be requested in the earliest stages of production and will be addressed later. As previously stated, not only will these resources be required, it is imperative they are submitted by each deadline.

System Support + Maintenance Processes
It is up to the client to choose a website management process. The two basic methods of maintenance and management would be a. hire Two Girls + a Guy to maintain the site for a contracted period of time, b. hire another company to maintain the site, c. request a content management system be added to your website so that you can maintain and manage your site on your own. Light CMS, CMS wire, and Ektron CMS are examples content management systems that can be used with your website and controlled by you.

Suggested Hosting Providers
Several Dancers Core already has a hosting provider; however, if you are dissatisfied with your current provider and would like the new site to be launched with another host, JustHost, BlueHost, and FatCow are all highly rated and provide unlimited space, bandwith, email and traffic for less than $7 dollars/mo. Another important feature to look for is 24-7 support, which is provided by all of the hosts suggested. You can find more at Top-ten-web-hosting.com, which is a frequently updated list of good hosting providers with a comparative chart of features.

Conclusion
We look forward to developing, designing and implementing Atlanta Dances website. We want it to be a major hub of information on all things dance for dancers, studios, patrons and more. From auditions to rental space to upcoming shows and everything in between the site will be the first place to look for dance information in the Atlanta community.

Two Girls + A Guy Blogs!

2010-01-14T13:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Two Girls + A Guys' first blog! We are the Art Institute of Atlanta's finest production team working under Carol Bales. This blog is our communication portal for our clients to enable an open dialogue and current updates on the status of their site. Right now we are in the early production stages for Atlanta's very own dance center Several Dancers Core's website. Thanks for stopping by!