Transcript RTF Grad Student Portfolio - University of Texas School of Information

RTF Grad Student Portfolio
Chris McConnell
December 6, 2006
Information Architecture I
Idea that led to the Project
• Last year, a central Web space for RTF
graduate students was proposed.
• Existing student directory was updated
infrequently.
• Production MFAs approached me to
build them Web sites.
• Few Media Studies students have a
Web presence.
Some Considerations
• The department Webmaster has little
time to update and proofread student
directory, leading to bad information.
• Production & Screenwriting students
often want to update information as
work progresses or festivals loom.
• Department does not want to be
responsible for student-generated
content.
A “Web 2.0” Site?
• Ideally students would be able to upload their
own content to the site, and update it as
needed.
• Few students would have the time or
expertise to hand-code sites.
• A consistent layout and site would enhance
the overall image of the deparment.
• Moving it to a private server would reduce
fears of damaging department reputation.
Who Would Use this Site?
•
•
•
•
•
RTF Graduate Students
Prospective Graduate Students
Festival Atendees
Funders
Other members of the community.
Single Student Portfolio Site
Multi-Student Portfolio Site
Basic Site Metaphor
• A Directory!
• Users are probably interested in two
kinds of information: specific students
and specific programs
• There are few different kinds of
information uploaded, but a lot of it.
Labeling
• Because the metaphor is simple, the
labels are pretty simple, mostly the
program tracks.
• One issue is how to label “production”
• MFA?
• Production?
• Filmmaking.
Color Palettes
• Because the site is designed for UT
student work, the clear answer is to use
a palette based on burnt orange.
• Simple de-saturated colors
• Web-safe-ish…
• Text-based templates for maintenance
and visual media
• Relatively simple CSS
WordPress
• Standard blogging engine/CMS
• Seemed to be easy enough for
uploading by student end-users
• Requires a significant amount of
hacking to use as CMS
• Plugins, editing PHP templates.
• Sometimes behaved strangely.
Lessons Learned
• MFA students, erm, production students
often already have web sites.
• A simple directory or Friendster-like site
may be enough.
• WordPress is probably too difficult for
people to pick up cold.
• Require training session for students.