Web Redesign Workflow That Works [Paperback]

As the writers of Web Redesign: Workflow that Works know, anyone who has managed the process of developing or redesigning a Web site of significant size will likely have learned the hard way the complexities, pitfalls and cost risk of such an undertaking. While many Web-development firms have fantastic technical expertise, what sets the top-notch organisations apart is the ability to accurately manage the planning and development process. Web Redesign: Workflow that Works directly addresses this crucial area with a specific, proven process.

This brief but important book lays out a specific five-step strategy--called the Core Process--that can always be applied to the development of Web sites and fine tuned to almost any type of project. Each step--defining the project; developing site structure; visual design and testing; production and QA; and launch and beyond--contain three related but distinct tracks. The text begins with a brief overview of each of the steps, then delves deeper into each with detailed explanations as well as specific forms and project management strategies. This book does not cover back-end server side programming. Instead, it focuses primarily on the visual conventional components of a Web site.

Authors Kelly Goto and Emily Cotler compiled this book in an attractive, easy to read format. This process guide uses numerous full-colour screen shots to illustrate site examples, as well as plenty of site diagrams and sample forms. The book even has a companion Web site with downloadable forms in PDF format to put the Core Process into immediate action. --Stephen W Plain

"I wish I had this book when I was working at a Web design firm in the '90s. It would have saved us all a lot of headache."www.webreference.com, Sept 2001

Most companies redesign and re-launch their Web sites every 6 to 12 months. The business of Website design, therefore, is one of constant change and change management. Web (Re)Design provides a framework from which to tackle the all-important planning, budgeting, organization, and management of a project from conceptualization to launch. And then the maintenance and change-management issues that inevitably follow. The book follows a road tested experiential methodology to expose the critical steps to planning, budgeting, organizing, and managing a Web design or redesign project from conceptualization through launch. The authors use a sound pedagogical style that is appealing; easy to access; and full of forms, checklists, and worksheets to assist readers in working through their own projects. The page design will allow for easy browsing of material.

The book follows a road tested experiential methodology to expose the critical steps to planning, budgeting, organizing, and managing a web design or redesign project from conceptualization through launch. The authors use a sound pedagogical style that is appealing; easy to access; and full of forms, checklists, and worksheets to assist readers in working through their own projects. The page design will allow for easy browsing of material. In addition, the intuitive organization will make it easy for readers to find the material they need. See the attached table of contents.

Kelly Goto is a sought-after lecturer and instructor on the topics of web development, information design, and user experience. Her sessions at conference after conference (and class after class) are invariably packed — Kelly has a knack for making the complex topic of workflow accessible, even engaging. Formerly an award-winning creative director at Idea Integration (http://www.idea.com), Kelly successfully managed the redesigns of many sites ranging from independent to corporate levels. In commercial design since the late 1980s (remember when PageMaker 1.0 was the design tool?), Kelly has acted as creative director, designer, and producer for many high-profile clients, including Warner Bros. Online, National Geographic Online, Adobe Corporation, Paramount Television, Macromedia Corporation, and Sony Pictures. Currently a principal at gotomedia, inc. (http://www.gotomedia.com), an online consultancy for user experience and interaction design, Kelly continues to focus on developing new techniques for collaborative development in digital media. When not tethered to her laptop, Kelly can be found trekking the Third World — where she does not check her email.

Emily Cotler is a graphic designer, web designer, journalist, and novelist. A designer since the late 1980s (remember rubdown lettering and stat camera separations?), she is in high demand for both web and print work. Focusing primarily on smaller sites for individual creative professionals and small enterprises, Emily specializes in creating (or re-creating, as the case may be) a positive web presence for smaller budgets. Her clients include New York Times best-selling authors Julia Quinn and Susan Andersen, and many small but thriving companies, including L.A.-based entertainment booking agency Artist Booking International, Denver-based technical writing firm Pomegranate Consulting, and Seattle-based Kira Stewart Photography. A regular contributor to Publish Magazine since 1998, Emily is known for her accessible style and readability — dry topics come alive, interesting topics come off the page. She currently has a 40-foot commute to Waxcreative Design (http://www.waxcreative.com) in Oakland, California, where she reigns as creative directrix. Her preferred method of escape from cyberspace includes a snowboard and a Colorado mountain.