Prototype 1

Due: Tue., April 7, by 11:15 am. (categories = prototype 1, [your project short title])

To create your first prototype, go back to the wireframe you designed for your project. Now that you have generated some content, make any necessary adjustments to the wireframe. Then go to the subdomain you’ve created for your project, and customize the theme to make it resemble your wireframe.

Start by creating new pages and posts, so that you’ll have some content to work with as you customize your theme. Create menus and play around with widgets. If you’re struggling, contact Sundi or Suzanne to get instructions for setting up your theme (if available). You can also search online for theme tutorials.

Your first prototype is just an early draft of your project, so it can and should change—possibly even radically. In fact, you may scrap this design altogether and start over! Work in the iterative spirit of design thinking, testing out designs and being willing to make big changes if necessary.

Your first prototype should include:

1. an about page describing the project and saying who you are and briefly explaining your credentials, preparation, and method
2. the content from your content draft (organized and delivered in whatever initial way you think appropriate for your project or feasible at the moment)
3. your lit review(s): include the entire narrative for now, even if you end up changing the format.
4. a plugin of your choice (installed, activated, and functioning)
5. a placeholder for your white paper
6. Optional:
   1. StoryMap
   2. information visualization

As you design your first prototype, apply lessons from the readings earlier in the semester, including:

• relevant design principles from Robin Williams’ The Non-Designer’s Design Book (contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity).
• standards of web accessibility outlined in WebAIM.
• concepts of beauty and efficiency from Alberto Cairo’s The Functional Art

The first prototype is ungraded, but to receive full credit, it should include the 5 required elements listed above and demonstrate conscious attention to design, visualization, and web accessibility principles.

Your prototype 1 post

To share your prototype, create a new post with your project name in the title. Please create only one post per project. Select the categories: prototype 1 and [your project short title]. The body of your post should contain an active hyperlink to the prototype along with a short description of what you’ve accomplished and any other content or functionality you plan to add to future prototypes. Include a screenshot of the prototype homepage, so that you will have a record of the progress of your designs.