The Brief Specifications for Media Studies Advanced Portfolio

A couple of weeks ago I  received the brief for OCR's Media Studies Advanced Portfolio A2 coursework. The main task outlined in the brief, is to design a website. The website that we will also create with be used to advertise our TV channel. My website will include original images, audio and video extract. I have begun my research on a number of different teen channels and there websites that help to promote them, this includes channels and sites that target teens. 

Before being formally given this brief, we were given some time to brainstorm any ideas on what type of TV Channel we were going to base our ideas on. 

I have started to research the TV industry and web-designing industry in some detail, looking at how a website is produced using particular programs, such as looking at typical case study TV websites around today.

Research on Jakob Nielsen

Web usability - Guidance --- Web standards-- accessibility -- Navigation

JaKob nielsen has many different opinions on website designs, here an some examples of his work;
Bad search;
Jakob said that some search engines are likely to reduce usability. Particular search engines are unable to handle typos, plurals and hyphens. Search engines are difficult for elderly users to use.
PDF files for online reading;
Many users hate finding PDF files when browsing and checking the internet. They simply don't like this as it breaks their flow of whatever they may be doing. Simple things like saving documents or printing may be difficult because standard browser commands may not work. 
Page titles with low search engine visibility;
Searching is very important to users for them to ways to discover more websites. It is important for users to find their way around individual websites. The main page for the website title page is to attract new visitors from search listings and for you to help existing users to locate the specific pages that they need.

Jakob is a user advocate and principal of the Nielsen Norman Group which he co-founded with Dr. Donald A. Norman former VP of research at Apple Computer.

Time plan

This time plan includes time allocations for each section of this coursework, in order that all the work is completed:

Time Plan

Here is a time plan that I have made as to what needs to be carried out in my Pre-production phase of this coursework:
Research into different websites
Site organisation
Images which are going to be used in TV listings
Newspaper Ad's
Website  planning & construction

My own example for the website layout;

My basic design of a website layout 

I have created this to show you a basic view of what I want my website to look like. I will include a logo on my channel website, the logo that I will be using is something that I have designed myself using photo-shop. My homepage navigation will be seen at the top of the page underneath my logo. The links that I will include are; Shows, Top News, Chat, Competitions & Contact Us.

The images that I'm planning on using will be dotted around my website in various places. I am planning on using  images that teenagers will find interesting and eye catching. 

I decided that the navigation bar will be located at the top of my website because it looks attractive and easily accessible. I have chosen to do this because of my research on other teen channel websites. 

The font style, size and colour will mostly be the same, showing that the website is for any gender.