Rise and fall of complex web design
The web is a constant roller coaster of rising and declining web technology. With each technology the trend of web design follows in the linear motion of simple to complex. The longer the specific technology then the more complex designs become whereas the introduction of a technology can force designs to their most basic nature. To illustrate the complexity of web design starting out in a simplistic nature I intend on creating a mobile application that is voice controlled to create a web page with voice commands. The research required will be to show the connection and history of web design with the various web technologies like Flash to HTML5. With those providing a base to the voice controlled web design project to further the boundaries of what is possible with today’s technology.
Why is the connection of web design to web technologies so interesting? When reviewing the transition of art from the Roman Empire to its demise and compare it to the art that emerges from the ashes then one can see the pattern of complexity to simplistic form based on the available technologies at those times. A parallelism can be made to web design and technology. Think of the technologies as the eras like those in our history. A new trend that is simple in design happens with each rise and fall of those eras. As the technology gains a following then the design becomes more complex until another era of technology is founded and makes the other technology irrelevant. One huge era that is mark and still debated is the fall of Flash as HTML5/CSS3/JavaScript takes the throne that dictates how things should be viewed on the web. Another aspect of these trends could be examines are the popular companies such as Apple, Google, Microsoft or even Adobe help sway the masses of the internet to determine which technology is truly king of the web.
Action Plan
- Research – Research past web design trends and their connections with past web technologies. See how the trends eventually bridge to the newer web technology as the older ones are phased out. Voice controlled technologies and their roll in web design. Determine the reasons why it has not been a player in upcoming or current web technologies
- Design – Design a voice controlled application that uses key words to build a web page. Utilizing a similar system to Dreamweaver’s or other applications with predefined templates.
- Paper Prototype Test – Test this prototype with users to gain an insight of a good balance of voice and interface control
- Review – Review the test results and revise the design to accommodate most of the users’ needs and desires.
- Develop – Develop, using the information gathered from the review results, the basic framework of the application that will allow the user to build one of the possible templates.
- Test – Test the application with the same test group. Record their reaction and comments.
- Review – Review the results and make necessary changes to the application.
- Test Review, Revise and Polish – Continue to revise and test the application until it can make a simple design with voice commands with little to no problems for the user.