Saturday, April 28, 2018

OUGD602 - NEST Website

To further NEST as a platform for the university's students the magazine should exist beyond the printed issue. There is also no existing system to archive past issues, launches or workshops. To resolve this I created a website for NEST.

Content for the website had to include individual pages for each issue of the magazine, as well as an information section. Due to the restrictions of creating the website under the Leeds Arts Union name, I was required to use Wix as a website building. There are many limitations to using Wix, the primary one being that websites created through Wix are not responsive to different screen sizes. Therefore all content has to be placed inside of a specified grid to guarantee it will appear on all platforms.




However, this resulted in a simple yet effective layout, featuring menu options along the top of the website and drop-down sub-menus for navigation between pages.

As each issue of the magazine so far has featured its own unique design and colour scheme, it was important to have a minimal colour palette for the website to allow the information to be conveyed clearly without overwhelming the user. For this reason the only colours used throughout the website's design are black and white.


Landing Page

An interactive landing page that features the NEST logo in stroke. When touched by the users mouse the logo reverts to solid white. The website can be entered by clicking the logo.




Intro Page

An introductory page that features a video trailer about the magazine. This is the first page on the website to feature the menu options in the top bar.



About

The about page features a selection of frequently asked questions detailing the history of the magazine, the process of submitting work, and where students can find out more.



Issues Menu

As there is a substantial archive of past magazine, a drop-down menu from the Issues tab with links to each issue and other printed material allows for easy navigation.



Issue 01

Pages for the early issues feature only basic information with a scrolling slideshow of the magazine and details of the date and editor. Further information about the work submitted or any launch events is not available.




Issue 02




Issue 03




Issue 04




Issue 05




Issue 06

Pages for the issues created under the previous editor Josiah Craven feature information of the students featured in the issue and the printers used, but any further information about these issues is not available.





Issue 07





Issue 08





Issue 09





Issue 10

The issues produced by myself feature more extensive information, including a series of professional portfolio shots and photographs from the issues launch event.









Issue 11









Issue 12









LGBT Zine

Also included is a zine produced as part of the university's LGBTQ+ History Week.




NEST Unseen

As a means of providing exposure for all students who submit to the magazine, rather than just those selected for print, a new feature called NEST Unseen was created. Unseen is an infinitely scrolling gallery that features all the work that is received, including details of each student and the work.





Contact

A basic contact page which features an interactive email address link