Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
In this chapter, we will spend some time discussing how to create Web pages
from scratch in Macromedia Dreamweaver without working extensively in an
image editing application first. This method may appeal to you if you have a
Web portfolio that is filled with text and text documents as opposed to a more
graphics-filled Web portfolio. If graphics are the majority of the content or the
design is complicated, using an image editing application for Web screen layout
and design is a better method than simply using Dreamweaver.
For multimedia and motion, we must use specialized applications. You will
learn more about multimedia applications and have an opportunity to execute
some techniques later on in the text, but in this stage, you will be planning and
assuming positions for multimedia items in the screen designs. The multimedia
items, which are Macromedia Flash movies will be added later on.
Eventually, you will work to discover new methods and tools on your own.
Then, you will adapt to the techniques and applications that you feel provide the
easiest workflow to creating Web pages.
Here are some of the digital tools we will be using to create Web pages for the
Web portfolio:
•
We will be creating our graphical Web page designs and individual
graphics using Adobe Photoshop and Macromedia Fireworks.
•
We will be using Macromedia Dreamweaver to perform Web develop-
ment and to add functionality to our Web pages.
For motion graphics and multimedia:
•
We will be using Adobe Audition to edit audio.
•
We will be using Macromedia Flash to create motion graphics and
multimedia.
Digital tools are important to master, but it is also important to pay attention to
the visual aspects of the Web portfolio. Too many times I have seen bad designs
that alienate the user with blinking text and horrific color choices. The look and
feel of the Web portfolio should not be intimidating, it should be inviting.
