Final Web Page Project Proposal

This proposal outlines my plan for creating a personal website focused on sky photography. The purpose of this website is to present a collection of photographs that capture different moods and moments of the sky, such as sunsets, clouds, and night scenes. In addition to showcasing images, the website will also reflect what I have learned in COM-3540 about layout, visual hierarchy, and user experience.

1. Target Audience Identification

The main audience for this website is college students and young adults who are interested in photography and visual media. Most of them are between the ages of 18 and 30 and are used to browsing image-based platforms such as Instagram or Pinterest. They are likely looking for inspiration, creative ideas, or examples of how photography can be presented in a clean and organized way.

A secondary audience includes instructors and classmates who may review the website as part of an academic project. This group will pay more attention to how the site is structured, how easy it is to navigate, and whether it demonstrates good web design practices.

Overall, the audience prefers simple layouts, clear navigation, and strong visuals. Because of this, the design of the website will focus on making the images the main highlight while keeping text minimal and easy to read.

2. Website Icon

The website icon will be simple and minimal. I plan to use my initials combined with a small visual element related to the sky, such as a cloud or a horizon line. The colors will likely include soft blues and warm tones to reflect the natural colors of the sky during sunrise or sunset.

The goal is not to create something overly complex, but rather something clean and recognizable that matches the overall theme of the website.

3. Audience Input

I gathered informal feedback by asking a few classmates what they like when visiting photography websites. Most of them mentioned that they prefer websites that are easy to navigate and not too crowded with text. They also said that large, high-quality images make a big difference in how engaging a site feels.

• Users like simple and clean layouts
• Images should be the main focus
• Too much text can be overwhelming
• Clear categories help users find content faster

This feedback will guide the design choices for my website, especially in terms of layout and content organization.

4. Competitive Analysis

I looked at three types of websites that are similar to what I want to create.

Portfolio Websites

These sites usually have strong visual design and focus on showcasing images. Their main strength is simplicity, but sometimes they lack detailed descriptions or context for the photos.

Stock Photo Websites

These platforms have large collections of images and good organization. However, they often feel too busy and overwhelming because of the number of elements on the page.

Personal Photography Blogs

These sites are more personal and often include stories behind the images. While they are engaging, the layout can sometimes be inconsistent and less visually focused.

Based on this comparison, I plan to combine the strengths of these websites by keeping a clean layout, adding light descriptions, and organizing content clearly without making the site feel cluttered.

5. Statement of Uniqueness

What makes this website different is its specific focus on sky photography. Instead of covering all types of photography, this project focuses only on the sky and how it changes throughout the day. This includes color transitions, lighting, and atmosphere.

The website will also balance creativity and structure. It will not only display images but also present them in a way that feels organized and intentional. This combination of visual storytelling and clean design is what makes the project unique.

6. User Scenarios

Scenario 1

A student visits the website while working on a photography assignment. They browse through the gallery to find inspiration and get ideas for composition and lighting.

Scenario 2

An instructor visits the website to evaluate the project. They look at how the pages are organized, how images are presented, and whether the design follows good web design principles.

Scenario 3

A classmate visits the site out of curiosity. They explore the different sections and gain ideas for how to structure their own portfolio website.

7. Website URL and Sitemap

Website URL: https://yourwebsite.wordpress.com

Sitemap

• Home
• About
• Gallery
  • Sunsets
  • Clouds
  • Night Sky
• Projects
• Blog
• Contact

The sitemap shows a simple and clear structure. The homepage connects to all main sections, and the gallery is divided into smaller categories to make browsing easier.