How We Work

What We Offer Given our extensive design and CMS experience, Raven Creative brings a broad perspective to your project. We use this experience to build your organization an online presence that can be managed in-house, is true to your mission, identity, and message, and is accessible to your audience.

Building a robust, clear, and streamlined information environment online requires design and technology that balance visitor appeal (excitement, energy, impact) with sustainability. Achieving this balance involves a careful study of audience needs coupled with the logical and engaging presentation of information. Toward this goal, Raven’s approach features interrelated phases, described below.

Research
Raven starts each new design project by briefly researching current conventions/best practices as they relate to a particular client. This encompasses navigation types, content placement, acceptable download times, click paths, Web 2.0 strategies, etc. Raven also reviews topically similar sites as well as various popular sites like Facebook, CNN, Amazon, Faces in the Crowd, and iTunes. The result is an overall snapshot of the online competition for your visitors’ attention.

Architecture
Information Architecture (IA), the “where and why” of navigating information spaces, is a fundamental component of Raven’s strategy. One major consideration for IA is ensuring there is a clear indication of current location in the site (obvious page name, navigation highlighting) and access to other areas (global and local navigation to other pages/home) from any page.

Design
Design strategy is the product of research and information architecture, each contributing to the usability, sustainability and scalability of your site over time. Strategy is not fixed, however, and can be adjusted depending on feedback throughout the design process. It can also be appended over time to meet additional display needs such as templates for handheld devices, e-news e-mails, etc.

Templates and Content
Once designs are completed, the process of integrating templates and content into a system can begin. Implementation involves prepping all final graphic layouts for Web use, including integration into a content management system CMS), if one is used. Images are “sliced” into component areas and the templates are coded in HTML and CSS. Content and features are then added as needed to pages. Note: Given Raven’s experience with Atlas Workcenter, the Web prep and coding process when using that particular CMS is cost-efficient and issue-free.

Technology Implementation
Once designs and content are fully integrated, any additional technology development may begin, including the coding of custom features, customization of the CMS, and fine-tuning of the server environment for a particular client. All functions are then fully tested and made ready for launch.

Launch
When all content is a approved and all technology is tested, the site is launched, on schedule and on budget.