The latest accessibility project, undertaken with Simon Evans whom i worked with during my time on the Inclusive New Media Design project.
Simon Evans provides research development, e-Learning and accessibility consultancy, with particular focus on applications of Internet and new media by and for people with Intellectual Disabilities.
This was a graphic design/ css/ xhtml re-design of Simon’s own website – www.cognable.com.
Since launching this site, it has become my design playground, testing new designs and web technologies. As such boshanka.co.uk has been subject to many design iterations.
Boshanka Version 1.0
Boshanka Version 2.0
Boshanka Version 3.0
Boshanka Version 4.0
Version one of the site, originally launched in 2005 used bold typography and an elegent, sophisticated design asthetic to give a classic feel. Much of my original work was showcased here.
Version two was made live in Summer 2007 and signified a change in purpose, the site became much more personal and showcased a little more of my own personality. Using flash as the basis for the portfolio section, the site had a much more interactive feel. Using XML to drive the content within the flash used on the site, i created a Cold Fusion CMS to allow me to quickly update the site without the need to change the flash files.
Version three finally made it live in Winter 2008 – this time my focus was a drive on SEO – having completed my degree in New Media at the University of Leeds i decided to relocate to London and push my freelance services. The site was a success and within a few weeks of its Launch i became inundated with web design work.
Vibrant, loud, beautiful and accessible, the latest version of Boshanka.co.uk is based on the WordPress CMS as is the culmination of all my web experience. The site was Launched in 2009 and merges beautiful, accessible design with top level SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and compliant web design. Based on PHP the site allows me to quickly add new projects to the site and post the latest web trends i come accross. Built to last, this is Boshanka!
Matchbox Twenty Plus - Hybrid web mash-up
Launch Site: Matchbox Twenty Plus
Matchbox Twenty Plus is a new media web mash-up, it pulls in updates from Twitter, video sharing websites and RSS Feeds. The site is built on a Wordpress CMS and delivers up to date news and information to a loyal fan community.
The site has gained recognition from the band, in particular the Guitarist who provides updates and exclusive content to the site.
Key features include: videos section with user ratings, forums, gallery with live view and piclens, twitter feeds & music players.
“Inclusive New Media Design (INMD) is trying to find out the best ways to encourage web designers to make websites that work for people with learning disabilities.”
Having been approached by Helen Kennedy, Project Lead at Inclusive New Media Design – a research project for the Rix Centre and The University of East London, i jumped at the chance to take on this high profile accessibility project.
Built in accordance with WCAG 2.0 guidelines, the aim was to improve dramatically the usability, asthetics and accessibility of the current INMD website.
Inclusive New Media - Original Homepage
Inclusive New Media - Design 1
Inclusive New Media - Design 2
Inclusive New Media - Design 3
Inclusive New Media - Design 4
In order to gain the best possible understanding of people with disabilities and the way they might interact with a website such as this, we held many feedback sessions and went through several re-iterations, some of which are shown left. In December 2008 we organized a user testing event, where we had users with specific disabilites use the site and give their feedback. The site is finally due to go live over the next few weeks.
We integrated Adobe Spry technology, as user tested advised they enjoyed using the moving parts of the site, it peaked interest and drew attention.
Unfortunately, Spry Bars were not clear enough as links, and so they were removed to make way for clearer clickable icons – as seen in Design 4.
Inclusive New Media Design has been a truly educational experience, working with industry experts on the best way to build beautiful websites for users with disabilities or learning difficulties.
One Mans's Opinion Homepage
One Man’s Opinion are a really hot canadian band from Windsor, Ontario. We met via a mutual industry aquaintence and the group mentioned they were looking to re-develop their online presence. They seemed really eager to plug into their fanbase, and so i took some time to come up with a solution – www.one-mans-opinion.net
Conceptualized as part of my final year project at the University of Leeds, i developed a creative solution which allows the band to connect with their fans more directly. The site also allows the community to share articles, photos and photos and chat with each other and the band. I developed a Cold Fusion based CMS with full administrative control, to allow the band to easily update and maintain the site and its users without the need to go back to a web designer.
One Man's Opinion Events Calender
The site has been a huge success with the band’s fans, and already has a buzzing community of users who use the site’s plethora of features to keep up with the latest happenings from One Man’s Opinion.
Integrated is a fully functional calender, which the band use to post their up and coming gigs, as well as the ability to post recurring events and set up regular venues, taking the hastle out of updating it.
The site officially went live last year, for 2009 we’re finalising an integrated web store based on the Cubecart CMS.
One Man’s Opinion had this to say about their new site:
The Virgin Millionaires Homepage
The Virgin Millionaires are an American Indie Rock band who were looking for a sophisticated web presence – cue virginmillionaires.com.
Built on a bespoke Cold Fusion CMS, the site allows the band to log in and update all aspects of the site – including Journal entries, news updates and videos.
The Virgin Millionaires - Media Player
To save the band time, we integrated their Myspace music player into the site, to enable the band to present their latest music on the both their myspace page and their website, without having to upload everything twice!
Subscribe
