The Last Word

Throughout the semester, there were many things I learned about Web writing that helped present a complete overview of how to design and what to design. I learned the history, its comparisons with other types of media, and especially the ease with which people can get content on in this age of Web writing. I also learned that I am a contributor to the 'living' web right now as I publish this blog. I also realized that burgeoning technology and the explosion of hand-held wireless, Internet-capable devices are creeping into the media scene faster and faster, with prospective users living a 'connected' life style. My distaste toward television and radio has been furthered by my new knowledge and experience in participating in Web writing. In addition to simply publishing content to a blog, I also learned how to use Dreamweaver to design websites for direct publishing on the web. With the use of the University's web server and personal student web space, we published assignments and are now responsible for making or improving a website in groups. I feel I can use my knowledge in Web writing and design to make my own successful website/blog in the future.
Furthermore, I feel that the most important difference between Web writing and other forms of writing is that design plays a much more crucial and influential role than in other forms of writing. When looking at a website, with any kind of content, the design and layout of the site must be user oriented and it must hold the attention of the user. As I've seen, attention can be considered the currency of the web, and print publications have lacked in recent years in keeping the readers attention. Additionally, with design playing a much more influential role, web designers are trading success secrets and creating a plethora of attractive Internet locales with powerful draw and advertising prowess. Therefore, web writing has exploded as a veritable form of both news, currency, or expression in recent years through web design, successful Internet ventures around the globe, and the emergence of new technology that ushered in the Web 2.0 movement.

The Night of the Living Web

In “10 Tips for Writing the Living Web,” Mark Bernstein says, “Some parts of the web are finished, unchanging creations – as polished and as fixed as books or posters. But many parts change all the time.”
In my class, I have been studying and producing both kinds of writing. As far as these two types of web writing are concerned, I would much rather participate in the 'living' web exemplified by my blog or by the online organizations I hope to work for in the future. I think my comfort level as a writer is at a point where I could write in either style and still excel at having the content be effective and meaningful. The main reasons why I prefer this 'living' web is it keeps the content fresh, encourages public publication, and it gives people the opportunity to see how others think and form their thoughts and arguments coherently (or at least that's the goal). Plus it allows for diversity, creativity, and an openness unlike any other media institution, besides maybe recorded music, which has recently been bolstered by the Internet coincidentally.
Today's basis for media consumption has seen two main divisions: People seeking content based on need or service, and people seeking content due to recreation, malaise, etc. Regardless as to why they're seeking content, the drive of most of these service-providing website operators is to make money. It is my experience that most sectors of the 'living' web are users simply doing what they do or what they want to do, and somehow getting it on the Internet for web surfers to access. The fact that creativity, innovation, and truth are stressed rather than profit margins and bottom lines is reason enough for me to continue blogging and reading/writing in an independent media state-of-mind.

Pretentious Trends

Web design (which controls the appearance and format of Web writing) goes through trends much like any other form of design or fashion. I took a look at Current Web style to see some examples of the current trends in Web design. These trends are very simple design techniques, and when used sparingly and effectively, can bolster readability and the user-friendly attitude current designers carry.

When looking at Current Web style, it outlines the design features that great sites share as: simple layout, center orientation, soft or neutral background colors, presence of white space as well as the use of big text; also, the sparse use of 3D effects, strong colors, and cute icons. I agree with nearly all these design features. They make the content easy to read, easy to navigate, easy to access, and easy to digest. This is important for web users in our Web 2.0 era, where nearly everything is 'connected.' The best part about current design is the fact that it's useful and it looks good. By spreading out content and injecting some white space, the website stated it was like a breath of fresh air for users.

In designing a website for class, my group decided on a revision of the Bob Marley Foundation's website (here). As far as current design techniques, I would like for our group to spread out the web sites content and keep the horizontal link bar. However, we should orient the content toward the center rather than 'above the fold.' Lastly, we must make good use of icons, the Rastafarian color motif we hope to employ sparingly, and white space to organize and streamline our site.