Core Design Process
Q: How many phases are part of the Core Process and what are they?
A: There are five phases to the Core Process.
1: Define The Project.
2: Develop Site Structure.
3: Design the Visual Interface.
4: Build & Integrate.
5: Launch & Beyond (Maintenance).
Q: What is “Scope Creep” and how can you prepare for it?
A: Scope Creep is the slow growth of a projects scope into something much larger than anticipated. Creep can be reduced by defining it in initial planing with both client and team and keeping careful eye on process, schedule, and deliverables to assure project meets target goals and doesn’t slip or expand.
Q: What are the two ways to combat content delay?
A: 1: Hire a Content Manager. 2: Create a Content Delivery Plan.
Q: What does the “QA” in QA testing stand for?
A: Quality Assurance.
Q: What do the authors mean when they refer to “Smart Design?”
A: The Smart Design approach is Audience focused and driven by Functionality and User Experience. Anything that detracts from that is not Smart Design.
Gathering Information
Q: What does the word “Discovery” refer to?
A: The word refers to the process where in the team or individual gets into the minds of the site’s users to understand as much as possible about the target audience, the client/company, the outgoing site (if there is one) and the scope of the project as a whole.
Q: Give me a couple examples of “good client” attributes and “red flag client” warning signs.
A: A Good Client is goal oriented and focused on the sites big picture, Answers the Client Survey, Is timely on all sign-offs to include deliverables, schedule and budget, returns emails and calls, gets all your content on time, loves everything you do and pays as agreed. 
A Red Flag Client has a small budget and totally unrealistic deadlines, they have no idea what they want, have no content to offer, but want something really “cutting edge” but they want you to comp up a lot of ideas well before they consider any budget, doesn’t return emails or calls promptly, can’t make a decision to save their life.
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Understanding your Audience
Q: What is an audience profile? What is another name for it?
A: An Audience Profile is a document that give a detailed description of a typical site vistor. This profile is also known as a “Persona”.
Q: Name some of the things you need to analyze when determining an audience’s capabilities?
A: When deciding on an audience one must consider their technical capabilities knowing that in choosing certain levels of current tech for a new or redesigned site you might leave certain demographics behind if your requirements are too steep. What sort of tech savvy does your audience have? What kind of methods may they employ to connect to the net? What machines or devices might they own? Are they up to date with their OS? Are they home users? Are they mobile users? Both? What about Assistive Tech?
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