Interactive Design - Project 2

26/11/24 - 07/12/24 (Week 9 - Week 11)
Andrea Choo Qin Hui (0366959)
Interactive Design / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Project 2 : Website Redesign Prototype

INSTRUCTIONS



LECTURES

Week 9: (Box Model - Layout in CSS)

             The Display Property : 
             - It is the most important property in CSS for controlling layout
             - Every element has a default display value depending on what type of element it is 
             - The default for most elements is usually block or inline

             Other Display Properties : 
             - Inline-block
             - Flex
             - Grid

             Box Model in CSS : 
             - Most HTML elements are containers 
             - These are a container or box : body, pi, h1, h2, div, ul, ol, li
             - Each box has three layers that surround its content
             - The layers are in order from inside to outside 
                1. Padding
                2. Border
                3. Margin

Week 10: (Position Property: CSS - Position)

             What is the CSS position property? : 
             - Used to control the positioning of an element within its containing element
             - Determines how an element is displayed in relation to other elements on a web page
             - Has several possible values, each of which affects the element's behaviour differently:
                    1. Static (default) : Positioned in the normal flow of the document
                                                    : They are not affected by the top, right, bottom or left properties
                                                    : It is the default behaviour for most HTML elements

                   2. Relative : Can use the top, right, bottom and left properties to move to its normal
                                          position in the document flow
                                        : Other elements on the page will still occupy the original space of the
                                           element

                   3. Absolute : Positioned relative to the nearest ancestor with a position value other 
                                           than static (usually relative, absolute or fixed) 
                                         : If no such ancestor exists, the element is positioned relative to the 
                                           initial containing block (typically the viewpoint) 

                   4. Fixed : Positioned relative to the viewport
                                   : Do not move when the page is scrolled
                                   : Stays in the same position even if the user scrolls up or down

                   3. Sticky : Initially positioned according to the normal flow of the document
                                    : When the element reaches a specified scroll position (defined by top, 
                                       right, bottom or left), it becomes 'sticky' and will remain fixed at that 
                                       position while the user continues scrolling


PROJECT 2

             The objective of this assignment is to translate our website redesign proposal into 
             functional prototype. This prototype should visually and interactively represent 
             the proposed changes, demonstrating your ability to apply design principles and UX 
             strategies effectively.

             Building upon your previous assignment (Website Redesign Proposal), we are now 
             required to develop a prototype of the redesigned website. This prototype should 
             reflect the proposed visual design and user experience improvements, providing a 
             tangible representation of the final product.

Website Redesign Proposal

Figure 1.1 Website Redesign Proposal

             To recap, this is my redesigning goals for the My Government Website:
             1. Enhanced Usability - Making the website look less cluttered 
             2. Modernised Look - To make the website look more aesthetically pleasing to the eye 
                                                      but also retain what a government website should look like
             3. About Us Page - So that new users know what My Government is offering its users
             4. Scroll to Top Button - Users will have an easier time to return to the top of the 
                                                           website
             5. Faster Load Time - So that users will have a smoother experience while browsing the 
                                                     website


Website Redesign Prototype
             Develop a clickable prototype that includes key pages and features of the redesigned 
             website. The prototype should allow users to navigate through the site and interact 
             with essential elements.

             Key Pages to Include:
             - Homepage
             - Core Content Pages
             - Contact Page

             User Experience (UX) Considerations:
             - Usability
             - Interactivity

             Since it was my first time using Adobe XD, I didn't know what to do or how it works. 
             So, I took it upon myself to watch a few Youtube Tutorials on Adobe XD before starting 
             on my prototype. 

             To have the exact colours of the Malaysian Flag, I googled the hex codes for the blue 
             (#010066) and red (#CC0001). As said above, I was new to Adobe XD, so after 
             watching more Youtube videos, I found out that I could download plugins for the app. 
             Here is all the plugins I used for Project 2: 

Figure 1.1 Plugins for Adobe XD


             To create the scroll to top button, I watched this Youtube video: 

Figure 1.2 Youtube Tutorial #1


             To make the form in my 'Contact Us' page, I watched this Youtube Video: 

Figure 1.3 Youtube Tutorial #2

To fully use the form in the 'Contact Us' page, it's best to use the anima plugin to do so. 


Figure 1.4 Map

             Unfortunately, the plugin I wanted to (Maps Generator) use for the interactable map 
             feature doesn't exist anymore / been removed and the one I installed as a stand in only 
             works with addresses in China, but when coding the website, I will make sure to 
             include one where it works. 

             The information for the 'About Page' was taken from this website, it was the same 
             website I used as research to find out more about My Government. They have included 
             key information about the website that can't be found on My Government itself. 


Figure 1.5 Final Messy Interactions

             To make sure the prototype works smoothly, I tested and retested it repeatedly until I 
             was satisfied with the results, especially when the interactions for the prototype were 
             this messy, so I had to make sure every section and buttons worked accordingly. 


Final Website Redesign Prototype

Figure 2.1 Project 2 : Final Website Redesign Prototype in English PDF

Figure 2.2 Project 2 : Final Website Redesign Prototype in Bahasa Melayu PDF


             Fonts used: 
             - Title & Heading (Helvetica)
             - Subtitle (Helvetica Neue)
             - Navigation Bar, Buttons & Subheadings (Gill Sans)

             Download the prototype here!


Final Website Redesign Prototype Brief

The redesign of malaysia.gov.my focuses on addressing key issues identified in the current website while introducing features to enhance user experience and functionality. The existing website, though functional, has a cluttered layout, outdated aesthetics and usability challenges, which undermine its effectiveness as a government portal. My redesign proposal in Project 1 aims to modernize the website, making it user-friendly, visually appealing and more accessible to its diverse audience, which includes Malaysian citizens, tourists, expats and foreigners.

One of the main issues with the current website is its layout, which feels plain and overly crowded in some areas. The navigation bar in particular, is overwhelming, with numerous options that make it difficult for users to find information they need quickly. Additionally, the color scheme — primarily dark blue and pink, conveys a tacky and dated aesthetic that does not align with the professional standards expected of a government portal. The typography lacks visual appeal, with minimal differentiation between headings and body text, which affects the readability and fails to create a clear visual hierarchy for the users. Outdated and inconsistent icons further take away from the site's overall appearance, contributing to an impression of incohesiveness and neglect.

To address these issues, my redesign introduces a cleaner layout with a more intuitive navigation system. The number of menu options is reduced, making the website easier to explore. The color palette is updated to feature Malaysia's national colors, red and blue, to evoke a sense of patriotism while ensuring the design remains sleek and professional. This modern aesthetic aligns with contemporary standards for government websites and helps to promote a sense of trust and pride among users.

Typography plays a crucial role in the redesign, with distinct fonts chosen for headings, subheadings, and paragraphs to improve readability and create a more engaging visual experience. By establishing a clear hierarchy, the redesign eliminates the monotony of the current website, making content easier to digest. The redesign prototype also replaces outdated icons with modern, cohesive visual elements, contributing to a polished and consistent appearance.

A significant addition in the redesign is the introduction of an 'About Us' page, a feature absent in the current version. This page provides essential information about MyGovernment services, helping first time users understand the purpose and offerings of the portal. It enhances the user experience by bridging the gap for those unfamiliar with the website, making the portal more inclusive and informative.

The goals of the redesign focus on three main areas: enhancing usability, modernizing the website's look, and introducing the 'About Us' page. Usability is improved by decluttering the layout, streamlining navigation and incorporating better typography. The updated aesthetic, grounded in national colors and modern design principles, ensures the website is visually appealing and reflective of a forward-thinking government. Meanwhile, the new 'About Us' page provides valuable context for users, fulfilling a key informational need.

The redesign also takes into account the website's diverse target audience, which includes Malaysian citizens, tourists, expatriates, and foreigners. By maintaining the site's multilingual support (English and Bahasa Melayu) and introducing improved accessibility features, the redesign ensures the portal is welcoming and functional for all users. A more intuitive interface further simplifies navigation, making the website a valuable resource for its varied audience.

In conclusion, the redesign of malaysia.gov.my successfully addresses the primary limitations of the current portal while introducing meaningful improvements to usability, aesthetics and functionality. By implementing a modernized layout, patriotic design elements, enhanced typography, and an informative 'About Us' page, the redesign creates a more user-friendly and visually appealing government portal. This enhanced version not only serves its diverse audience more effectively but also strengthens the online presence of the Malaysian government, reflecting its commitment to accessibility, inclusivity and progress.

(618 words)

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