What 4,000 years of art teaches us about Web content and design with Erica Reynolds

EI Program Calendar Web Conference Tuesday, May 13, 2008 1:00 pm ET One Hour Member: $75.00 Non-Member: $95.00 Web design might be relatively new, but art itself is thousands of years old. Ancient, Modern, and Contemporary art from around the world provides an excellent source of inspiration as we build the next generation of Web sites. Ideas on content, planning, philosophy, organization, technology and design are gracing canvases, lurking in brush strokes, lounging on sculptures, and bouncing around multi-media expressions of all types, and all are waiting for you at your local art museum. Additionally, an art-rich outing provides a delightful alternative to traditional staff development activities while building a spirit of collegiality among your co-workers and teammates. Learn what 4,000 years of art taught one Web Content Team, and garner ideas for inspiring team creativity as you endeavor to build new, thoughtful, and art-inspired Web experiences. “This presentation was a real hit at the recent Internet Librarian Conference” The Benefits Participants will be inspired to look at their Web sites through new eyes and learn tips on building new, more functional, and more interesting Web experiences. Who Should Participate Web designers, Web content providers, and anyone who influences or helps to develop Web experiences. No coding experience necessary. Key Topics You Will Explore 12 lessons we can learn from thousands of years of art How these lessons specifically informed the new Johnson County Library Web sites Usability study results and improvements Staff buy-in/participation Erica Reynolds With experience in public, special, and academic libraries, Erica Reynolds currently serves as the Web Content Manager for Johnson County Library in the suburban Kansas City area. The Johnson County Library was one of the first public libraries to build and staff a Web Content Team—a team of seven information professionals with the sole responsibility of developing locally-relevant Web content for the library and community partnership sites. Erica has over ten years of experience in Web development and is regularly invited to present on topics such as Web content, usability, on-line programming, community partnerships, and grant writing. Developed for the Education Institute by Darlene Fichter’s Northern Lights Internet Solutions, Inc., in Saskatchewan