For my latest project, I am creating a website called The Needle Exchange which is a knitting site for the 21st century featuring alternative, quirky and unusual knitting patterns, how-to videos and a forum for users to interact.
So far, all I have done with the design is plan a home page.
My intention at the moment is to have videos on the home page instructing visitors on the basics of knitting, for those who have never done it before. The “How-To Videos” button will open a page which also has several other videos showing more complex techniques.
The “Home” “Forum and “Contact” buttons are self explanatory, whilst the “Patterns” button will link to a page showing sections of content, navigating the visitor to actual free knitting patterns. (Not knitted doilies, more like handcuffs or vampire plushies.)
I have used a simple, crisp layout and straightforward logo/header in order to make navigation easy. The site will feature a wide range of themes in terms of content, so i wanted to create an interface which does not clash with any of this content.
My decision to place the navigation buttons in the footer is unconventional but I feel it will work (I have seen it done successfully elsewhere) as it is clear and obvious. I am making an “alternative” themed site, so some breaking of “rules” is, I believe in order.
Polana Fowdrey 