RE: Integrating across channels

Hi Kelvin,

What this sounds like is that the writer isn't really able to 
envision the content out of context, which is resulting in revisions 
awfully late in the process.

I completely agree with the earlier suggestions of annotated 
wireframes. Also, if the writer is involved with the creation of the 
IA and has a sitemap to work from, then he/she will be able to note, 
right in the Word copy, where the links are supposed to go, as well 
as the ALT tags -- this can be done with footnotes, comments, or 
something similar.

As Steve just said, if the client makes their comments ONLY on the 
Word document, then that can continue to serve as the central 
repository of content. (Two ideas for facilitating this:
1) Make sure to label the content on Web page mockups "for position 
only," and remind the client that manual changes on the Web page will 
not be used.
2) Use the track changes feature in Word)

Then, right before testing the site, paste in the final content from 
Word, and you'll be ready to go!

Hope this helps.

--Hilary


At 10:49 AM -0700 8/31/04, <[email protected]> wrote:
>Kelvin,
>   I am not certain why the copy would change in the design revisions.  It
>seems to me that the original secification would be used for copy, and
>the client approved design specifiation would be used for the web work.
>I can see how this process seems like it should work, in that the links
>don't show in the design, and thus would only inhibit the visualization
>for the client.  Furthermore, they are irrelevant to the overall visual
>design (beyond the blue underlines, of course, if they _should_ be
>visible in the end product.) I am basing this on the assumption that the
>print is used only as a comp for the client's approval and that the
>original specification is passed along with the design approved one.
>
>In a nutshell: there shouldn't be a game of matching copy to design.  The
>copy should be the same throughout.  IF the client changes the copy then
>it should reflect throughout.
>
>>  On Aug 27, 2004, at 6:03 PM, Green, Kelvin wrote:
>>
>>>  Any advice on the how to resolve the situation depicted below would be
>>>  greatly appreciated.
>>>
>>>  I work for a marketing and design firm in the interactive department.
>>>  Since our projects often cross channels, we've having a bit of a
>>>  problem
>>>  during handoffs from client-approved layout to client-approved coded
>>>  page.
>>>
>>>  Depending on the budget, the following steps are usually the
>>>  foundation we follow. To our advantage and disadvantage, the following
>>>  steps are rooted from a print perspective. Ideally, an informed
>>>  approach would allow for multi-service (i.e. Online and offline)
>>>  production cycle.
>>>
>>>  The following steps are typically followed:
>>>
>>>  1] The copywriter writes "web-friendly" copy in Microsoft Word ands
>>>  gives it to the "print" brand designer for layout.
>>>
>>>  2] The designer only uses the "print-friendly" portion of the copy for
>>>  the layout, so URL string paths and ALT tags are left off at this
>>>  stage.
>>>
>>>  3] The layout goes through proofing (as a print out or as PDF/JPG) and
>>>  then off to the client for review and approval.
>>>
>>>  4] The client reviews and suggests revisions which are made directly
>>>  to the print layout.
>>>
>>>  5] The designer makes suggested revisions and puts the revised layout
>>>  in
>>>  proofing and then off to the client for review and approval.
>>>
>>>  6] The client approves.
>>>
>>>  7] The approved print layout comes to my department for development.
>>>
>>>  While a blue line "can" communicate a hypertext link, it doesn't mean
>>>  anything to my development team without the underlying URL. ALT tags
>>>  would be helpful too.
>>>
>>>  8] The account manager advises to use the client-approved layout while
>>>  the copywriter advises to use the original copy (since that's where
>>>  the Web-friendly copy lives).
>>>
>>>  Then the race is on to compare the original copy document to the
>>>  approved client layout and correct the copy and strip out the
>  >> formatting
>>>  so it can be easily integrated into coded layouts.
>>>
>>>
>>>  We waste time trying to integrate copy across the print and
>>>  interactive channels.
>>>
>>>
>>>  My question is: What steps have you found that work when developing
>>>  copy
>>>  for print and online deliverables?
>>>
>>>
>>>  Much thanks.
>>>
>>>  K!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>  - - - - A I G A  E X P I E R I E N C E  D E S I G N - - - -
>>
>>  PURPOSE OF THE LIST:  The objective of AIGA Experience Design is to
>>  build an interdisciplinary community of professionals who design for a
>>  world in which experiences are increasingly digital and connected. This
>>  list has been established as a forum for the exchange of information
>>  among community members.
>>
>>  TO VIEW ARCHIVED MESSAGES: visit
>>  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AIGAExperienceDesign
>>
>>  ETIQUETTE: We ask that participants observe common principles of
>>  civility and e-mail etiquette in their postings. Specifically, it is
>>  more appropriate to challenge ideas than individuals, and the list
>>  should *not* be used for personal communications, self-promotion,
>>  commercial solicitations or job postings.
>>
>>  JOB POSTINGS: Please post job listings on AIGA Design Jobs
>>  http://www.aiga.org/designjobs
>>
>>  TO UNSUBSCRIBE: Send e-mail to
>>  [email protected]
>>
>>  MORE INFORMATION: http://experiencedesign.aiga.org
>>
>>  Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>  - - - - A I G A  E X P I E R I E N C E  D E S I G N - - - -
>>
>>  PURPOSE OF THE LIST:  The objective of AIGA Experience Design is to
>>  build an interdisciplinary community of professionals who design for a
>>  world in which experiences are increasingly digital and connected. This
>>  list has been established as a forum for the exchange of information
>>  among community members.
>>
>>  TO VIEW ARCHIVED MESSAGES: visit
>>  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AIGAExperienceDesign
>>
>>  ETIQUETTE: We ask that participants observe common principles of
>>  civility and e-mail etiquette in their postings. Specifically, it is
>>  more appropriate to challenge ideas than individuals, and the list
>>  should *not* be used for personal communications, self-promotion,
>>  commercial solicitations or job postings.
>>
>>  JOB POSTINGS: Please post job listings on AIGA Design Jobs
>>  http://www.aiga.org/designjobs
>>
>>  TO UNSUBSCRIBE: Send e-mail to
>>  [email protected]
>>
>>  MORE INFORMATION: http://experiencedesign.aiga.org
>>
>>  Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>- - - - A I G A  E X P I E R I E N C E  D E S I G N - - - -
>
>PURPOSE OF THE LIST:  The objective of AIGA Experience Design is to 
>build an interdisciplinary community of professionals who design for 
>a world in which experiences are increasingly digital and connected. 
>This list has been established as a forum for the exchange of 
>information among community members.
>
>TO VIEW ARCHIVED MESSAGES: visit 
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AIGAExperienceDesign
>
>ETIQUETTE: We ask that participants observe common principles of 
>civility and e-mail etiquette in their postings. Specifically, it is 
>more appropriate to challenge ideas than individuals, and the list 
>should *not* be used for personal communications, self-promotion, 
>commercial solicitations or job postings.
>
>JOB POSTINGS: Please post job listings on AIGA Design Jobs 
>http://www.aiga.org/designjobs
>
>TO UNSUBSCRIBE: Send e-mail to 
>[email protected]
>
>MORE INFORMATION: http://experiencedesign.aiga.org
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>


-- 
Hilary Marsh
president, content company inc
plan  *  create  *  manage
http://www.contentcompany.biz
708.217.3922

Monthly newsletter with tips and tricks for keeping your website 
fresh, relevant and strategic -- subscribe at 
http://www.contentcompany.biz, or send a message to 
[email protected] with the word "subscribe" in the 
subject line.

New email list for online content managers: 
http://mailman.skybuilders.com/mailman/listinfo/contentmanagers




------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> 
Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar.
Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free!
http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/ru9rlB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~-> 

- - - - A I G A  E X P I E R I E N C E  D E S I G N - - - -

PURPOSE OF THE LIST:  The objective of AIGA Experience Design is to build an interdisciplinary community of professionals who design for a world in which experiences are increasingly digital and connected. This list has been established as a forum for the exchange of information among community members.

TO VIEW ARCHIVED MESSAGES: visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AIGAExperienceDesign

ETIQUETTE: We ask that participants observe common principles of civility and e-mail etiquette in their postings. Specifically, it is more appropriate to challenge ideas than individuals, and the list should *not* be used for personal communications, self-promotion, commercial solicitations or job postings.

JOB POSTINGS: Please post job listings on AIGA Design Jobs http://www.aiga.org/designjobs

TO UNSUBSCRIBE: Send e-mail to [email protected]

MORE INFORMATION: http://experiencedesign.aiga.org
 
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AIGAExperienceDesign/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    [email protected]

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/