To design or redesign departmental web sites within Arts and Sciences at Tufts University. The web development team at ITS will aim to create the site based upon the specific needs of that department. The web site should be aesthetically interesting, possess a solid color scheme, contain a clear navigation system, and have ease of maintenance. ITS will host the site on the ASE web server (Windows).  It is understood by the department that there are limited resources available to ITS and that not all goals may be feasible. The goals of the department as well as the guidelines set by ITS will be discussed at the initial meeting and throughout the development of the project.

View our portfolio of Tufts web sites.  Contact ITS if you would like to set up a meeting!
 

POLICY & GUIDELINES

Development Process

Stage 1 - Initial Meeting between ITS and Department IP (Information Provider)
Discussion of goals and determine web site structure. Some questions to think about:

• Would you like a custom web design or use an ITS web template?
• Is there a preference in color scheme?
• Logos, photographs, images to use?
• Will you need online forms?
• Navigation & Main links - what are the names for these?

Stage 2 - ITS will create two to three design ideas and present to department IP

• IP to review designs, selecting one to go forward with. ITS open for comments and/or requests.
• Discussion of how lower levels will look

Stage 3 - Refinement of homepage design, creation of lower level pages

Stage 4 - Presentation of complete design, approval from IP to go to development
Note: Changes to images after this approval will incur additional charges.

Stage 5 - Development

• Images are cut appropriately, exported as gifs. Image file size is then reduced for optimum load time.
• Web site is built with images, active links and navigation structure in place. Quality assurance testing is done in 4.0 and later browser versions, on both PC and Mac platforms.
• IP reviews the site and gives approval to launch.

Policies

• In keeping stride with technology, ITS designs/codes all web sites to function in 5.0 browsers or later.  We are conscious of earlier browser versions but cannot always develop a site to perform optimally in the earlier versions.

• ITS uses Flash, CSS, DHTML, and other cutting edge technology only in departmental web designs that are maintained by ITS.

• Unless requested by IP and/or warranted by ITS, a frames structure is avoided.

Maintenance is important since it keeps the site current and allows for a useful, interactive tool for students, faculty, staff, and other visitors. ITS establishes a relationship with the key contact of the department, who we call the Information Provider (faculty or staff). The IP is responsible for the nature of the content that goes into the site and should take initiative in having someone deliver that content to the ITS department for updates. For more information on how updates are executed, please see the ITS web maintenance plan.

Fees and Timeframe

ITS has not raised fees in seven years and currently charges $25/hour for design (or redesign) and implementation.  ITS cannot make estimates as to the timeframe needed for completion, as all department sites are unique in size, content, and complexity.  ITS accepts all jobs on a first come/first serve basis, and they are subject to availability of resources.  Fees subject to change as needed.