The Architecture of a Website

Martin Pownall, fuse8 Information Architect
Martin Pownall, fuse8 Information Architect, busy building Axisweb and growing his Movember moustache...

We’re rebuilding our website.

I believe there are a lot of parallels with building a manor house. You want the house to have a large, light welcoming entrance hall and many rooms, connected by corridors, stairs and sometimes secret passages. Some of the rooms are public and beautiful, some give you ideas where to go next, some are busy workshops where things are being made, and for some rooms you need a key (or a friend who knows the secret code). The important thing is to get the connections between rooms right.

What’s in a name?

Original AXIS logo
Original AXIS logo

Here at Axis we’re thinking hard about our new visual identity, which we’ll be launching alongside our new web platform in the early part of next year. One of the things we’re also pondering is what we call ourselves.

In general, we’re somewhat dubious about the wisdom of re-brands. Remember Consignia, the disastrous re-branding of our much-loved Royal Mail? We certainly don’t want to go down that route. So, whatever happens, we won’t be calling ourselves something completely different.

Digital agency fuse8 to develop the new Axis

Image from fuse8's proposal
Image from fuse8's proposal

The selection has taken place and I can now reveal that we have appointed digital agency fuse8 to develop the new Axis web platform.

Their proposal was brimming with ideas for how Axis can be developed. Suggesting ways to improve the design and let the artwork stand out, alongside simplifying navigation. They also have some inspiring ideas for technical features that will make the Axis website a much more engaging and enjoyable place to be.

How to write a brief website brief?

Christina Mitrentse, WWW, 2010 - 2011
Artwork by Christina Mitrentse, WWW, 2010 - 2011

Christina Mitrentse, WWW, 2010 – 2011
So I know I promised to keep you updated about our new developments at Axis – and then went quiet! This is mainly because all these things take a little time and we’ve not quite reached the exciting decision stages – we’re still doing the behind-the-scenes foundation work.

We’ve got a few visual identity ideas that we’re mulling over but the bulk of work we’ve been doing recently has been focused on appointing a digital agency to help us create the new Axis web platform.

Who’s who and who’s doing what

I’ve been thinking a lot about how Axis can develop a fantastically useful resource for those of you organising contemporary art exhibitions, events, festivals; looking for speakers for your talks series; an art consultant to evaluate a contemporary art project; a top-notch photographer who knows how to photograph gallery installations without turning the photos into ‘artworks’…

There’s no (iOS3) app for that!

iPhone 3GS updating
iPhone 3GS updating

Have you ever been told by your iPhone that you cannot install an app because you don’t have the right version of iOS? I always thought that’s not a problem, I just upgrade my phone for free via iTunes. But I had to think again…