Farm Website Continued

Progress.
I've been working all week trying to get the main layout positioned correctly. I still have some glitches to work out, but the main part is pretty much done. I'm still working on compiling all of the information. I took a couple pictures this weekend to add to the Photo Gallery page.

Research.

Holstein Cattle - Yes, I know it's Wikipedia, but it does give very accurate information about the breed the Smoker's carry.

Cattle Colors in Pastoral Herds - I've always wondered how cattle of the same breed are always different colors. This gives a researched opinion of how color is "chosen."

The Cattle Site - Gives a list of all the different breeds of cows out there, and explanation of each one, and recent news for each breed.

Lingo - Some cattle lingo.

Reflection.

This week, I decided to focus my research on the different types of cattle out there. Who knew that there were so many kinds of cows and the different lingo that is used! I knew some of this information already from being around the farm, but I never knew there was that much information out there. I now understand more about exactly what kind of cattle the Smoker's raise, as well as some new phrases and terms I can use; not just when I'm on the farm, but as well as the website.

Project 1: Farm Website

Brainstorming.
I'm currently working on a logo design and color palette for this website. I'm also compiling all of the information about the farm from the owners.

I decided to go with a "rust" color palette. The farm has been in the family since the 40s, so it shows tradition and age. Most things on the farm are not new. They are older and rusted and have been used a lot. This is my reasoning for going with the "rusted" colors.

Research.
An article I found from 1999 on the farm. I need to have the family read this to see if it is up to date.
Top Beef Hand Article

Here is a short article from 1965 on the history of how the beef cattle industry developed.
Development of the Beef Cattle Industry

Land use for crops is inversly proportional to cow/calf numbers.
Beef Cow Numbers, Crop Acreage, and Crop Policy

How relationships are affected/changed within a family business.
Strategic Management of the Family Business


Reflection.
After reading the articles, I became to understand more how the Smoker's farm is affected by numerous things. Working with your family members can cause a lot of drama and stress. It happens to every family business. The key is communication, which is something that I have seen with the Smokers. Another thing that affects the farm is the amount of crops grown. If farmers decide to pasture their calves, the Smokers have more of an opportunity to bring in more cattle. However, if the farmers decide to plant crops instead of pasturing, the Smokers bring in less cattle each year. I learned about about the beef cattle industry began with the 1965 article. It gives me more of an understanding of how and why it began.

Project Ideas.

With this class, I want to do projects that will showcase my strengths with topics that I am interested in.

Idea #1 - Game Day Programs
I coach high school softball, and pre-season workouts are in full swing. I figured I could take my love for the game and tie it into my education. Fans like to look at programs and learn a little about the players, coaches, and team history. I wanted to make one of these programs that included that information, some other tidbits, and advertisements.

Idea #2 - Farm Website
My boyfriend is part owner of his family farm, and they have approached me to help them get a website up and running. They raise beef cattle and are a well-known farm in LaPorte County. This would entail making a new logo for the farm, gathering up all the information about the steps of raising beef cattle, how they're farm works, and putting it all on a website.
Another section of their farm is selling pumpkins and fall decor. It would be nice to have a section of their website dedicated to this part of their family-owned business. It could showcase the different kinds of pumpkins/gourds they grow as well as the decorations that are made. This may be difficult to add to the website, considering it is winter. So this is still kind of up in the air for me.
Idea #2 - Part two
With farmers, they like to have their logo/farm name plastered on everything - Sides of trucks, sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, business cards, advertisements, emails, checks, etc. I think it would be neat to take this new logo I'm designing for them and make a bunch of promotional materials.

Idea #3 - Interactive Piece
I'm not sure how doable this will be, or how I go about doing it without the program, Director. I would like to make an interactive piece where viewers roll over a section and information about that particular piece pops up.

Idea #4
After Effects Piece or Poster Design