The Project
Based on ausability test of the Greenfield Village Historic District web pages, our groupis recommending a redesign the pages into a new micro site. The overallobjective for the new Greenfield Village micro site is to provide an individualWeb site for the Greenfield Village 7 Historic Districts that is comprehensive,information and usable. Since The Henry Ford is the largest indoor-outdoormuseum complex in the United States, having a separate information Web site forthe specialized Greenfield Village will allow people that are interested infurther study on the specific site more specialized information that is quicklyand easily found on this micro site. Most importantly, it will increaseusability for visitors—allowing users to have access to the full Henry FordMuseum site without compromising branding.
About The Henry Ford
The Henry Ford inDearborn, Michigan is the world’s premiere history destination that celebrates300 years of American history and innovation. Its mission is to provide unique educationalexperiences based on America’s traditions of ingenuity, resourcefulness andinnovation. Its purpose is to inspire people to learn from these traditions andshape a better future.[1]The Henry Fordholds 26 million authentic artifacts and documents including Thomas Edison’sMenlo Park laboratory, the bus on which Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat,the Wright Brothers’ home and cycle shop, and Buckminster Fuller’s DymaxionHouse. Five distinct attractions at The Henry Ford captivate and inspire morethan 1.6 million visitors annually[2]: Henry Ford Museum, GreenfieldVillage, Ford Rouge Factory Tour, Benson Ford Research Center and the HenryFord IMAX Theater.
Based on ausability test of the Greenfield Village Historic District web pages, our groupis recommending a redesign the pages into a new micro site. The overallobjective for the new Greenfield Village micro site is to provide an individualWeb site for the Greenfield Village 7 Historic Districts that is comprehensive,information and usable. Since The Henry Ford is the largest indoor-outdoormuseum complex in the United States, having a separate information Web site forthe specialized Greenfield Village will allow people that are interested infurther study on the specific site more specialized information that is quicklyand easily found on this micro site. Most importantly, it will increaseusability for visitors—allowing users to have access to the full Henry FordMuseum site without compromising branding.
About The Henry Ford
The Henry Ford inDearborn, Michigan is the world’s premiere history destination that celebrates300 years of American history and innovation. Its mission is to provide unique educationalexperiences based on America’s traditions of ingenuity, resourcefulness andinnovation. Its purpose is to inspire people to learn from these traditions andshape a better future.[1]The Henry Fordholds 26 million authentic artifacts and documents including Thomas Edison’sMenlo Park laboratory, the bus on which Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat,the Wright Brothers’ home and cycle shop, and Buckminster Fuller’s DymaxionHouse. Five distinct attractions at The Henry Ford captivate and inspire morethan 1.6 million visitors annually[2]: Henry Ford Museum, GreenfieldVillage, Ford Rouge Factory Tour, Benson Ford Research Center and the HenryFord IMAX Theater.
DESIGNSPECIFICATIONS
Functional Aspect
To meet theGreenfield Village user needs, the new micro site is easy to navigate andclearly helps the user to identify the seven historic districts. Visitors areable to plan their visit and easily interact with the calendar, for additionalplanning and purchasing memberships or tickets. As a result, all users are ableto map their visit, buy a membership or tickets and look up special events,hours, and calendar of the Village Administrators are able to post updatesquickly and efficiently with the new Drupal platform. Online ticket sales makeprinting tickets easier and provides confirmation numbers in case customerservice representatives are needed during the online order process.
As a unique andpotentially popular feature, and part of the site’s functionality, there is anew feature that allows users to personalize their itinerary and map out theirvisit prior to arriving to the Village. Also, a pdf map and directions in pdfis available for download during the online ordering process.
The new mirco siteaids interested stakeholders, such as volunteers (actors / singers, etc.).Volunteers are easily able to navigate and understand the daily working hoursand upcoming events of the Village. Contributors are able to see how theircontributions help keep the Historic Districts alive and functioning. Seeingthe dollars at work, along with new offerings, retains the stakeholders’interest.
Aesthetics
Another aspect ofWeb site architecture is the aesthetics of the new micro site. The site hasbeen rebranded, but still incorporates the general navigation of the parentsite. The new look puts a greater emphasis on photos and relevant HistoricDistrict information.
Functional Aspect
To meet theGreenfield Village user needs, the new micro site is easy to navigate andclearly helps the user to identify the seven historic districts. Visitors areable to plan their visit and easily interact with the calendar, for additionalplanning and purchasing memberships or tickets. As a result, all users are ableto map their visit, buy a membership or tickets and look up special events,hours, and calendar of the Village Administrators are able to post updatesquickly and efficiently with the new Drupal platform. Online ticket sales makeprinting tickets easier and provides confirmation numbers in case customerservice representatives are needed during the online order process.
As a unique andpotentially popular feature, and part of the site’s functionality, there is anew feature that allows users to personalize their itinerary and map out theirvisit prior to arriving to the Village. Also, a pdf map and directions in pdfis available for download during the online ordering process.
The new mirco siteaids interested stakeholders, such as volunteers (actors / singers, etc.).Volunteers are easily able to navigate and understand the daily working hoursand upcoming events of the Village. Contributors are able to see how theircontributions help keep the Historic Districts alive and functioning. Seeingthe dollars at work, along with new offerings, retains the stakeholders’interest.
Aesthetics
Another aspect ofWeb site architecture is the aesthetics of the new micro site. The site hasbeen rebranded, but still incorporates the general navigation of the parentsite. The new look puts a greater emphasis on photos and relevant HistoricDistrict information.
