Final Summary

My original idea was to create a website for landscape architecture students and professionals to put their portfolios on the web.  This website would teach people how to design their own customized website.  After creating their site, the client would then be able to connect with different employers and firms who could search all these different sites.  This could help students and prospective employees for possible career opportunities.

However my original idea has changed throughout the course of the semester.  Instead of just gearing the website towards landscape architects, I decided to gear it towards all design professions (i.e. architects, interior designers, landscape designers etc.).  After receiving some comments from my peers I realized that many of the other design professions besides landscape architects also lack portfolios online. 

Another aspect of my idea that has changed is teaching people how to create their own website.  I decided to create different templates that people can then customize to look the way they want.  I will still have a step by step tutorial for those who are willing to learn basic web design skills, but I will not require it in order for someone to create their own personal website.

Certain computer software and programs will be needed in order to make this idea a reality.  Operating systems including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux can be used by my employees as long as they are able to support Adobe products.  I will also need a Linux based server to host the website because it is open source, there are no license fees, and also no viruses.  Photoshop which will help create the website itself, but also the templates that the clients will use to create their individual sites.  Security software will be needed to protect my computers and my clients’ computers.  We do not want any loss of data due to viruses, worms, Trojan Horses etc. When clients log into their accounts on my website, they should make sure that they have a secure password.  I will provide a rating system when clients sign up to how strong their password is.  This is extremely important because there will be credit card transactions on this website.  Also, accounts for different social media websites will help me promote this website as well as keep my followers up to date on different events related to the different professions. 

In order to make this idea into a reality there are a few things that I would need.  The first thing is that I need to build on my HTML and CSS skills.  I also would need to learn Javascript and hire a small team of graphics designers and programmers.  I would also need to upgrade my own personal computer as well as make sure that my team has all the software they will need to create and maintain the website such as Photoshop.  I only have a laptop right now and it cannot handle a lot of the computer graphics programs.  Some people will need to maintain the website while others will need to handle the social media websites.  I would also need to buy a server and a domain name.  Once all this is done we are ready to get these portfolios online.