Let's Make the Redesigned AIA Communication Two-Way
One of the beauties of Web-based communication is that it allows readers to participate directly in an open exchange of published ideas. Among the many options now possible through AIArchitect is a blog being launched this week by AIA Executive Vice President/CEO Christine McEntee. She will tell you the thinking behind this new format and give you the opportunity to express your views.
Hello again and welcome to the new look for AIArchitect. If you haven't already, I welcome you to click around this week's edition and see what you think. If you have thoughts to share, go to "Add Comments" below and let everyone benefit.
As President Kate Schwennsen, FAIA, mentions in her column this week, this redesigned publication is just one result--albeit a highly visible one--of an ongoing endeavor on the part of the AIA national component staff to solicit direction from you the members and pay careful attention to what we hear. Survey responses from more than a thousand AIA members completed earlier this year as well as many, many comments from you to me--all gratefully received--pointed up four clear areas where we can focus more carefully to make AIA communications of more value to you:
- Give members more in the way of immediately useable practice information
- Make it easier for every individual browsing AIA Web offerings to find pertinent information quickly
- Make stories shorter and still--for readers with a special interest in detailed analysis--offer ready access to more in-depth coverage
- Make AIArchitect a gateway to other information and a vehicle through which members can communicate with each other.
Useable practice information
You will find a continuation of the popular risk-management series in this issue from authors James Atkins, FAIA, and Grant Simpson, FAIA. This month they talk about the challenges of changes in design details and specifications. You'll also find news on regulatory trends as well as tips on evaluating the effectiveness of your communications.
Quick access to information you want
At the heart of the new AIArchitect layout is its zone organization. News is at the top, followed by sections on practice, business trends from AIA research and outside sources, and the latest design developments. Continuing education opportunities? They're in there, including a link to a new AIA/CES offering still under development: podcasts.
Make articles shorter
A time-honored rephrasing of Occam's Razor is: "State everything as simply as possible, and no simpler." Thus, it is true that some topics will need more in-depth coverage than others. The AIA communications audit tells us something else that it is equally important to members, though: "Save me time." AIArchitect is now adhering to a length limit for all articles. For those topics that call for more detail, interested readers will find one or more links to fuller explanations. One example in this week's issue is the Best Practices in Risk Management feature, which links to a much-more detailed, print-friendly PDF file.
More interactivity on-line
The new AIArchitect presentation takes advantage of the power of the Internet to facilitate instant links to other more-specialized sources and allow immediate interaction between sender and recipient, which brings me to my final point today. More accurately, this is President Schwennsen's final point. I am hard-pressed to improve on the power and poignancy of her words, so I lift them verbatim:
Give us your feedback
We listened and, with the design specifications in hand, launched a new AIArchitect, with the goal of making this primary communications resource a "must-read" publication. "Must-read" is code for providing value to members to be true to the promise of the AIA's mission: "To be the voice of the architectural profession and the resource for members in service to society."
Read AIArchitect with particular care. Does it meet the design specs identified by the audit? Are we delivering on the promise of being the best source of information to help you learn to make a living and to live a life?
It's a new day, a day filled with energy, potential, and optimism. Let's make the best of it. Let's hear from you.
Comments (44)
Great idea!......................But, I fear you're opening Pandoras Box and may be overwhelmed by the shear numbers of your responses.
Posted by Charles Myers | September 15, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 15, 2006 00:00
I don't know if there are some technical glitches in the re-launch or if there is a problem on my end, but the graphics seem to be off. Text seems to run past its margins, there is no masthead, and some text is horribly illegible against the dark gray background.
Posted by Mike Boyle | September 15, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 15, 2006 00:00
The orange text cannot be read against the gray background. The white is pretty hard to read as well against the gray. All text could stand to be bumped up a size or two - why is it all so small? We are pretty young here and we can't see it... lol!
Posted by Pamela | September 15, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 15, 2006 00:00
The new layout is graphically stimulating...to a fault. In exchange for the wordy intros to articles we now have high resolution images that take a long time to download even with a high speed connection. Nonetheless, I am excited to see the transformation and look forward to continued improvements. Kudos!
Posted by Rob | September 15, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 15, 2006 00:00
I like the look of the site and the shorter articles, but I second the other comments about the orange font on the brown background. Unless you highlight each item they are difficult to read. I also agree that the size of the font could be bumped up a bit, but contrast in colors is absolutely essential for good readability.
Posted by Mike | September 15, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 15, 2006 00:00
Have to agree that the format is hard to read, especially for us older people; the black or blue lettering on a dark background is almost impossible to read.
Posted by Ricks S. | September 15, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 15, 2006 00:00
Totally agree with previous comments as the one below. The dull colors makes all very difficult to see. What was wrong with the previous graphic interface????? Also there is a sence of boreness overall...no fun!
"The orange text cannot be read against the gray background. The white is pretty hard to read as well against the gray. All text could stand to be bumped up a size or two - why is it all so small? We are pretty young here and we can't see it... lol!"
Posted by Sydney Head | September 15, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 15, 2006 00:00
I find the blue lettering on black background very hard to read.
Posted by Brian F. Larson | September 15, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 15, 2006 00:00
The redesign is terrible, it is not readable at all. I like at least a little paragraph describing the articles too. Bring back the previous design!
Posted by architectress | September 15, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 15, 2006 00:00
I like the one page format but found it hard to get past the visual cacophany. The graphic design seems haphazard.
I absolutely agree with the above comments regarding the colors - orange on gray, blue on gray, blue on orange, etc. Someone with colorblindness might not be able to read this at all.
Posted by Leslye W. | September 15, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 15, 2006 00:00
Agreed, agreed, agreed, agreed....with virtually all of the prior constructive comments, especially regarding legibility. How is it possible that so many "creatives" can so readily agree? Must be something legitimate to the opinions.
Posted by Jim | September 15, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 15, 2006 00:00
It's come to our attention that certain browsers aren't delivering the issue as intended, failing to connect the style sheets. Rick S's comments, for instance, mention black and blue text. The issue shouldn't have any . Might want to check www.aia.org/aiarchitect to make sure you're seeing it as intended.
Posted by Terry | September 15, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 15, 2006 00:00
CAN NOT READ BLUE lettering on CHARCOAL background. This is readable nightmare. Harold
Posted by Harold L. Adams, FAIA | September 15, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 15, 2006 00:00
My Kiplinger link ain't working.
Posted by Paul R. Wilson AIA(em) | September 15, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 15, 2006 00:00
Good catch, Paul. The link works on the Web site (www.aia.org/aiarchitect) but it was a bit short in the mailer this week. Here's the full URL for Kiplinger:
www.aia.org/aiarchitect/secure/thisweek06/0915b_kip.cfm
Posted by Doug Gordon | September 15, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 15, 2006 00:00
The new edition doesn't work well with Safari. Some of the links don't seem to work properly. The backgrounds keep toggling back and forth between different colors. And it takes forever to load, even with a high-speed connection.
Posted by Jim Nielson | September 15, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 15, 2006 00:00
I have the misfortune to be both an architect and a web designer!. Ok the blog has its problems - I think they are more structural and navigational than graphic. Any new website does have glitches unfortunately - they need testing on hundreds of combinations of platforms and browsers, which can be hard to do when running to a deadline. Unlike buildings, a lot of the finishing work tends to get done after launch. By complete coincidence I came to this blog straight from this blog post, on an external site (should open in a new window).
If Architects had to work like web designers
PS to webmaster : running latest firefox on XP the footer on this page has floated off to the right of the main div.
Posted by Peter Johns | September 16, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 16, 2006 00:00
In true stereotypical architect fashion, we now have a newsletter which looks much better than the old, but doesn't function as well. Instead of clicking on a link and printing, I have to search for tiny text about a PDF and click and wait again to get something printable to keep and actually read.
Posted by David Esau | September 18, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 18, 2006 00:00
I am having trouble reading the words because of the colors used. Blue on Black is not a good combo.
Thanks for your efforts.
Brian
Posted by brian hardin | September 18, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 18, 2006 00:00
Overall impression of the new format is good. There is a problem with the background and text colors in the right-hand column and the CAREERCENTER at the bottom.
Some text is positioned over other text.
A few bugs to work out but very handsome.
Posted by Jack F. Kerr, AIA | September 18, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 18, 2006 00:00
Chris, congratulations to you and your staff for creating the New "AIArchitect." The AIA and it's leadership are often criticized for lack of communication. The truth is that with so many programs that generate so much excellent information, communicating all these good deeds has been a daunting task. The New and improved "AIAarchitect" has made a quantum leap in changing all that. Yes, like most software, including that of Microsoft, maybe there is some tweaking that has to occur. However, in general, in an inviting and easy to navigate format, "AIAarchtect" places at your fingertips the wealth of knowledge and information the AIA has to offer. All this and interactivity too. When was the last time the AIA invited you to share your thoughts in such an open, candid, and honest s fashion? So far the comments submitted are surely meant to be constructive and are certain to be easily corrected. So, once again, what a GREAT JOB.
Posted by David J. Brotman, FAIA | September 18, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 18, 2006 00:00
Apropos the INTRODUCTION and interview with Thom Mayne
The Southern California Institute of Architecture SCI-ARC was founded by well-known Los Angeles architect, Ray Kappe FAIA, who also had previously founded the then successful Architecture Department at Cal Poly Pomona. In 1972, Founding Director Kappe, leased the building and hired six young faculty : Ahe Lahti, Thom Mayne, Bill Simonian, Glen Small, Jim Stafford and Shelly Kappe, who became the high-energy, committed Founding Faculty so important to SCI-ARC’s success. Ray Kappe, in addition to having a successful, award-winning practise, had also been active in AIA/LA, AIA/CC and the National AIA, which helped bring immediate professional support so important to the school. Under the skilled direction of Ray Kappe, SCI-ARC started to grow and thrive and in just four years achieved national professional accreditation with an energized student body of 400. SCI-ARC and its European Program in (Lugano) Switzerland have influenced numerous schools in the U.S. and abroad, and has long been considered one of the most respected schools of architecture. Today at 34 years, it is part of the downtown L.A renaissance, with its 500 students and over 3,000 graduates working, practicing, writing, and teaching all over the world.
Posted by Shelly Kappe Hon.AIA | September 18, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 18, 2006 00:00
Re: readability....ditto....The orange on light gray AND blue on dark gray causes eyes to actually hurt...Color combinations and contrast levels need to be revisited asap. The new approach has actually turned an enjoyable experience into a painful one.
Re: Kiplinger....ditto....Was unable to open.
Re: New format....Couldn't be objective.
Posted by K.A. Madigan, AIA | September 18, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 18, 2006 00:00
I submitted an article, along with a picture of the student, to AIArchitect regarding the NAACP ACT-SO Program and my mentee winning a gold medal in the national competition. The ture purpose of this article is/was to inspire the profession to "reach back" to help others, particularly Black high school students, become interested in the field of architecture.
Will that ever be published?
Posted by Leon Bridges, FAIA | September 18, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 18, 2006 00:00
Hard to read black text against a dark gray background. Truncated titles make it difficult to decide if you want to expand the topic. Personally, I prefer the previous format.
Posted by Steven M. Reardon | September 18, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 18, 2006 00:00
Thank you for all of your helpful comments. As one comment indicated, new formats of electronic communications are works in progress and we will continue to work on graphics and links to make this is as easy to use as possible.
I am really interested though in hearing about the content. You told us that content needs to be more relevant to your day to day lives in practice - what do you think? Is the content becoming more relevant? What topics would you like to see addressed?
Posted by Chris McEntee | September 21, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 21, 2006 00:00
Love the new format and redirected content. Well Done!
I, too, have comments on readability. I don't like having to lean on my elbows --right up to the screen to be able to read it. The text is too hard to read with grey reversed on grey. The gold on grey is also hard to read. The typeface is too condensed-- needs more breathing room between letters.
Posted by Bonnie | September 22, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 22, 2006 00:00
You are calling AIA Archiblog a blog, but it is not operating like one. I wish it did. Here are some suggestions:
1. You should be able to click on the top banner to navigate back to the "maiin" page, or the latest posting.
2. You should be able to click on a highlghted day in the calendar on the left-hand side to go to the posting from that date.
3. You should be able to scroll down through a month's worth of postings on the main page.
4. There should be "next posting", "main page", and "previous posting" buttons at the top of the page under the bannner. At this point, I have to go back and forth through my RSS reader to find other postings.
5. You should be able to set a bookmark in your browser to go to the blog main page. Now you can only set a bookmark to a particular posting.
I am using a Mac with the Safari browser, but I tried it with Firefox, too, with the same bad results.
thanks, Mel Schenck, TP. Ho Chi Minh, Viet Nam
Posted by Mel Schenck | September 23, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 23, 2006 00:00
Will we be able to comment on any article or just specific ones? Please explain.
Posted by J. Farkas | September 30, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 30, 2006 00:00
Responses to Mel Schenck and J. Farkas:
It's true that we could have a more facile blog system for browsing, and we are confident there will be. Initially, this is a bit of an experiment, so we started with fairly basic software. The participation is already encouraging, so an upgrade seems logical.
The thinking behind having a blog was to get people talking about things of interest. So we encourage all comments about stories or any other topics you might think are of interest to your colleagues. If you can't find a suitable place to post them on the blog, send them via e-mail, and we'll find a way to get them out to America's Community of Architects.
Thanks for asking.
Posted by Doug Gordon | September 30, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 30, 2006 00:00
A reader asks if comments are welcome on any article or just certain ones.
The answer is - send us your thoughts on any articles or issues that you want to discuss. We welcome all of them. Here are two things on my mind.
I am in Orlando as I am writing this and reflecting on the Superdome article. It has me wondering, how are priorieties established for massive rebuilding after a disaster? And while here, I have visited a nature preserve teaming with life after much concerted effort. Yet, with global warming, will this be under water again some day, as it was a very long time ago? And how can we effectively mobilize our members and others to address this strategic priority for the AIA and our country?
Posted by Chris McEntee | September 30, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 30, 2006 00:00
It hurts to read! The green &; gray lettering on the white background is awful; the white lettering on the dark gray bakground is worse; but the gray lettering on gray background is impossible! The font size is way, way too small! This design is too painfully architecturally chic & (might I say) sadistic. Pls. be kind- Thanks
Posted by Linda Alonso, AIA | October 2, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on October 2, 2006 00:00
Survey results about the ARE misleading. California in 2005 added the requirement of completing IDP and CIDP but did grandfather in prior applicants. Survey results should note that many jumped into the pool to take ARE to avoid IDP & CIDP.
Posted by David Sheston AIA | October 3, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on October 3, 2006 00:00
A few comments:
Very difficult site to negociate. Doesn't feel 'open' and interactive?
Hard to find topics. Search usually results in no results or they are not relevant.
Text is too small and header is clipped.
How do you add a new topic? Isn't that an obvious feature?
Years ago (10?) AIA had a wb site where emails on specific topics where logged and could be read. What ever happened to that email reader based system?
Thanks for listening.
Posted by Kevin Rush | February 11, 2007 11:07 PM
Posted on February 11, 2007 23:07
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Posted on April 18, 2007 21:01
Cool site. I have...
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Posted by louise | July 12, 2007 12:22 PM
Posted on July 12, 2007 12:22
Cool site. I have...
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Posted by louise | July 12, 2007 12:22 PM
Posted on July 12, 2007 12:22
I would like to express my disappointment with the schedule of most, if not all, seminars and lectures sponsored by AIA or certified by AIA for the use of architects to obtain required CEU credits. Why all or most of these events are offered only on weekdays? Why not during weekends, when most of us could attend without taking a vacation day or a day without pay? Why do the providers of these events think architects have so much free time from work?
Is there something that can be done in this matter?
Posted by Marzena Wolnikowski, AIA | November 15, 2007 1:48 PM
Posted on November 15, 2007 13:48