Smooth Web Design and Cool Graphics Keep The O.C. Hot Online

Many TV networks recognize the power of good web design as a way to reach viewers regularly. Fox Television's The O.C.'s Web site keeps viewers up to date on the latest episodes and lets them stay in touch with other fans on message boards, and Fox strengthens a loyal fan-base in the process.

Web Design and Successful Web Sites

A Flash intro slides across the screen with music playing in the background. The main page pops up with a hot orange and red background greeting the eye when first landing on The O.C.'s web site. Clouds move along in the background to add to the web design with dynamic graphics. Actor Benjamin McKenzie, who plays Ryan Atwood, head shot slides to the front of the Web site's home page.

Smooth Transitions

The O.C.'s Web design allows different windows to slide up on the right hand side of the screen as the user clicks the navigation tabs. Web surfers can easily click to find out that McKenzie has an economics degree just as easily as they can check out photos and video (albeit a broadband connection makes everything better if you have it).

The O.C.'s "Features" section is a mish-mash of cool stuff. A viewer can find out what the Music Supervisor, Alexandra Patsavas, has in store for the latest Indie and rock bands to play on the show. This list already includes bands like The Killers and Modest Mouse. The web design also allows viewers to download a skate game. A short Surfer to English Dictionary helps viewers stay current on their surf lingo.

The Other "O.C.": The Online College and Earning a Web Design Degree

An online college can get you going with a Web design course or a full degree to learn how to design Web sites like The O.C.'s site. A typical Web design course could include topics like HTML or JavaScript programming. You can start to learn about Web design programs with courses in Flash which makes intros like The O.C.'s intro.

Plus, having an artistic eye for Web design graphics and a sense for developing easy navigation for the Web site are other talents that could really benefit from an online college web design degree. With an online college degree in hand perhaps, you could have the opportunity to do the Web design and graphics for a hit TV show like The O.C's Web site.

Sources
The O.C.'s Web site

About the Author
James Tolles is the Managing Editor for hq|publications. He helped write and edit the successful application for Sparks, NV that earned the city honors as a 2004 All-America City Finalist-a title held by only 30 cities in the nation. He is also a freelance writer. He attended a four year liberal arts college and holds two B.A. degrees, one in Creative Writing and the other in History.