This web site will be a resourse for those looking to get started in Star Wars Costuming, and possibly joining the 501st Legion with their screen accurate Stormtrooper/Sandtrooper armor. There are two main purposes of this site. First it will contain a condensed list of links to vendors, forum threads and builds so those wanting to learn can refer back to this one site for everyhting. Second it will provide a library of visual reference so that the user of this site wont have to track down all of the references on their own. This site is meant to help contain the clutter of information located all over the internet on this particular topic.
Audience:
The target audience for this site are individuals who are looking to start building their own screen accurate Stormtrooper/Sandtrooper costume. Typically these individuals will also be interested in joining the 501st. Typically the audience is men between the ages of 25-40, though there is variation in age and women do participate but are signifigantly fewer in number.
Needs Assessment:
Four members of the MEPD and FISD (Mos Eisley Police Department and First Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment) provided me with guidence on how they would have liked a site liek this when they were startign out..
Questions asked to the group: What type of information would you find most helpful on our web site?
A list of vendors that create a sell vaccuformed Stormtrooper armor.
A Library of reference images and screenshots directly from the films
Links to various forum topics, specifically armor builds
Links to materials needed to construct the armor
Information on the process of joining the 501st Legion
What type of information do you NOT want to see included on the website?
Most made note that this site should not become a discussion area or a forum. There are far too many of those for this specific topic and it would defet their sole purpose of the website
Which areas of this costume would you have liked more reference?
Helmet variations
Internal construction
Five reference websites
These sites are examples of good and/or bad artifacts that are considering for the final design.
For a nagivation, this website provides the navagation style that is closest to the preference of those interested in Stormtrooper Costuming. Here is an example of good navigation.
For an AVOID layout, this website align web components vertically and doesn't create intuitive environment to the audiences. This is an avoid example of layout.
For a content style, this site will avoid the confusing process of this AVOID content style.
For prefered color scheme, this website should tie back to it's main resource, and should mimic this as prefered colors.
Content:
Based on responces and my own personal experience, I have chosen to include the following content areas:
Vendor List A List of all known (and public) armor vendors and how to contact them.
Reference This area will contain reference images for the different types of Stormtroopers/Sandtroopers seen on screen
Material ResourcesThis section will create a shopping list for other materials needed to build the costume with links to where they can purchase.
BuildThis section will feature links to various build threads on forums and videos so that the user can see examples of how the armor should be constructed.
501st Approval Process This section will provide a step-by-step guide to joining the 501st once the costume is complete.
Presentation of Information/Rationale of Organization:
The web site will be hierarchical in nature because I have a central subject with supporting pages.
Each page should be consistant. The look and feel should remain unchanged when you travel to each page.
There will be a banner at the top of ever page.
Under the banner there will be a navigation menu including links to all of the pages on the site and a link to contact.
The fonts, text size, colors and other design elements should remain the same on each page.
Link back to the home page
The home page will be set up as more of a landing page.
There will be a summary of what the website is meant to be.
There will be links to each section of the website.
There will be a contact form as well.
Each subsequent page on the site will refer back to the home page.
There will be a links and resource section on each page, as well as a more detailed list underneath for more information.
The pages should not exceed 2-3 screen lengths.
Here is my proposed content for each page:
Find It
Links on where to find armor as well as information on each builder including their individual strengths and weaknesses.
The will also be a visual shopping list on what hardware and softgoods will be necessary to finish the build.
Build It
Links to build threads, videos and other resources for building the armor.
Get Trooping
This page will be dedicated to providing information on how to join the 501st legion.
It will provide links to the costuming standards set by the 501st. As well as links directly to the approval form.
