Digital Built Environment: Georgia Tech

https://twitter.com/georgiatech

https://twitter.com/georgiatech

The Georgia Institute of Technology is a premier research institution and one of the top public schools in the country. Its variety of academic programs, teaching staff, and internship opportunities make it a leader among universities. Students from around the globe compete for admission. Gatech.edu effectively communicates the world class standing of this historic institution. The website provides comprehensive information about the school in an easy-to-navigate format.

Upon arriving at the homepage (see artifact here), there lies a compelling slide show which links to interesting stories that give the user a feel for what life is like at Tech. The tabs provide categories that most users would fall under so that the information presented beyond that point is best fit for that specific user, whether it be “parents,” “alumni,” or “prospective students.” The addition of a search bar to the homepage makes it easier for the user to find relevant content. Under the menu tab, it gives more information about who Georgia Tech is.

The site’s hundreds of pages are clean, modern, and consistently framed with black and gold. The design is intuitive, and the tabs are clearly marked and in a precise order that is most helpful to the user. In addition, the site provides stimulating and engaging photos and videos to help its user better understand the work Tech is apart of.

A unique feature I discovered on the site is a page where the user can provide feedback. Interactive fields are provided for the user to express their questions and concerns. The public has no access to directly comment on or change any information on the site, but this feedback option gives the user the feeling of freedom to express their opinion.

The many pictures on each page give me the impression that Tech is an enjoyable place with many opportunities during a student’s time at the school and after they have graduated. Although it took some concentrated searching, I found an “accessibility” link at the footer of one page. The accessibility page gives ample information on how students with disabilities are accommodated on campus. There are many links on the page to other organizations like projects at Georgia Tech whose purpose is to better the lives of those with disabilities. There is an email address for those who may have questions about Tech’s accessibility.

The website provides ample information on the research done at Tech, dining options, events around campus, sports and the music program, and much more. Tech’s website is successful in its purpose to recruit prospective students and to give details about what life could be like for the website user.

Annotated Bib 11 Digital Environment Arup

“Living in a Digital Built Environment.” Digital_Built_Environment. Arup, 2015. Web. 28 Mar. 2016. <http://www.arup.com/digital_built_environment>.

"Living in a Digital Built Environment." Digital_Built_Environment. Arup, 2015. Web. 28 Mar. 2016. .

“Living in a Digital Built Environment.” Digital_Built_Environment. Arup, 2015. Web. 28 Mar. 2016. <http://www.arup.com/digital_built_environment>.

This website presents information about Arup’s view of what technology can do for the world’s future. Arup is a company in the UK that provides engineering, design, project management, and consulting services for all aspects of the built environment. This video posted on the Arup website, http://www.arup.com/digital_built_environment, discusses how technology will change how people interact with each other and the architecture in which they live. This digital, technological world is giving people more choices on how they get to work everyday, whether it be a new public transportation system or a self-driving car. They also talk about the Singapore Sports Hub which is a large stadium of 55,000 seats that has a moveable ceiling and movable seating. Technology is allowing people to do things now that no one would have imagined could be possible less than ten years ago. The digital environment creates an opportunity to be more efficient, and to better understand the architecture of a building before the foundation is laid.