Skip to main content

EdGEL (The Edinburgh Global Experience Language)





One of the most admired frameworks in the world of website and web application design is the BBC Global Experience Language.  It is a set of style guides, principles and tools that shapes the BBC's online presence, providing a common look and feel so that users are unaware they are browsing different web sites under the same brand.

I presume that many private corporations have a similar set of guidelines.  The advantage of the BBC GEL is that it is publically available, so we can see the thinking that has gone into developing it.

At the University of Edinburgh, we have developed a similar set of guidelines, which we call the Edinburgh Global Experience Language (EdGEL).  
EdGEL uses a responsive layout, which adapts to the size of the screen that is displaying the content.  It defines common University branding, including typography, colout theming palettes, and standard behaviours (e.g. if you click on the University logo, the web site will always take you to the University's home page).

At the technical level, EdGEL is implemented in HTML5 and Javascript, using the Bootstrap library.  It also uses the LESS or SASS pre-processors for CSS.

The first deployment of the EdGel was  on the central University Website.  It is also available for other web sites, and Development Services have packaged it to be used with all new web applications as well.

So, over time, most of the University's web presence will migrate to this common framework.  This is one way that we will give all our students, staff, and other users a joined-up view of the University that is focussed on your needs rather than internal structures.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Webinar: Powering your business with Cloud Computing

On October 14th, I will be hosting a Grid Computing Now! web seminar on the topic of Cloud Computing. We have lined up two very interesting speakers who are using Cloud now to make businesses work. Ross Cooney had a good technological solution to sell but couldn't make it economic until Cloud Computing allowed him to pay for his computation only when he needed it. He will discuss the instant benefits and long term impact of cloud computing to the development, competitiveness and scalability of your application. Alan Williamson created the BlueDragon Java CFML runtime engine that powers MySpace.com. He advises several businesses and will give an overview of the different types of services available and how to avoid being locked-in to a single supplier. You can register for this event here .
Post a Comment
Read more

Technology Strategy Board: Information Day, 22nd October

I've been asked to publicise the following event. The Technology Strategy Board has arranged an Information Day for Wednesday 22nd October to outline the various R & D Competitions being planned over the next 9 months. This Information Day will provide delegates with an opportunity to find out about the activities of the Technology Strategy Board and gain an understanding of the application process for Collaborative R&D Competitions as well as find out about other Technology Strategy Board activities. The event, being held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Central Birmingham, will open at 09:30 for a 10:00 start and will close at approximately 16:30; a full agenda will be available shortly. To register for this event please click on the following link and complete the on-line registration form For more information on the Technology Strategy Board please visit their web site
Post a Comment
Read more

Business Model Canvas

A Business Model Canvas is a tool for mapping the core functions and capabilities of an organisation.  Compared to the Core Diagrams that I described in an earlier post , the business model canvas attempts to present more aspects of the business, starting with the value proposition – a statement of what the organisation offers to its users (in the business world, to its customers).  It shows the activities and resources, as Core Diagrams do, but also shows user relationships & channels, and also benefits and costs.  I’m not aware of any universities that have used this tool but you can find examples from elsewhere on the web. We are considering business model canvases as a tool for mapping the strategic capabilities of units at the University of Edinburgh.  Phil Taylor, our EA contractor, sketched an outline of what a business model canvas might begin to look like for HR: This is only intended to be suggestive: the real canvas would need to result from in-depth discussions abo
2 comments
Read more