Military Allowance Calculator (single page layout)
a widget and apps (uncoded) project by caseym

Creative brief

Business Name

Military Tips

What do you do?

Provide tips and advice to military personnel

Do you have a desired widget or app screen size?

The current width of the content area is 85em, but I am comfortable going a bit wider if needed. You can see the template I'm using for this design here: http://militarytips.net/template.html

How many pages do you need designed?

One

What is your industry?

Government and Municipal

Describe the target audience for your widget or app

The target audience is military personnel who are moving to a new base. They are coming to the web site to look up housing allowance rates for the area they are moving to.

What are 3 things would you like to communicate to your audience through your widget or app design?

Simplicity, functionality, intuitive.

What widget or app design styles do you like?

I like clean, spacious design with clear calls to action. Some designs I like are http://www.copyblogger.com/, an admin template found here: http://preview.walkingpixels.com/huraga, and http://wufoo.com/.

What colors do you want to see in your widget or app design?

I would like to use colors similar to my site at http://militarytips.net. If you refresh the page you will see different "war posters" show up on the right column. I like the colors within those posters. But I'm not tied to anything specific and open to different colors that fit with the logo/header on the site.

What colors do you NOT want to see in your widget or app design?

Pink

What adjectives should best describe your widget or app design?

Functional, helpful, useful, makes complex data simple.

What content must be included in the widget or app design?

Please see the attached example which I've put together. The design should be based on that concept, but with better colors and design elements. I'm very concerned with the user interface and making sure it is intuitive, and not too cluttered. All of the content displayed needs to be in the design. You do not need to change the logo and top header. Required elements are:

1: Needs to clearly show the user the starting point on the page, which is the Search or Browse, and Choose Grade and Dependents area which is in the upper left corner.

2: The next priority is to clearly display the BAH rate and Home Purchase (two boxes directly below the search area). These are the two primary "results" that come out of searching for a base and adjusting grade and with/without dependents.

3: The Additional Costs table below the map should show three main things: 1) VA Loan Fee and 2) Additional Monthly Costs, resulting in 3) total monthly payment. I would like to differentiate these three things, since the loan fee is a one time payment, while the property tax and home insurance are monthly.

4. The Call to Action form should include Name, Email, and submit button. It should also include some details that the user is submitting such as grade, loan amount, and if they are making a down payment.

5. One thing I would like to fit in that's not on the template right now is an option to enter a Down Payment in a text field.

6. There should be a rollover popup that explains some of the percentages and checkboxes.

7. I would like to include a Facebook "Like" button somewhere on the page.

Do you have additional requirements or links you'd like to share?

Web site: http://militarytips.net
Template: http://militarytips.net/template.html