The Native Continent subsection had three subsections of its own, each of which again had several other sub-subsections. This table-of-contents style organisation posed a real design challenge. Ordinarily, we would have opted for a pragmatic, information-centred design which ensured that the tree structure of multiple chapters with their sub and sub-sub-headings was always clear. However, we were asked instead to make this section graphically appealing in order to impress upon decision makers that the intentions of the site was ultimately to develop more innovative, "experience" oriented content—an approach better adapted to the site's 18-24 year old audience. Clearly, the task of navigation and page design was caught between opposing intentions and realities.

     We stepped up to the challenge. Below is the Ancient Canada Main Page. Anticipating that the site would be data-base driven, we decided to keep the content part of the page relatively seperate from design elements. The top of the page and the left margin were designated as zones where graphic play could take place, as well as being the place for consistent navigation options.

     The design relied heavlily on a series of imaginary landscapes representing the different time periods in Ancient Canada's subsections (ice age, pre-contact and first contant). Senior designer Marie-Jacques Rouleau was responsible for creating these. They ran along the top of the page, a constant presence to create an ambience for the content below. We hoped that users might even be compelled to project themselves and their knowledge into these spaces as they navigated through the section.