This course prepares students for the role of a professional web designer.
It focuses on both essential Design and Technical skills necessary to complete a successful web site. Students are expected to muster the foundations of Interface Design, Usability principles, Web Typography and Information Architecture, as well as become technically proficient with writing clean and functional XHTML, CSS and jQuery code. Through hands-on projects, exercises and lectures students learn how to follow the typical web design process from the initial research, to design, development, troubleshooting and final implementation. Additionally, this course examines the place of technology and design within the context of contemporary cultural, social and media landscape. For this purpose the course hosts a guest speaker from a non-web design filed, and embarks on a filed trip to the local design agency (TBA).
Objectives
Complete 3 portfolio-ready (and ideally competition-ready) web sites showing variety in approach and execution.
Learn the standard process of standard and mobile web site design and development from concept to completion.
Gain proficiency with essential Adobe Creative Suite software and HTML5 / CSS3 / jQuery coding.
Be able to design and develop responsive web sites for a variety of stationary and mobile platforms.
Become comfortable navigating available Design+Technology resources for further inquiry and self-learning.
Establish your own identity as a web and interactive designer within the demands of a contemporary marketplace.
Expand the definition of Design+Technology beyond applicable Web Design and into Interdisciplinary applications.
Design is not the narrow application of formal skills; it is a way of thinking.
Chris Pullman
Projects
Syllabus Website
(single page)
Client: AU Design Program. Goals: Present text-heavy content in easy-to-digest and visually exciting way that can attract AU design students.
Event Website
(enriched with dynamic jQuery and CSS3 elements)
Client: Any event of your choosing. Goals: Increase the attendance and related fund-raising by promoting the event and parent organization. Present even schedule very clearly.
Product/Service Website
(fully responsive)
Client: Local retailer or service provider. Goals: Analyze your chosen client's business goals and define strategy for this responsive site. Create an immersive experience that is easily available across platforms.
Supplies
Required
“Stylin’ with CSS: A Designer’s Guide (3rd Edition)” by Charles Wyke-Smith, ISBN: 978-0321858474, available on Amazon (due week 2).
“Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability (Second Edition)” by Krug, ISBN: 978-0321344755, available on Amazon (due week 4).
Other required reading assignments will be given over the course of the semester and will available on Blackboard. Should any other books or materials become necessary along the way one weeks’ notice will be given to allow students time to acquire the materials.
Personal domain name (I will suggest providers in class, plan on spending ± $14).
Reliable flash drive (minimum 2GB). Please do not bring in external drives unless you have tested them in our labs before. They tend to have permission and other issues.
Backup drive and/or server space (design server, BB, external disks - the more the merrier).
Unlined sketchbook and a pencil/pen. You must make sketches before starting your digital designs.
CD-RW and/or CD-R. Make sure you always have at least two blank disks when coming to class.
Access to necessary programs and internet outside of class (Adobe suite).
Suggested
“The Designer’s Web Handbook: What You Need to Know to Create for the Web” by Patrick McNeil, ISBN: 978-1440314414, available on Amazon.
“Seductive Interaction Design: Creating Playful, Fun, and Effective User Experiences” by Stephen P. Anderson, ISBN: 978-0321725523, available on Amazon.
“CSS for Print Designers” by J. D. Graffam, ISBN: 978-0321765888, available on Amazon.
“HTML and CSS: Design and Build Websites” by Jon Duckett, ISBN: 978-1118008188, available on Amazon.
“jQuery for Designers: Beginner’s Guide” by Natalie MacLees, ISBN: 978-1849516709, available on Amazon.
Resources
Blackboard Resources, Readings and Tutorials section. Check back often, as the resources are constantly updated.
Applied Projects are weighted heavily, and must show all the intermediate steps of the design/development process. Completion of all required projects is mandatory to pass the course. The instructor will lower the final project grade one full letter value for any intermediate deadline missed (comps, research, etc). Always come to class with projects looking better than they looked last time. A project is never finished and can always be improved. Any project not seen in progress will receive an “F”, even if the final is delivered on time.
Deadlines
No late work of any kind is accepted without a valid, documented excuse. If you miss or turn late any of the assignments, exercises, quizzes, work-in-progress updates or projects you automatically receive an “F” for that particular assignment. This course is structured so that all work can be completed during a normal academic session. The instructor will not issue an incomplete grade without a serious, documented excuse.
Grade Makeup
Applied Projects (3 total): 60%
Quizzes: 15%
Participation, attendance, personal progress: 10%
There will be 0% tolerance towards “lost files”. Set up a reliable workflow for backing up your work.
Backup your work!
Grade Explanation
“Wow!”
A 100-90
Means project is ready for the AU Design Expo. Work represents a finished portfolio piece. “A” grade indicates work which is clearly superior. It does not mean “satisfactory” or “adequate.” Projects and exercises must show clear conceptual thinking and successful use of design principles, craft (as it applies digitally) and technique.
“Good!”
B 89-80
The work is almost portfolio-ready. This grade implies work that is more than merely satisfactory. Such work will reflect an above average understanding (and communication) of the material. Projects and exercises will contain only minor errors in craft and technique.
“Just OK.”
C 79-70
Satisfies minimum requirements. This grade indicates work which is competent, adequate, and satisfactory in presentation. Such work reflects effective understanding of the majority of the material covered. Projects and exercises will not contain excessive errors in craft and technique.
“Bad.”
D 69-60
This grade is awarded to work which is unsatisfactory, not competent, or inadequate in terms of presentation or in terms of fulfilling the assignment. Projects and exercises which contain many serious errors in craft and technique will normally be awarded this grade.
“…”
F below 59
This grade is assigned for failure to complete an assignment in both a timely and competent manner.
Policies
Attendance
Only one unexcused absence is allowed. Tardiness that exceeds 1/2 hour will be counted as one absence. For any additional absence a student must provide prompt and valid documentation. Attendance is required during the scheduled class periods. Punctual arrival, effective use of the full class period, and participation in assigned work is required. Unjustified or undocumented absences will lower the final grade for the course at a rate of 5 points in a scale of 100, or equivalently, one letter grade degrees per absence (I.e. from A to A- and so on). Excessive tardiness, early departures, excessive break time, and lack of participation in assigned class activities will count as equivalent to an absence (2=1 absence).
Classroom
Do not surf internet for personal purposes during the class. I occasionally ask you to put your machine to sleep during lectures or demos. The monitor MUST be off during that time. Turn off your cell phone in class. Do not browse the web on your phone. No Food. Food consumption is only allowed during the class breaks, and not in the classroom.
Re-Submissions
Students are allowed to re-submit PSD designs and HTML development for projects 1 and 2 at the end of the semester. To be considered the work must show significant improvements. No process files, wireframes, flowcharts or style guides may be resubmitted for a better grade. Simple act of re-submission will not earn you a better grade, but better work will.
Integrity
Standards of academic conduct are set forth in the University’s Academic Integrity Code. By registering, you have acknowledged your awareness of the Academic Integrity Code, and you are obliged to become familiar with your rights and responsibilities as defined by the Code. Violations of the Academic Integrity Code will not be treated lightly, and disciplinary actions will be taken should such violations occur. Please see me if your have any questions about the academic violations described in the Code in general or as they relate to particular requirements for this course.
How to Do Well in This Course
Be present and come ready
Come to every class, be here on time, and stay for the whole class. Bring your work ready to be shared. The worst waste of time is coming to the crit and showing something that you put together 5 minutes before.
Pay attention
When I ask you to execute an exercise, a project or an assignment I post detailed instructions on how I want it to be done, named and submitted. It is your responsibility to make sure you follow these precisely. Do not let your grade slip away just because you forgot to name files properly or forgot to submit it on Blackboard.
Be excited about the work you are doing
In this class you have great flexibility with the topics on which to work. I can’t stress enough the importance of focusing on a subject you really care or want to learn about. Be curious about the world outside of Design field as well as in.
Always try your very best
It may be hard to always give it your 100% effort, but if you do you will never regret a missed opportunity.
Take responsibility
Like Morpheus (Matrix) said, “I’m trying to free your mind, Neo. But I can only show you the door. You’re the one that has to walk through it.”You must put in the hard work, be proactive and follow up with your research and ask questions. Do not wait for me to take full direction of your project. You are the one who has to do that. It is my responsibility to give you the skills and direction, it’s yours to figure out your design and make it better.
Document feedback
Don’t get a great suggestion on your design and forget all about it. It is your responsibility to keep a track of all details related to your work progress. So write it down, take voice memos, do whatever you need and then make a checklist. Do not expect the instructor to always keep a checklist for you.
Don’t ignore feedback
Do not come to each class without implementing suggestions or resolving comments made in critiques. Getting the same exact comments/suggestions week after week is not doing you any good. Make evident attempts to resolve your design issues. Even if you don’t succeed, don’t pretend you don’t know they exist.
Don’t be a weekend warrior
Allocate ample time to work on your projects throughout the week, not just the day before its due. No matter how able and talented you are, you need time to develop and progress. There is a huge difference between spending 12 hours on project from Monday to Friday, or the same amount of time from Saturday to Sunday.
Go beyond project requirements
Simple as that - only projects that go beyond requirements and show outstanding results will get an “A”.
Leave complaints and negative attitude at the door
We all get frustrated at times, but dwelling won’t help you improve. I’ll be happy to answer as many questions as it takes to get you in a better situation, but I will not welcome excuses. Being positive and having a professional demeanor will get you far in this class and in the “real world”.
