This course will cover basic concepts and techniques of Web design with a focus on the visual organization of content and interface design.
The Web is the product of scientists and engineers whose goals were to establish a device independent method of transferring information. They created HyperText Markup Language (HTML) - the code structure underneath the Web pages. It is a simple way to organize content in a logical sequence and to create meaning from content.
In addition, a presentation layer, known as Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), has become the defacto way to define the visual look of the website. Finally, JavaScript is the standard for controlling interactive behavior; although CSS3 has given designers simple alternatives to give user feedback and control behavior.
In order to concentrate in the visual aspects of Web design, this course will introduce software tools developed to help designers write HTML code and incorporate multimedia elements into their Web sites.
You should keep in mind that learning the software is only a small part of the work. Successful design is a matter of communicating your thoughts clearly in any media.
You will work with basic HTML and CSS structures in text editors and in Adobe CC will be used to create interface elements and develop designs. "Adobe Dreamweaver" will be the visual HTML editor to create Web pages and navigation in the Web sites. Photoshop will be utilized as a visual prototyping tool. The animation and sound capabilities of Flash will be experienced by the students in the development multimedia elements. This course presupposes a proficiency with the Mac OS X environment, with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
Adobe CC can be licensed by students for $19.95 a month. An amazing deal.
I recommend the acquisition of a removable storage device such as a USB Flash drive to store your projects. We have use of the server, but you'll be required to backup your work. In most cases, you'll probably do some work from home as well. You will need to create all the assets for your projects. It will be very useful to have access to a digital SLR camera and/or a video camera to collect your images.
This course will offer training in multiple software packages in only 14 classes and a total of five projects will required to pass the course. These projects demand a lot of work and time. The material in this course is technical and specific. At least four hours a week of independent work in the lab or at home is required. Attendance is essential and work on the tutorial will be necessary to successfully finish all projects. Prior notification and arrangements will be required in the case of late work and it may be graded down up to one letter grade.
Note: All students will be graded on the work that they complete during the semester. No incomplete grades will be offered. Projects submitted still in progress will be graded accordingly.