Westwood GD241

Eve Fisher, Instructor, efisher@westwood.edu

GD241 Web Page Design - Syllabus

Week 1 Lecture-XHTML, Build an HTML page
Class Assignments: Pick one site from the locations listed below. Review the site in terms of design, fonts, layout, navigation and content (including text, images and animation). What do you like or dislike about the site? Be specific and use examples from the site. Write 2-3 paragraphs and be prepared to discuss with the class.
Reading Assignments:
- HTML basics and tag definitions - http://www.w3schools.com/html/DEFAULT.asp

Lecture: Information Architecture & Site Maps, Create HTML page in Dreamweaver
Reading Assignments & Summary (1 page, double spaced):

Site Critique:
- http://www.audiusa.com (automobiles)
- Sample Site Critique
Project Assignments - Gather content (text and images) for the five page personal/portfolio site.
- Pages for site - Home, About/Bio, Interests/Portfolio, Goals/Resume, Contact

Reading Assignments & Summary (1 page):
- http://www.w3schools.com/css/
- Read www.thesitewizard.com/archive/css.shtml
- Read CSS Basics and Rules
- Adobe: Chapters 3 & 4
Site Critique: http://www.apple.com (computers)

Lecture: Colors & Typography on the Web, Cooper Black movie, 2.0 Design
Reading Assignments & Summary (1 page):
- Adobe: Chapters 5 & 6
- Read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_colors
- Read Importance of color on Web sites
- Read Web Style Guide: Typography (whole section)
KGA #1:
- Site Map
- Site design mock-up created in graphic design program
- Content (images and text) for site pages
Site Critique: http://www.target.com (retail)
Group Project: TBD

Lecture: Usability & User Testing, Dreamweaver Multimedia tools
Reading Assignments & Summary (1 page):
- Read Usability 101
- Read Web Usability Checklist
- Read Web Style Guide - Usability
- Read Usability Testing Without a Budget
- Read Usability Testing: Why You Only Need to Test With 5 Users
- Chapters 7 & 8
KGA #1 :
- Create index page in Dreamweaver with roll-over navigational buttons & CSS
- Create 5-page formatted site
- Register for free hosting for your web sites (xtreemhost.com)
- Put site live (FTP files to hosting company)
- Test site on server before presenting to class
Site Critique: http://www.rustboy.com (animation)

Lecture: Navigation & Content
Reading Assignments & Summary (1 page):
- Web Style Guide: http://www.webstyleguide.com/site/index.html
- Read Seven Steps to Easier Web Navigation
- Read How to Create Web Content That Works
- Read How We Read Online
- Chapter 9
Project Assignments: Key Graded Assignment #1 Presentations
- KGA #2: Proposal for 10-page site* & site map
- Oral Presentation Grading Rubric
- Peer Feedback Rubric
- Sample Style Guide
- Written Report Rubric
- * Proposal must be approved by instructor before starting project
Site Critique: http://www.thesmokinggun.com/ (news/gossip)

Lecture: Accessibility, CSS without Dreamweaver
Class Assignment: http://www.subcide.com/tutorials/csslayout/page2.asp
Reading Assignments & Summary (1 page):
- Read What is Web Accessibility?
- Adobe: Chapter 10
Project Assignments:
- 3 mockups of site design- presented to class for feedback, 1 final design
- Content (including images)
Site Critique: http://www.lonelyplanet.com (travel)

Lecture: Project management, Dreamweaver forms - Forms Lecture
Reading Assignments & Summary (1 page):
- Read Interpreting Your Website Statistics
- Adobe: Chapter 11
Project Assignments Due:
- KGA #2: Index page with link to external CSS
- Continue working on ten-page Web site
- Site needs to have one email form on the contact page (and email link)
Site Critique: http://www.jvmediadesign.com (web design)
Group Project: None due

Lecture: Spry tools, Search Engine Optimization, Analytics
Reading Assignments & Summary (1 page):
- Read Basics of search engine optimisation.
- Read Keyword Basics Part 4: Using Keywords In Website Copywriting
- Read Writing Effective Alt Text
- Read Writing Better Page Titles
- Adobe: Chapters 12 & 13
Project Assignment: Key Graded Assignment #2
- Complete site and put site live
- Complete style guide
- Peer review critiques & test site online - Peer Feedback Rubric
- Presentation of site to class

Project Management Resources

Validation Resources