In this course, students will learn the basics of designing and developing a web site. We'll take a look at design issues specific to web-based presentations, learn web page layout, effective navigation and delve into the design process. We examine some of the how-to's, in's, out's and pitfalls of using graphics, color and fonts on web pages as well as working with tables, rollovers and CSS. Some site management techniques are discussed and suggestions given for recognizing good and bad design concepts. The course also discusses accessibility issues and working with hosts, domains and clients.
The E-classes News
My New Summer Class Of The Introduction to Web Design
Outline
Week 1:
Web Pages and Site Development
Overview of the Web
Browser basics
Server vs. PC
Domains
Defined and explained
Obtaining a domain
Costs
Hosting options
What questions to ask of a host
Purpose of a website
Planning your site: directory structure and organization
Week 2:
Design Principles and Processes
Keeping your audience in mind
Design principles
Web vs. print design
Working with clients
Handling client suggestions that may be impractical
Avoiding design idea conflicts
What works and what doesn't: good and bad design concepts and how to
recognize them
Week 3:
Page Layout
Basic page structure
Principles of effective navigation
Avoiding spaghetti navigation
repetition - consistent navigation
reverse navigation - keeping your visitor oriented
Accessibility issues
Week 4:
Layout Options and Feedback
Using tables, layers, frames
Working with forms
Adding contact information: tricks to help foil spammers (Or at
least slow them down!)
Using CSS to add interest and flexibility to a design
Week 5:
Color and Graphics
Using color on your pages: flashing colors, bright colors.
Pros and cons of background colors
Contrast
Do's and don'ts of Graphics
Dimension vs weight
Wrapping text around a graphic
Using Background graphics
Banners and moving objects
Week 6:
Content
Effective use of fonts on a web page
Content
Controlling page length
Amount of verbiage
Type of content - what's important and what's not
Creating a printable version of your page
Week 7:
Site Management
Site organization
Organizing associated files
Keeping prior versions
Naming conventions
Too many cooks in the kitchen - version control
Week 8 -
Final Thoughts and Extra Goodies
Testing your site
Rollovers and image swapping
Liquid layout
Slicing (overview)
Prerequisites
Completion of the Introductory HTML course (H101) or equivalent
previous html experience can attend. Material covered in the H101
class will not be covered again in this course.
Students must have webspace available to post assignments, and the
ability to post their homework in that webspace.
Student browsers should be equipped with the latest Flash Player and
be able to play Quicktime movies. Students will need at least two
browsers, Firefox and IE are recommended as cross-browser
compatibility will be stressed.
Some familiarity with CSS and graphics editing, although not
required, is helpful.
Requirements
FTP software for uploading assignments, such as WS_FTP at
http://wsftp.com, an HTML editor such as Dreamweaver or a text
editor such as Notepad for hand coding. Although not required,
students will find it helpful to have a photo processing application
such as PhotoShop or PSP and drawing program such as Illustrator.
