COMD 3551 Web Design II | ADVANCED HTML & CSS
| Day & Time: | Thursday, 6:00PM – 9:20PM |
| Instructor: | Jerron Smith |
| Email: | thepixelsmith@gmail.com |
| Website: | https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/smithcomd3551sp2015 |
Course Description
Advanced web design is a continuation of ADV2450 Web I, a prerequisite of this course.
Students will study, in further detail, HTML and CSS to ensure that they have a solid foundation. It is assumed that students have a solid grasp of Photoshop and Illustrator, and understand the proper web design workflow.
The course is focused on completing a web site, designing and building it, as well as writing all the content for the site. A portfolio site is not appropriate for the final project, and will not be acce ptable.
Search Engine Optimization, Analytics, and web marketing strategies will be reviewed, and implemented.
Attendance (College) and Lateness (Department) Policies:
A class roster roll will be taken at the beginning of each class. Only two absences may be allowed. After two absences, a student may be withdrawn because of unsatisfactory attendance (code WU). Students arriving after the roll is taken will be marked “late.” Students may be notified at the earliest opportunity in class after they have been absent or late. After being absent two times or equivalent (2 lateness = 1 absence), a student may be asked to withdraw from the class (code W before the College drop deadline) or may be withdrawn from the class (code WU).
Academic Integrity Standards
You are responsible for reading, understanding and abiding by the NYC College of Technology Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities,” section “Academic Integrity Standards.” Academic dishonesty of any type, including cheating and plagiarism is unacceptable. “Cheating” is misrepresenting another student’s efforts/work as your own. “Plagiarism” is the representation of another person’s work, words or concepts as your own.
Research
A large emphasis will be placed on awareness of the design world by observing the state of design in our community: books, publications, web sources, museums and graphic art organizations. Students are expected to gather reference materials for all their projects and are encouraged to use the college’s library resources. http://library.citytech.cuny.edu
Instructor’s Recommendations
Come to class on time: Students arriving more than 15 minutes late may be marked absent.
Attend all classes: Each week we will build on the work learned the week before. If you must miss a class, please let me know ahead of time. It is your responsibility to obtain any missed material from your fellow classmates, and to turn assignments in on time even if you are absent. Students missing more than two classes risk failing the course.
Turn in assignments on time: Homework turned in late will lose 10 points for every day that it is late. Work turned in more than two weeks from the due date will not be accepted. Project 1 and Project 2 may not be turned in late. Missing projects may result in a failing grade for the project.
Ask Questions: This is a technical class, and we will be covering a lot of information in a short time. If you are confused, lost, need clarification, etc, please don’t hesitate to ask questions in class. Chances are your fellow students will benefit from the answers AND this will add to your class participation grade! I am also available between classes via email.
Grading formula
| Grade   | Numerical | Meaning of Grade |
| A (Excellent) | 4.0 | Represents exemplary work. Work consistently exceeds expectations of professional craft and quality. |
| B+ | 3.5 | |
| B (Good) | 3.0 | Work meets basic expectations of professional craft and quality. |
| C+ | 2.5 | |
| C (Satisfactory) | 2.0 | Work does not meet professional expectations of craft and quality. |
| D (Unsatisfactory) | 1.0 |
Grading Criteria
The final grade for this course will be determined by the grades each student earns on the following projects and assignments. The grading is done using a numerical point system with each gradable assignment worth a certain maximum number of points. The maximum numerical value that is possible exceeds 100, allowing a student to make up for a weak showing in one area with a stronger final project.
| Project/Assignment | Maximum Value |
| Project: News Article Layout | 10 pts. |
| Main Quiz | 10 pts. |
| Midterm Exam | 15 pts. |
| Main Project-Web Site Design & Creation | 30 pts |
| Final Exam | 20 pts |
| Homework | 10 pts. |
| Preparation, Attendance & Participation | 10 pts. |
| Total: | 105 pts |
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The numerical grades are then converted to alphabetical grades based on the following conversion chart:
| Range in % | Letter Grade | Range in % | Letter Grade |
| 95-100 | A | 72-77 | C |
| 90-94 | A- | 70-71 | C- |
| 88-89 | B+ | 68-69 | D+ |
| 82-87 | B | 62-67 | D |
| 80-81 | B- | 60-61 | D- |
| 78-79 | C+ | 0-59 | F |
Recommended Texts:
Styling With CSS
Charles Wyke-Smith
New Riders ISBN-10:0-321-52556-6
HTML & CSS: Design and Build Web Sites
Jon Duckett
Publisher: Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated ISBN-13: 9781118008188
CSS Mastery, Advanced Web Standards
Andy Budd
Friends of ED ISBN-10: 1-59059-614-5
Topical Outline
| Class 1: Course Description – concept and design. Homework: Conceptualize the project site. Write up a small description & choose an appropriate domain name. Offer 3 viable options. Research similar sites. |
| Class 2: Class critique of domain names and concepts for final project. Research, content development and keywords determination. Begin design process. Homework: Create 3 alternate logos and 3 interface designs for the project web site. Be prepared to present the designs and have questions looking for feedback |
| Class 3: Class critiques of web site designs. Create site architecture. Begin to build the web site. Homework: Write list of keywords/keyword phrases appropriate for each page on the site. Site map, wireframes, finalized design. Submit for grade. |
| Class 4: Page Organization with HTML Understanding how HTML  elements are used to Organize a page – Understanding Layout Types: Fixed, liquid, layouts. Homework: Build 3 different wireframe layouts of  your first page. Create and upload a custom “ under construction”  page. |
| Class 5: Understanding the Box Model Learning in detail how to position elements on a page. Homework: Continue 2-week assignment. Be prepared to present design in class. |
| Class 6: Mastering CSS Selectors & Pseudo selectors Understanding how web pages are styled – How to style fonts and text. Homework: 2-week assignment: design and layout of article |
| Class 7: Mastering CSS Selectors & Pseudo selectors Homework: Continue Article layout assignment |
| Class 8: CSS in depth. How the cascade works. Using selectors, styling tags, selectors, classes and IDs. Homework: Complete exercises in CSS. |
| Class 9: Understanding CSS Inheritance & Specificity |
| Class 10: Â Typography on the Web Homework: Study for Quiz – Integrate keywords in copy for all pages on site. |
| Class 11: Quiz | Understanding Web Analytics Homework: Implement analytics into final project site. |
| Class 12: Understanding the place of Tables in Modern Web Design |
| Class 13: Studio. Attendance is required. Working session | Individual instructor-student review of project. Answering technical questions. |
| Class 14: Working with Forms | Creating Forms and implementing form validation scripts Homework: Complete form assignment. Complete tables assignment. |
| Class 15: Class Critique of students’ final project |
