COMD2451 Web Design 1 | Section D-048

Thursdays 2:30PM – 5:50PM, Pearl 124

Instructor: Jake Wright 

 

Course Description

As online media dominates global communications, strong web design skills are valuable assets for any communications designer. This class establishes a solid foundation in essential web design techniques, covering the Document Object Model, contemporary web standards (HTML5 and CSS3), coding workflow, and site management/administration. Over the course of the semester, students will use new techniques to improve and add features to a series of iterative projects, culminating with a personal portfolio website.

1 cl hr, 3 lab hrs, 3 cr

 

Prerequisites

COMD 2300

 

Course Objectives

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES

ASSESSMENT

For the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
Evaluation methods and criteria:

Design the branding and style of a web site, with a consistent look-and-feel throughout.

Students will demonstrate competency by using graphics software to design multiple design options.

Introduction to semantic HTML to create static web sites. Learn how CSS is used to properly format text on a page.

Students will demonstrate competency by cleaning up code by hand, and layout of type using CSS.

Use graphics in appropriate file formats to create a unique and compelling website.

Students will demonstrate competency by slicing up a design file into appropriate optimized file formats and combine with CSS for a seamless design.

Learn about how web sites influence and are influenced by the Internet, the use of hypertext, and writing for organic traffic.

Students will display competency through implementation of a live web site they design, host and manage.

Appropriate use of document elements, and introduction of forms for user feedback.

Students will display competency through implementation of a dynamic form element

 

General education outcome covered:

How that outcome is assessed:

Writing

The student will demonstrate the ability to write clearly articulated thoughts in a professional, informed manner.

Evaluate how well students absorbed and consequently applied the learning though graded written portions of projects.

Information Literacy

The student will demonstrate the ability to find proper resources.

Assess through class discussion and written tests if students have developed the ability to find information through proper resources.

Oral Communication

Speaking: The student will demonstrate the ability to articulate himself using relevant industry-specific language.

Evaluate through class discussion and /or written tests if students use appropriate nomenclature to defend creative, critical, and technical decisions in project concepts and development.

 

Teaching/Learning Method

  • Lectures and readings
  • Demonstration
  • Project based labs
  • Research assignments
  • Blackboard

 

Required Text

None

 

Attendance (College) and Lateness (Department) Policies:

Attendance is taken and is important to success in this class. Two late arrivals (20 min. or more) are equivalent to an unexcused absence. You get two “free” unexcused absences for the semester; additional absences will significantly lower your participation/preparation/attendance grade.

 

Academic Integrity Standards

Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting, and citing sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and at New York City College of Technology and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion.

 

Grading

15%       Site 1: Hello World – Single-page site with media and external links

25%       Site 2: Digital History – multi-page bio of figure from digital/computing history

35%       Site 3: Personal Portfolio – multi-page portfolio with plug-ins and interactive elements

25%       PPA (participation/preparation/attendance)

Unexcused late work is accepted with a 15% grade penalty.

 

Recommended Resources:

W3 HTML Reference: http://www.w3schools.com/html/default.asp

W3 CSS Reference: http://www.w3schools.com/css/default.asp

LinkedIn Learning (video tutorials, free with NYC/BK library card): http://www.linkedin.com/learning

 

Materials:

Portable USB Storage (external hard drive or quality flash drive)

Brackets software (Mac or PC; free download at http://brackets.io)

FTP software (cyberduck and filezilla are great free options)

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