ADV4764 Design for Mobile Devices
Course Description
Mobile devices are quickly emerging platform that has unique design challenges. User interface elements must be concise, light, functional and adaptive to the capabilities of the device. This course will examine changing standards, and emerging best practices. Emphasis will be on CSS2, CSS3, XHTML, SmartPhones and tablets.
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 After two absences, a student may be withdrawn because of unsatisfactory attendance (code WU).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absence), a student may be asked to withdraw from the class (code W before the College drop deadline, 4/9/08) or may be withdrawn from the class (code WU).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.
Grading
90% = Course projects/assignments
Major project 40%
Homework 30%
Quiz 20%
10% = Class preparation/participation/attendance
CP/P/A 10%
Recommended text:
Programming the Mobile Web
ByMaximiliano Firtman, Publisher:O’Reilly Media, Released: July 2010
Building iPhone Apps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
ByJonathan Stark, Publisher:O’Reilly Media, Released: January 2010
Other Resources: Kionic.com, godaddy.com, www.w3.org, Lynda.com.
Class Outline:
Class 1: course description; syllabus overview; Video presentation by Jonathan Stark.
Homework: Conceptualize the project site. Write up a small description (1 week). Choose a mobile device to research and present specifications (2 weeks). Device must be able to present web content.
Class 2: Understanding how mobile devices and websites differ from desktop platform. Technical information, stats. The browsing experience.
Homework: Prepare to present research on a mobile device.
Class 3: Presentation of student mobile device research for grade. Website architecture: desktop vs mobile device.
Homework: Site map, wireframes, and designs (1 week). Select a website to review usability, navigation, and presentation comparing desktop vs. mobile version (2 weeks).
Class 4: Setting up a development environment. Reviewing markup and standards for mobile.
Homework: Complete review of website for presentation and grade. Begin design and content development for major project site.
Class 5: Student presentation of website comparison. Coding markup
Homework: Complete designs of homepage and template page for major project. Must include a desktop version and mobile version. Prepare to present in class.
Class 6: Studio class. Attendance is mandatory. Individual review of major project.
Homework: Continue development on major website.
Class 7: Present designs for major project in class. CSS for Mobile browsers.
Homework: Finalize designs. Build homepage and templated page(s) for desktop version.
Class 8: CSS for mobile browsers continued. Review of layout and navigation best practices.
Homework: Create mobile homepage using CSS for mobile browsers.
Class 9: HTML 5 and mobile rich internet applications.
Homework: Integrate HTML and mobile rich internet applications
Class 10: Introduction to Javascript for mobile browsers.
Homework: Complete exercises in mobile-friendly Javascript.
Class 11: Quiz. Server-Side Browser Detection and Content Delivery.
Homework: Integrate server-side browser detection. Complete site for student show.
Class 12: Geolocation and maps
Homework: Complete exercises.
Class 13: SEO, mobile web stats, advertising.
Homework: Complete exercises, make efforts to drive mobile web traffic.
Class 14: Studio class. Attendance is mandatory.
Homework: Prepare for presentation of final website.
Class 15: Class Critique of students’ final project