Advanced Web Design
Course Description
Advanced web design is a continuation of Web Page Design & Implementation, which is a prerequisite for this course.
Students will study, in further detail, XHTML and CSS to ensure that they have a solid foundation. Javascript, Flash actionscripting, AJAX and the Document Object Model will be explored. Appropriate integration of these technologies will be taught, with respect to user experience, search engine optimization, and well-structured clean code. The concept of a dynamic website will be introduced, and experimented with, using Magpie. It will be assumed that students have a solid grasp of Photoshop and Illustrator, and their proper workflow integration with Dreamweaver.
Each student will choose an affiliate program that is of interest to him/her. They will register for the affiliate program, build an appropriate web site/blog, and practice effective content development with the goal of driving traffic to their site, and making income.
Grading:
30% Attendance/Lab work
10% Participation
40% Homework Assignments
20% Final Project
Recommended text: Web Designer’s Reference, An Integrated Approach to Web Design with XHTML and CSS Author: Craig Grannell, Publisher: Friends of Ed
DOM Scripting, Web Design with Javascript and the Document Object Model. Author: Jeremy Keith. Publisher: Friends of Ed.
Class Outline
Class 1: Course description; affiliate programs; concept and design.
Homework: Choose an affiliate program and register. Choose an appropriate url and purchase. Sign up for ISP service.
Class 2: Affiliate program, url and ISP. Class critique of urls. Review of other affiliate programs. Research, content development and keywords. Begin design process. Introduction to the c-panel admin interface. Set up email accts.
Homework: Create 3 alternate designs for the affiliate web site. Be prepared to present and defend the designs.
Class 3: Class critiques of web site designs. Dreamweaver. Begin to build the web site. Marketing copywriting. Begin to do research and write copy.
Homework: Complete implementation of page designed for homework.
Class 4: SEO basics, setting up analytics, targeted landing pages.
Homework: Create site architecture, and begin to design/write copy/collect artwork for other pages on the site, using Photoshop/ Illustrator.
Class 5 XHTML/CSS.
Homework: TBD
Class 6: More XHTML/CSS. (Midterm evaluations)
Homework: TBD.
Class 7: Introduction to blogs. Wordpress, design templates, Tweaking the template. Blog best practices. RSS feeds.
Homework: : Install Wordpress, choose and implement WordPress theme. Write a post.
Class 8: (Class trip or visiting lecturer). XHTML/CSS.
Homework: Continue working on blog.
Class 9: XHTML and CSS. Working with Tables.
Homework: Design and implement a formatted table.
Class 10: Javascript. Creating Forms and implementing form validation scripts. Introduction to dynamic web sites and Magpie.
Homework: Design and implement a form (contact us page, or survey page).
Class 11: Design for mobile devices, and ADA design implementation
Homework: Design/create/optimize site for mobile devices and people with disabilities.
Class 12: Javascript and Flash actionscript.
Homework: Create an animated swf file and bring it into a page.
Class 13: Flash Continued: Interactivity, and loading swf objects. Introduction to Actionscripting. Working with audio and video in Flash.
Homework: Create a Flash object that has interactivity and function (e.g., Flash navigation system).
Class 14: Final Project development.
Class 15: Class critique of students’ final project.