How to succeed in this course
This course has two main topics: web design and multimedia design.
For each of these topics, there are technical skills, design concepts, exercises, readings, quizzes, and a project, based on the course calendar.
In class, we'll develop technical skills as we explore design concepts. It is important to realize that we may not explicitly "cover" all of the material on the course web pages during class time. It is expected that you will continue to read the course web pages on your own, matching the pace outlined on the course calendar.
Exercises are graded as 0, 1, or 2 points. You'll receive 1 point for completing the basic exercise as it was presented in class. You'll receive 2 points for continuing with the exercise beyond the basics presented in class.
Readings are the basis for class discussion and quiz material. They are available through their respective links from this web site, but they can also be obtained through Sakai, if needed.
Quizzes are "open Internet" as a takeoff from the open book concept. The ability to access info and access its validity is valuable and representative of your future work environment. Most quiz questions will require personal answers in your own words, drawing upon your analysis, synthesis, and judgment. For each quiz, there is a quiz preview page.
Projects should represent your application of the design concepts, mastery of the technical skills, and extend what you accomplished with the exercises. For each project, there is a page for "how this project will be graded". If you are not clear about the project criteria or what you will be graded on, please ask early on.
The calendar for this course gives you an overview of the overall timeline and due dates. The calendar pages shows how everything (technical skills, design concepts, exercises, readings, quizzes, projects) lines up across each class session. For best results, put the items in the column labeled "Exercises, Quizzes, Projects" on the calendar page into your personal calendar.
Resources contains bookmarks, tutorials, reference sheets, newsletters, forums, podcasts, books, contests, and job postings. You are expected to supplement this course web site with appropriate resources, based on your own individual design background and technical skills.
...and how to get the most out of this course web site.
For technical skills and design concepts:
Content in the center of the page...
Read the text, consider the images that are presented from sample sites (click to enlarge), and check out the links. You should understand this material and be ready to discuss it in class, answer questions about it on a quiz, and apply it to your project.
Left-side content...
Usually this area contains web site examples that might come up in class discussion. Be ready to talk about your impressions. What is it about the design works for you and what doesn't? What parts do you understand technically, and what parts do you need to learn? How can you relate the design concept to the technical skill on the page?
Right-side content...
If you need additional info to understand a particular concept, check the right side bar for links to more in-depth explanations and companion resources.
When you encounter pictures on a web page...
The web page images are typically thumbnail versions of larger images. In most cases, you can click on the image for a larger view. To visit the source site, click on the caption for the image (although it may have changed since the original snapshot was taken).
For exercises:
We'll do these once in class. Most importantly, understand the reasons for the exercises, as listed on the right side of the page. You are expected to continue working on each exercise between sessions. Save your work early and often. Make backup copies. Make incremental versions (such as webpage_v1.html, webpage_v2.html).
If you are one of the many people that learn software programs through exploration and experimentation, be sure to spend a generous amount of time playing with the software programs outside of class time. The limited amount of class time we have available each week will be insufficient for this kind of learning.
How to use your WordPress site
For your blog entries...
Talk about your inspiration, models, and other catalysts for your designs. Pose follow-up comments on the examples from class discussion. Make connections with your other courses, your work, breaking news items, and web sites that your encounter. Focus your aspirations and your goals.
For other's blog entries...
Check out each other's work. Add comments with your opinion, insight, and questions. Inquire about the blog poster's techniques.
Experiment with the design options and administrative controls of your WordPress site. This will also be the basis of in-class exercises.
Ask questions. Make suggestions.
Is a particular topic unclear? Have a suggestion for a web site model? Have ideas on outside speakers or useful resources? There's a suggestion box at the bottom of the home page and on each section's question page. Just like the one below. Please use it (anonymously if you want).
