How the web design site project will be graded

Criteria 0-5 point range 6-15 point range 16-20 point range
1. Web site basics:
Are the basic web site elements and the necessary page content present, as prescribed by the client profile or creative brief? Is the site live on the web, with all links working? Are all documents properly identified with different <title> tags? (Avoid this.) Are the web pages and style sheet in valid format? Have you used Dreamweaver's built-in spelling checking for basic proofreading?
Attempted to meet basic site requirements, but not successful.
Partial web requirements met: some required content is present; some pages may function locally but not all files are live on the web.
All basic requirements are met: site has a minimum of five pages; navigation to all pages is possible from every page; images display correctly; site is online and appears without any errors. The web files are in valid XHTML and CSS format.

2. Page layout and use of images:
Did the web designer make good choices for fixed, fluid, or hybrid page layouts? Are the pages constructed with appropriate combinations of tables and divs? Does the page layout makes good use of screen "real estate" by allowing for white space while keeping essential content in a concentrated area on the upper part of the page?

Are image preparation skills demonstrated? Are alt attributes present on images?
Attempted use of images, but broken link or missing CSS file. Content is formatted only with simple HTML tags, such as <p>, <br>, and <hr>.		  
A design grid has been applied to the page layouts. Items have been grouped in a rational and functional manner. Images are properly prepared (compression, file format, file size). The full potential of images has been explored. All images are properly identified with "alt" attributes for accessibility.
3. Design principles:
Are design principles from this class achieved? Does the home page have a focal point? Is there a visual flow to the page design, while maintaining coherence among the page elements? Has contrast in all its forms (e.g., type, color, texture, and size) been employed? Is "white space" included as a design consideration? Has repetition been taken advantage of on pages and throughout the site?
Site design is generic and does not show attention to details of the client profile or create brief. The color palette offers insufficient contrast for the text to be easily readable.


Site approximates, but does not completely deliver, a specifc design solution.


The color palette for the page is integrated with the images used. All the images on the screen are meaningful to the content and relate to the overall design. Visuals are tightly integrated and contribute to the success of the site design.

4. CSS typography:
Is the presentation of page content easily scanned by users? Is there a hierarchy to the presentation of text content? Are long text passages easy to read? Has the designer attempted to use any creative and stylistic typographical flourishes?

Is an external CSS file linked? Are global type settings used?


Attempted used of CSS, but broken link or missing CSS file.
CSS file and syntax are correct, but typography is not improved beyond the default settings.
A single site-wide CSS file is used to deliver quality text presentation consistently throughout the site. There is an HTML-based hierarchy to the page headings and content, but CSS is used for style and presentation.

5. Overall site functionality:
How well does the site deliver a specific response to the needs identified in the client profile or creative brief?

Does the site architecture (navigation and interface) make sense and does it work? Does the site design support growth beyond 5 pages (since web sites inevitably grow over time)?

Is the site design interesting and clear? Does the site deliver unity between design and function?

Did you submit a self-evaluation in e-mail to the instructor along with your web link?
Site design is generic and does not show attention to details of the client profile or create brief. 		 
Getting around in the site is intuitive, links are obvious, and non-linear navigation is supported. Load times (and file sizes) are reasonable - no gratuitous long animations or objectionable sounds. There are no instances of "click here." A high level of functionality is delivered.
100 total possible points (20 points for each of the 5 sections above)