Course Overview
Web Design & Media is a year-long course with the goal of creating standards-compliant web sites. Coursework will adhere to a philosophy that divides contemporary web site design into three distinct categories: Content, Layout, and Behavior. Content consists of W3C validated (x)HTML Transitional files employing a clear, hierarchal structure. Layout, font, and color choices are the exclusive realm of validated CSS files. Behavior is handled with external JavaScript (ECMAScript) files:
Students begin writing markup and CSS by hand with Notepad. Once they reach a sufficient level of expertise, they advance to Adobe Dreamweaver, the industry standard web-authoring tool. Although the focus will be on designing content for desktop delivery, students will explore handset (up to 4.5 inch) and tablet (7 to 10 inch) devices. As students gain skills and confidence, they will increasingly work on group projects that challenge them to function in a team environment.
By the end of the course, students will create a professional-quality web portfolio with links to: A band “fan site”, a gallery of css-styled JPEG files created with Photoshop, a team project for a portion of a school web site, a glossary of HTML and CSS terms, a JavaScript image transition project, an “About” page, and an array of in-class work.
Texts:
Keith, J., DOM Scripting: Web Design with JavaScript and the Document Object Model, Apress
Negrino,T., Dreamweaver CS5 for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide, Peachpit Press
Reding, E., Adobe Photoshop CS2 Revealed: Deluxe Education Edition, Thompson Course Technlogy
Weinmann,E., Photoshop CS5 for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide, Peachpit Press
Zeldman, J., Designing with Web Standards: Third Edition, New Riders
Software:
Adobe Design Premium CS4 (Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Photoshop, Flash, Apple Safari for PC, Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer)
Microsoft Windows Vista
Notepad
Microsoft Windows Vista
Notepad
