We'll take a look at design issues specific to web-based presentations, learn web page layout, effective navigation and delve into the design process. We examine some of the how-to's, in's, out's and pitfalls of using graphics, color and fonts on web pages as well as working with tables and CSS. Some site management techniques are covered, accessibility issues and working with domains and clients discussed.
1.Focus on the customer
2.Working with your clients
3.FYI - information on domains
4.Web design patterns
5.Site development processes
Naming conventions
Purpose of a website
Planning your site
Step 2: Design Principles
Design principles
Effective Page Layouts
Layout options
Using tables, layers, frames
Working with forms
Using CSS to add interest and flexibility to a design
Step 3: Page Layout - Navigation
Principles of effective navigation
More than one way to navigate
Hierarchal organization
Task-based organization
Other ways to organize your navigation
Making navigation easy
Bread crumbs
Links, embedded and external
Error messages
Unified browsing hierarchy
High-visibility buttons
Accessibility issues
Step 4: Managing Content
Speeding up your Site
Assisting your visitors with task completion
Writing for search engines
Printable pages
Version control
Searching the site
Step 5: Color and Graphics
Using color on your pages
Flashing colors
Bright colors
Pros and cons of background colors
Contrast
Do's and don'ts of Graphics
Dimension vs weight
Wrapping text around a graphic
Using Background graphics
Banners and moving objects
Step 6: Credibility
Site branding
Privacy policies
Disclaimers
Email subscriptions
Step 7: Site Management
Site organization
Organizing associated files
Keeping prior versions
Directory structure and organization
Too many cooks in the kitchen - version control
Step 8: Final Steps and Extras
Testing your site
When you need help testing
Online research
Step 9: Prerequisites
Completion of the HTML course (H101) or XHTML course (H401) or equivalent previous html experience can attend. Material covered in the H101 class will not be covered again in this course.
Students must have webspace available to post assignments, and the ability to post their homework in that webspace.
Student browsers should be equipped with the latest Flash Player and be able to play Quicktime movies. Students will need at least two browsers, Firefox and IE are recommended as cross-browser compatibility will be stressed.
Some familiarity with CSS and graphics editing, although not required, is helpful.
Step 10: Requirements
FTP software for uploading assignments, such as WS_FTP at http://wsftp.com, an HTML editor such as Dreamweaver or a text editor such as Notepad for hand coding. Although not required, students will find it helpful to have a photo processing application such as PhotoShop or PSP and drawing program such as Illustrator.
