Web Design - Class Outline

A. Team Assignments & Site Project Selection

B. Understanding the Web Design Process

• What is Web Design? Information vs. Interface Design
• What are the Main Steps of the Web Design Process?

C. Addressing User Concerns

• Understanding User Preferences & Needs
• Identifying & Selecting Appropriate Content & Features for the Site

D. Exercise #1: Needs Assessment & Audience Identification

E. Exercise #2: Articulating Goals & Forming the Project Team

F. Exercise #3: Content Evaluation & Selection

G. Interface Design Basics

• Getting Started
• Site Architecture and Navigation
• Dos and Don'ts for Good Web Interface Design
• Defining the Dimensions of a Web Page
• Working with Long Documents
• Organizing your Files

H. Exercise #4: Preliminary Site Architecture & Navigation

Day 2

I. Review of Day 1

J. Determining Page Layouts & HTML Requirements

• Typical Page Layouts: When to Use Which
• Setting Appropriate Page Widths
• Home Page Design: Examples of Different Approaches
• Identifying Design Limitations of HTML & Browser Compatibility Issues

K. A Web Graphics Primer

• GIF vs. JPEG
• Graphics File optimization
• The Web Safe Palette
• Coming Down the Pike: Scalable Vector Graphics

L. Exercise #5: Developing the Design Specification Document

M. Demo of Photoshop for Prototyping

N. Exercise #6: Web Site Prototyping: Creating the Look & Feel

O. Students Present Prototypes