Endicott College Spring 1999

Web Design and Digital Communications

OUR WEBSITES!!!! Jaime Brian Michelle Clay Gino Melissa Monica

~to weekly schedule~ HTML Tags Starter Kit Cyber Law website Sound Starter Kit Lots of other helpful links

Credits: 3 Prerequisite: GD105 (Introduction to Computer Graphics) Semester/Year: Spring 1999 Meeting: Wed 1:00-3:50 Computer Lab 112 Lab Time: Fri 1:00-3:50 Computer Lab 112 Instructor: Nita Sturiale www.artscience.org/nita Office Hours: On Wednesdays by appointment Phone: (617)625-9307 Course Description This course explores the Internet and its cultural implications, the development and design of a Web site, including the graphics, text, and hypertext links, and other issues relating to effective Web site creation. Relevant historical background of the Internet will be discussed along with approaches for developing one's own artistic voice using this medium. Methods for planning a site through flow charts, storyboards, site maps, and prototypes will be covered in addition to implementing, updating and maintaining a Web site. Sound, animation, and the use of video clips will be introduced. An introduction to HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) and to Web page layout software are addressed as well. Course Objectives 1.To demonstrate an understanding of the Internet and World Wide Web, along with its historical and social implications. 2. To utilize computer technology in creating Web sites that demonstrate effective principles of design, with consideration to interface design, file size limitations, and content. 4. To demonstrate a proficiency in organizing visual structure and media space utilizing text, graphics, frames, page links, servers, email links, etc. 5. To create an effective functioning Web site that demonstrates good principles of design, navigation, etc. by devising a site plan, creating a flow chart, storyboards, script, and prototype. 6. To critique and analyze, in written and verbal form, examples of digital communication, personal work, and the work of others.

Topical Outline Your Role In This Class What are your expectations and questions? What has been your experience with the web? What are the instructors expectations and questions for you? How to search online for information you are interested in... Hardware and Software used for Internet Access PCs and Macs Differents kinds of access (modems, cable, ISDN, T1, etc.) Browsers Development, graphics, video, sound and animation software File Transfer Protocals Overview of the Internet Brief history of the Internet Social Implications Audiences (colleges, industry, government, individuals) What are its different parts, etc.? Web Page Design Purpose (commercial or non-commercial) Audience Structure, design, links, graphics, text, navigation, etc. Web Page Construction Software for Web page construction (HTML, GIFBuilder, etc.) Software for Web page design and illustration (Dreamweaver, Flash 3, etc.) Display speed issues for video, sound and animation Text vs. "type as image" on a Web page Linking Security issues Information about who and how many people are visiting your site Display of your Web page on different computers with different browsers Maintaining and updating a site Use of current browser(s) Features of various browsers (pros and cons) The Future of the Internet

Required Text Readings will be assigned throughout the course and will either be in the Elements of Web Design book, zeroxed and handed out or on reserve in the Library. You are expected to do the reading - discussions inspired by these readings enable a deeper understanding of our time together and can make the class fun, provocative and interesting because your thoughts and opinions will emerge. Do the reading. DiNucci, Darcy, and Guidice, Maria, Elements of Web Design, 2nd Edition, PeachPit Press 1998 Towers, J. Tarin, Dreamweaver 2.0 for Windows and Macintosh, Visual QuickStart Guide, PeachPit Press, 1998 Recommended Texts Castro, Elizabeth, HTML 4 for the World Wide Web, Visual QuickStart Guide, Peachpit Press, 1998 Kentie, Peter, Web Graphics Tools and Techniques, Peachpit Press, 1998 Plant, Darrel, Flash 3, Creating Web Animation, Peachpit Press, 1998 Weinman, Designing Web Graphics.2, New Riders, 1998 (her books are great!) Also see bibliography at end of syllabus

Materials List 2 Zip disks, 3 ring notebook or folders for handouts, journal for notes and ideas Teaching Strategies This course is a combination of lectures, demonstrations, presentations, student projects, readings, critiques, and papers. All assignments must be completed to pass this course.

Expectations ¥ Be present in body - come to class. ¥ Be present in mind - participate in class discussion. ¥ Read the readings and be prepared to discuss the readings at length in class. ¥ Create a project for yourself in three parts - this will be discussed in depth in class. ¥ Keep a journal of your experience in the course, this will be critical for your Self Evaluations. ¥ Completion of Mid-term Self Evaluation AND Final Self Evaluation. ¥ Completion of final project and presentation of your final work to the class. Evaluation Self Evaluations/Papers 30% Attendance and Participation 30% Presentations 20% Final Project 20%

Plagiarism Plagiarism is illegal and unacceptable. If you are unsure about what it is, please ask. Attendance Students must attend all classes. In the event of an absence, the student is responsible for obtaining the information from another classmate and completing the assignment. Absences: Arriving in class more than 15 minutes late is considered an absence. Every absence will be recorded. Excused absences must be explained in writing. Unexcused absences will effect your grade. Lateness: Arriving up to 15 minutes late after the start of the class is considered tardy. 3 times tardy = 1 unexcused absence. 3 unexcused absences = a dismissal. If a teacher is not in attendence, wait 15 minutes then sign an attendance sheet before leaving. Leaving class before it is dismissed is also counted against your grade unless you've discussed it before hand with the instructor. College Rules and Regulations All rules and regulations printed by Endicott College that apply will be followed in the administration of this class. Please note: The instructor reserves the right to make modifications in the course structure and/or content if it is deemed necessary for the benefit of the class.

SCHEDULE Feb 3 Greetings - class logistics; Computer lab logistics; Search Engines and Directories; Intro to HTML. Required: email account and a ZIP disk, Activity: Find 2 websites that you love or hate and tell us why, specifically. Reading: "Casting The Net" , Hafner and Lyon Activity: Make 3 HTML documents and link them.

Feb 10 Web Architecture; More HTML. Bring in images to scan or digital files for next week!!

Feb 17 Graphics and the web. File formats. More HTML practice.Tables. Activity: scan in at least 3 images to get started with. Activity: Write a short description of why and how you will use the internet. Include a story board, design or navigational scheme for your extended website. * Website Part 1: Make the homepage of your website with text and image(s) that demonstrates the "Look and Feel" of your project. Due Mar 3.

Feb 24 What are you questions so far. Intro to Dreamweaver. Ongoing - Bring in URLs of interesting websites. Read Lesson 30 about Domain Name trademarking @ the Cyber Law website - we'll discuss next week.

Mar 3 Website Part 1 DUE/ splash page Image maps; GIF animations; Online resources for software; Scheduled presentations; Activity: Make an image map or gif animation.

Mar 10 Mid Term Self Evaluation Due Mar 31 Scheduled presentations; * Website Part 2: add a multimedia element to your page - image map, gif animation, sound file... Due Mar 31.

Mar 17 Nita is away - use the time to research ISPs and Domain Name Servers - You've been hired to design a website as well as find the provider and maintain the site. Do this as a group - share information, present me with a report on what you found out March 31. The world of ISPs and Domain Name Servers is extremely competitive and complex. Which ones are free or cheap, which ones are good. Check out these links to get started Attendence will be taken today.... Activity: continue working on Website Part 2. Mar 24 Spring Break

Mar 31 Website Part 2 DUE Present your ISP/Domain Name Server research... Meta tags. Promoting your site. *Website Final: clean/jazz up what you've done or start anew, the final should include images and text, a multimedia element, and more thought into what it is you are trying to communicate to a world wide audience. Due April 28 Reading: Interface Culture, Johnson

Apr 7 Low resolution sound. Sound Edit 16. Check out this Sound Starter Kit. Scheduled presentations; Activity - Practice manipulating a sound file with Sound Edit 16 - or if you didn't try an image map or gif animation, do that.

Apr 14 Lab time; Where would you like more instruction? Scheduled presentations; April 21 Lab time; Where would you like more instruction? Scheduled presentations;

Apr 28 Final Project due Scheduled presentations;

May 5 LAST CLASS/Final Self Evaluation The future of the Internet - what are the possibilities? Scheduled presentations;

Selected Bibliography ¥ Brook, James and Boal Iain A., Resisting the Virtual Life, City Lights, 1995 ¥ Davis, Jack and Merritt, Susan, The Web Design Wow! Book, Peachpit Press, 1998 ¥ Johnson, Steven, Interface Culture, Harper, 1997 ¥ Kitchens, Susan, Quicktime VR Book, Peachpit Press, 1998 ¥ Kress, Gunther and van Leeuwen, Theo, Reading Images: The Grammar of Visual Design, Routledge, 1996 ¥ Mitchell, The Reconfigured Eye, MIT, 1992 ¥ Mullet, Kevin and Sano, Darrel, Designing Visual Interfaces, Communication Oriented Techniques, Sunsoft Press, A Prentice Hall Title, 1995 ¥ Pearce, Celia, The Interactive Book, Macmillan Technical Publishing, 1997 ¥ Tufte, Edward, Envisioning Information, Graphics Press, 1990 Periodicals ArtByte Wired PC Graphics E-Media Interactivity New Media

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