Effective: Fall 2001
 

Course Number:  110-222
 

Course Title: Design Foundations for the Web
 

15 Character Abbreviation: Design Fnd Web
25 Character Abbreviation: Design Foundation for Web
 
 

Sponsor: Denis Dale/ Sam Norgard		E-mail Address: norgard@ticon.net
Department: Art		College: Arts and Communication
Co-sponsor:		E-mail Address:
Department:		College:

Other Programs Affected: Mathematics and Computer Sciences
 

Check if course is to meet any of the following requirements:

X None __ Writing __ Computer __ Diversity __ General Ed: Area
 
 

Credit/Contact Hours: (per semester)
 

Total lab hours:	________		Total lecture hours:	48.0
Number of credits:	3.0		Total contact hours:	48.0

 

Check if course is repeatable: __X_ No ___ Yes If "Yes", answer the following questions:
 

No of times in major	________		No of credits in major	________
No of times in degree	________		No of credits in degree	________

Enter the appropriate titles if the course is required in any of the following:

Major Title(s):
Minor Title(s):
Emphasis Title(s):
 

Course justification: This course is timely and addresses web design aesthetics from a design foundation perspective for non-Art majors using professional discipline specific organizational techniques, content creation, visualization and technical web production information.
 

Relationship to program assessment objectives: To foster an appreciation of aesthetic values and their effectiveness through the use of advanced technologies. (Reference: Art Department Mission Statement).
 

Budgetary impact: College of Arts and Communication Dean anticipates supporting the initial offering: additional resources will be pursued.
 

Course description: This primarily classroom formatted course will introduce students to the fundamentals of the elements and principles of media design and how they relate to web site and page content creation. The focus throughout is on visually and aesthetically effective site design. Topics include visual organizational principles, criteria for aesthetic development, critical visual awareness, graphics utilizing digital imaging and web page design software, time based media, animation, audio and video, and the role of designer and programmer on the aesthetics and function of web communication.
 

Course requisites: Restricted to non-Art majors.
 

If dual listed, list graduate level requirements for the following:

1. Content (e.g., What are additional presentation/project requirements?)

2. Intensity (e.g., How are the processes and standards of evaluation different for graduates and undergraduates?)

3. Self-Directed (e.g., How are research expectations differ for graduates and undergraduates?)

Grading:
 

Course objectives and tentative course syllabus: The objective of the course is to introduce students to the fundamentals of the elements and principles of design, and how they affect web site and page content creation. The anticipated outcome of the course is to create more aesthetically informed web developers and administrators.
 

Tentative Syllabus:

Unit: Definition of Design

Implementation Strategies: Historical references, becoming and informed critical viewer, copyright issues.

Unit: Defining design in 2D, 3D, and 4D

Implementation Strategies: Examples in art layout, 3D imaging and audio video streaming

Unit: Elements of design: Exploration of the formal language of design with an emphasis on the elements of two-dimensional design. Instruction on the development of space in two dimensions.

Implementation Strategies: Photoshop. Limitation of delivery, mediums, pixels, vectors and their relationship to web visualization.

Unit: Isolation of the element of color: Color theory lecture.

Implementation Strategies: RGB-CMYK, acceptable standards, transparency, after image, animation, color correction techniques.

Unit: Principles of design: Introduction to the concept of the organizational principles of design. Isolation and investigation of the principle of balance; symmetry, asymmetry, radial, and crystallographic balance.

Implementation Strategies: Text, text/picture, graphic elements, incorporation of balance in design, visual presence on the web, Dream Weaver/Photoshop.

Unit: Repetition and variety. Application of the use of repetition as an isolated principle, in combination with the notion of variety, and, variation as a principle in it’s own right.

Implementation strategies: Corporate identity symbol development, unique approaches.

Unit: Emphasis, economy, contrast, proportion. Introduction of these principles in combination with a discussion of focal points, and, placement and location issues in relationship to the design plane.

Implementation Strategies: Digital photography, image manipulation, layering, masks, special effects and filters. Photoshop.

Unit: Rhythm, transition, movement and the illusion of motion

Implementation strategies: Page sequencing, ideas over time, sequence strategies, themes, animation.

Unit: Production principles

Implementation Strategies: Continued investigation in digital photography, scanning, image manipulation.

Unit: Stylistic Development: Discussions of the integration of the elements and principles of design to create a personal visual signature.

Implementation Strategies: Unique aesthetic approaches offered in different software programs, Flash, Painter, Photoshop, and Dream Weaver.

Unit: Basic Structures in design: grid, maze, use of modulars including ideas of rotation, slide, glide, flip, and overlay.

Implementation Strategies: Continuation of exploration of Dreamweaver, style sheets, layers. Unique approaches to grid and personal grid system; creation and management.

Unit: Creative thinking. Interpretation and development of the use of element/principle specific ideas in design.

Implementation Strategies: Video, audio, still animation, streaming programs, compression, jpeg, tiff, modes of delivery.

Bibliography

Conger, Sue, Richard O. Mason (1998). Planning and designing effective web sites. Course Technology.

Lauer, David A., Stephen Pentak (2000). Design Basics. Harcourt Brace.

Lie, Hakon Wium, Bert Bos (1997). Cascading style sheets: designing for the Web. Addison Wesley Longman.

Sklar, Joel (2000). Principles of web design. Course Technology.

Zelanski, Paul, Mary Pat Fisher (1989). Color. Prentice Hall.

Huber and Runstein (1997). Modern Recording Techniques 4^th Edition. Focal Press.

Arntson, Amy (1998). Graphic Design Basics 3^rd Edition. Harcourt Brace College Publishers.

Alspach, Jennifer (1998). Photoshop and Illustrator Synergy Studio Secrets. IDG Books.

Lentz Devall, Sandra, Esther Kibby (1999). Desktop Publishing Style Guide. Delmar Publishers.

Wickham, Kathleen (1998). Perspectives-Online Journalism. Coursewise Publishing, Inc.

Kaye, Barbara K, Norman J. Medoff (1999). The World Wide Web A Mass Communication Perspective. Mayfield Publishing Company.

Landa, Robin (1996). Graphic Design Solutions. Delmar Publishers.

Lester, Paul Martin (2000). Visual Communication: Images with Messages. Wadsworth.

Siegel, David (1997). Creating Killer Web Sites. Hayden Books.