Web Production 1
Spring 09
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
In this course students learn how to structure and design for the Internet with HTML scripting, the use of digital layout programs, and vector and raster imaging software. Design issues relevant to electronic display and related to typography, imaging, information structure, and layout form the principle assignment topics. Technical aspects of electronic delivery and their relationship to print, as well as the social and political implications of Internet distribution, are researched and discussed.
Projects will allow students to explore the fundamental concepts of graphics for the web. Students will learn principles of layout and design, scripting text using HTML, and designing webpages using Dreamweaver. Students will learn digital imaging, structure layouts and you will gain experience with the design of interactivity for the web environment.
COURSE OVERVIEW:
This class is intended to help students develop the ability to create thoughtful and visually engaging graphic projects for the web. Graphic design is an arrangement of forms and symbols that communicates an idea. To create a well designed work not only requires technical skills, but a good idea that propels it and an aesthetic sensibility that supports it.
Feedback from your classmates is a valuable resource for the improvement of your design work. Critiques allow us to share our projects with others and express our intentions. The idea is to be able to understand the concept behind each work and to analyze the method of every student to determine whether they achieved their goals. Feedback from others gives us valuable information in order to keep making progress. For this reason, class participation is essential.
Class sessions will be divided into presentations, time for individual work, and group critiques. Presentations will address both technical and conceptual issues related to web design. Some class time will be dedicated to work on individual projects but it is the student’s responsibility to finish his/her work and present it on time. Technical classes will address: image manipulation, illustration, specific software tools, scripting HTML and organizing figures and types. Other classes will address the composition and structure of the layout, and design and communication strategies.
BOOK:
Digital Foundations: Intro to Media Design with the Adobe Creative Suite by Xtine Burrough & Michael Mandiberg. Available in print and for free online at http://digital-foundations.net/ (all chapters available on the wiki.)
BLOG: Please consult the class blog daily to check for announcements and post your work.
SOFTWARE:
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Flash
Dreamweaver
We will also discuss Content Management Systems (CMS), php based website development.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION OF THE COURSE:
6 projects will be developed during the semester. You must complete these in a professional manner and ON TIME. No late work will be accepted for a full grade evaluation. If late work is accepted, it will be dropped a full letter grade. The assignments will be related to the issues discussed in class, allowing students to explore new technologies by working on simple design assignments. It is suggested to keep a process notebook to record ideas and phases of a project: research, brainstorming, development of the idea and design.
Critiques are important both for developing your own design sensibilities and in helping to form important skills in communication and in forming developed opinions and ideas. Participation in critiques and in class discussions will be very important in forming your grade.
--Portfolio:
The final portfolio will take form as an interactive website. It must contain all work developed during the semester: all completed short projects, as well as individual research conducted during the semester. Students will present their work on the last day of class (or before) and submit final portfolios to the professor. No late submissions (after the last day of class) will be accepted.
--Materials:
Students must have a pen drive or any other digital storage device, sketchbook, and access to a digital still camera and scanner. Digital still cameras are recommended though not necessary, they will help create images for your projects.
--Attendance and grading policy:
Attendance is required. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class, and will be considered when determining the final course grade.
More than three absences will result in an 'F' (failure) for the class. No exceptions. This is standard policy across digital media courses. Class begins on time, so you must be punctual. Lateness, leaving early or leaving class unexcused for an extended period of time will also be recorded. Two of these instances will count as one absence.
You are required to make up any and all work that is missed if you are absent. Notify the professor if you will be absent or e-mail asap. As work will not be accepted late, please contact the professor to hand in work on time!
--Grade policy:
All assignments must be finished and handed in on time to receive a passing grade for this course.
--Evaluation:
20% Contributions to class and the class blog, participation and attendance
50% Projects (interest, idea, design, execution and presentation)
30% Final portfolio
Design work will be evaluated according to the interest demonstrated by the student and his/ her ability to explore forms and techniques integrating concepts discussed in class. Process is considered as important as the design work itself.
NOTE: BACK-UP your work frequently, even as you are working on the files. It is recommended to save files on the server as well as in a back-up device or disc. No excuses!
* If you have a disability which will affect your coursework, please notify the instructor within the first two weeks of class to ensure suitable arrangements and a comfortable working environment.
Contact The Office for Students with Disabilities, Hunter East 1119 Phone (212) 772-4882 or 4891, TTY: (212) 650-3230.
* This is a list of numbers which you can use if there is an emergency or crisis situation on the Hunter campus or if you need assistance at other times.
Security -B125 West - 772 - 4444; During business hours: Medical Office - Room 307 North - 772 - 4800; Office of Student Services - 1119 East - 772 - 4882 4891 (crisis counseling available), The Women's Center - 801 East - 772 - 4931.
Hunter's Reading/Writing center is where students receive tutoring in reading and writing skills, critical reading, and the writing process. Students can apply for a weekly appointment with a tutor and/or use drop-in services during scheduled hours. Students may also attend workshops offered at the Center throughout the academic year. http://rwc.hunter.cuny.edu/
* Statement on Originality of the Work
All work completed for this course must be completed by the student enrolled in the course. All work for this course must be made in this course and not fulfilling the requirements of another prior or current course unless pre-approved by the instructor. Plagiarism is a very serious academic offense which will result in penalties ranging from reduction of class grade to failure in the course. Plagiarism occurs when the ideas, images, and words, published or unpublished, of others are presented as one's own without citing the original source. Plagiarism also occurs when the papers, research, or creative works of another person are presented as one's own work.
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All students need to be on the listserv FM-L to receive important departmental notices. Just email listserv@hunter.listserv.cuny.edu and leaving the subject line blank, write SUBSCRIBE fm-l (that's an "L" not a 1) in the body of message and you're set!
SCHEDULE
******PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND I WILL INFORM YOU OF SPECIFICS AND CHANGES PERTAINING TO THIS SCHEDULE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you ever have questions or concerns about the schedule, due dates, changes or anything else please e-mail me at dcacoilo @ gmail.com
Class meetings are also subject to surprise critique sessions. Students should always be prepared to present work in progress on any class meeting day whether or not it is announced on this schedule.
Students are required to read the appropriate chapters for each class and complete all exercises in the chapters in addition to completing the project due that week.
Working with concepts
Week 1: Saturday 1/31 Introduction and discussion.
Week 2: Saturday 2/7 Discussion and work session.
*Chapters Due: Introduction, Chapters 1 and 2. Metaphor and Searching and Sampling
Week 3: Saturday 2/14 Discussion and work session.
*Chapters Due: 3 and 4. Symmetry and Grids
Week 4: Saturday 2/21 Discussion and work session. Project 1 Due – Group Critique
*Chapters Due: 5 and 6. Color and Line Art and Flat Graphics.
Week 5: Saturday 2/28 Discussion and work session. Project 2 Due – Group Critique
*Chapters Due: 7, 9 and 10. Layering and Collage.
Graphics for the Web
Week 6: Saturday 3/7 Discussion and work session. Project 3 Due – Group Critique
*Chapters Due: 12, 15 and 16. Graphics on the Web
Week 7: Saturday 3/14 Discussion and work session.
Week 8: Saturday 3/21 Discussion and work session. Project 4 Due – Group Critique
*Chapters Due: 18, 19 and 20. Flash Animation
Week 9: Saturday 3/28 Discussion and work session.
Week 10: Saturday 4/4 Discussion and work session. Project 5 Due – Group Critique
Week 11: Saturday 4/11 Spring Recess—no class ☺
Final Portfolio
Week 12: Saturday 4/18 Introduction of portfolio assignment.
*Chapter Due: 17 (review 15 +16)
Week 13: Saturday 4/25 Discussion and work session.
Week 14: Saturday 5/2 Discussion and work session.
Week 15: Saturday 5/9 Discussion and work session.
Week 16: Saturday 5/16 Final presentation of PORTFOLIOS. – Group Critique
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS:
*Weekly presentations:
RESEARCH – present the work of a graphic designer or design movement of your interest.
A new student will present each week. Every student will present once throughout the semester.
*Project 1. Create a digital poster addressing a political/social issue of your interest using images and text – use the concepts you learned in Chapters 3 and 4 to help form your project.
*Project 2. Create a digital poster addressing a political/social issue of your interest using ONLY IMAGES – use the concepts you learned in Chapters 5 and 6 to help form your project. You may choose to create an abstract or figurative work as long as it communicates a concept.
*Project 3. Create a layered collage. Use the concepts you learned in Chapters 7, 9 and 10 to help form your project.
*Project 4. Create an interactive non-linear short story. Use the concepts you learned in Chapters 12, 15 and 16 to help develop your web project.
*Project 5. Create a short animation using Flash. Use the concepts you learned in Chapters 18, 19 and 20 to help form your project.
*Portfolio site Individual student portfolio sites over several weeks of development. Details will be discussed in class when the assignment begins.
*6 total projects + presentations: Projects 1 - 5, the weekly presentation and the final portfolio and will be weighed in determining your grade — (see basic course requ
