CIS 178W Fundamentals of Web Design

Lecture Hours: 4
Credits: 4

Covers fundamentals of responsive web design. Focuses on the overall production processes surrounding web site design. Emphasizes design elements involving layout, navigation, interactivity, usability, and search engine optimization.

Prerequisite: CIS 101 or CIS 120, either with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Student Learning Outcomes:

Describe web site architecture, work flow, and production processes.
List and apply principles of graphic and content creation for online media.
Perform fundamental online graphic design principles including appropriate interactivity, content sensitive navigation schemes, and user interface criteria.
Identify and use task-appropriate software tools.
Propose distinctive attributes of the web as a unique medium.
Explain basic Internet and World Wide Web (WWW) terminology.
Maintain and update web site accessibility.
Analyze and perform web site implementation and hosting.

Content Outline

Foundations of Web Site Creation
- Course Overview
- Introduction to the Internet
- Internet connectivity
- Browsers
- Browser functions
- Other Internet applications
Web Page Elements
- Overview
- HTML basics
- Color formats
- Image formats
- Multimedia formats
- Interactive elements
Production Tools
- HTML and interactive formats
- HTML and interactive editors
- Graphics formats
- Graphics applications
- Multimedia formats
- Multimedia applications
Pre-Production Process
- Project definition
- Functional requirements
- Content and media assets
- Production milestones
Layout and Design
- The web as a medium
- Basic design principles
- Cascading style sheets
- Separation of content and format
- Other design issues
User Interface Design
- Definition
- Site identity design
- Usability
- Navigation
- Effective navigation
Accessibility Considerations
- Disability accessibility guidelines
- Localization
Interactivity
- Appropriate interactivity
- Interactive elements
- Interactive multimedia
- Advertisement
- Online forms
Testing and Optimization
- Site review
- Error checking
- Speed optimization
- Site management
- Site maintenance
- Usability testing
Implementation and Hosting
- Client sign-off
- Legal review
- ISP requirements
- Domain name registration
- File publishing to the web
- Site advertising
Course Project