This graduate-level course will provide an overview of the practical and theoretical aspects of designing effective online communication and websites. Specifically, our work will focus on process and planning, content development, site structure, navigation, visual design, interface design, usability, and accessibility. The course will cover practical skills with various software tools and scripting languages, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Assignments will primarily focus on analyzing and developing online content using a variety of tools and development methods. The course will also address theoretical issues in online publishing, content management, and technology.
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Explain how issues of content management affect the development of online publications.
- Describe tasks that comprise the iterative process of developing websites.
- Apply principles of site structure and design to developing websites.
- Identify approaches and testing methods for website user experience.
This course focuses on learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to design usable websites, responsive ebooks, and mobile apps. It will study content creation and design, human-computer interaction, and user experience (UX) research. Students will use low-fidelity prototypes, linked pages, and content management systems to design websites, ebooks, and/or apps. Students will also learn user-centered design principles and best practices for usability, inclusivity, and accessibility.
This course teaches students to:
- analyze audiences when designing online content;
- create usable navigation and excellent user experience;
- learn the basics of design as they relate to web photos and graphics.
- learn how markup languages (HTML/XML), style sheets (CSS), and client-side scripting (JavaScript) render web pages, ebooks, and mobile apps, enabling dynamic and interactive graphics, video, and other media.
