ART 466: design for the www II
SPRING 2022
TOWSON UNIVERSITY
Instructor - RYAN T SMITH
email: rtsmith@towson.edu
Dates: 01/31/2022 - 05/24/2022
Wednesdays 6:00pm - 9:50pm
Room: CA4030
Catalog Description:
Advanced web authoring techniques and research as related to interactivity, information design, and web usability.
Prerequisites: ART 365 and ART 355.
Course Description:
This course will explore the processes and design considerations of developing websites. Students will complete a series of projects using best practices for wire-framing, information architecture and usability. We will explore design and aesthetics in projects that also meet W3C validation and Section 508 requirements. Students will investigate site and CSS frameworks as well as Content Management Systems and Web Applications. The focus will be on creating sites that are well designed, function properly and scale in a real-world deployment.
Course Objectives:
- Render your creative vision in semantically correct HTML 5.
- Produce a series of websites, which will focus on CSS based formatting and layout techniques.
- Design intuitive information architectures that support credibility.
- Use modern digital imaging techniques for site efficiency and scalability.
- Upload and maintain project web sites on a public Internet server.
- Explore adjunct technologies such as jQuery (and maybe some PHP code)
Required materials for this class:
(1) a flash drive or hard drive: 2GB or more
(some external device to store your work on)
(2) *Personal Web Space (Towson user accounts are fine)
(3) a sketchbook, something not too big, about 8x10 inches
(for notes and sketches)
(4) something to write & make drawings with
(suggested) a digital camera
Application Software That We Will Use:
- BBEdit
*or Brackets is also good : http://brackets.io
- More than 1 Web Browser (Firefox, Safari, Explorer, etc.)
- Photoshop (any version)
- an FTP interface (we will talk more about this later)
- Dreamweaver (optional)
- iTunes (optional)
Suggested Reading:
w3schools.com
w3schools.com/css
htmldog.com
w3.org
w3.org/standards/webdesign
Course Policies:
Attendance is mandatory. You are expected to come to all the classes this semester.
Attendance will affect your grade for the class. Always tell the teacher why you missed a class.
While absent from class, it is your responsibility to learn the material that you might have missed.
Class participation will affect your grade. In addition to being in class, you are expected to come prepared, and say something during class discussions and critiques. Asking intelligent questions, will always get you class participation points.
Speak up. Please stop me, get me to elaborate, ask me to repeat myself, or slowdown.
During Class: do not text, do not use this time to check your email, do not play games, don't do any online shopping, and don't fall asleep. If you find yourself getting bored, then be productive; work on a project, or just draw. But, don't be a distraction to others. If you are starting to fall asleep, then excuse yourself, and leave the room.
Due Dates should be taken seriously.
Always turn in something by the due date, even if it is incomplete.
Grading:
Project grades will be averaged at the end of the semester, and determine the majority of your final grade. ( 70% )
-The grades for these projects will be based on your attention to detail, organization,
consistent aesthetic style, and the ability to follow directions
-Projects should be turned in on time
-You will be asked to present your work in class. Presentations affect your grade.
-Preliminary sketches and/or evidence of research will be collected with your projects.
Homework, classwork, quizzes, and/or reading ( 20% )
-You will be given homework assignments to help you prepare for your projects.
-There may be some quizzes.
-You will be expected to read (or watch) some material, and write some responses.
Class Participation & Attendance ( 10% )
-You are expected to come to every class prepared, on time, and ready to learn.
A grades : 90 - 100%
Your work is exceptional.
There is not much you could do to improve your work.
B grades : 80 - 89%
Your work is complete, or you followed most of the directions.
However, your work could be improved.
C grades : 70 - 79%
You struggled with the project(s), and need to improve your work.
However, you did enough work to earn a passing grade.
D grades : 60 - 69%
Your work is less than satisfactory, and incomplete.
You did not do enough work to earn a passing grade.
F grades : 0 - 59%
I need to ask, "what were you thinking?"
You barely did anything, or did not do anything at all.
Late work always gets a C or less.
Academic Dishonesty & Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Do not cheat. Do not copy the work of other students and artists. If you use someone's work, or are heavily influenced by someone's work, then give some credit to that person.
Support:
Special Assistance Notice
(from the Americans with Disabilities Act)
If you have a disabling condition that will require an accommodation in tests or class structure, please advise the instructor or the department accordingly.
Available Support:
I am here to help you. Please take advantage of the fact that I care about you, and want you to succeed.
Email me anytime. If you need help, then ask me.
Technical Support at TOWSON:
Student Computing Services (SCS) located in the Cook Library, Room 35
http://www.towson.edu/technology/studentservices/locations/index.html
e-mail: scs@towson.edu
College of Fine Arts & Communication Civility Policy:
COFAC places a priority on learning. We value the inherent worth and dignity of every person, thereby fostering a community of mutual respect. Students have the right to a learning environment free of disruptive behaviors and offensive comments. Faculty have the right to define appropriate behavioral expectations in the classroom and expect students to abide by them. Faculty have the responsibility to manage and address classroom disruption. Staff have the right and responsibility to define appropriate behaviors necessary to conduct any university activity free of disruption or obstruction. We believe that in order to achieve these ideals, all COFAC students, staff, and faculty are expected to exhibit and practice civil behaviors that exemplify:
(1)respecting faculty, staff, fellow students, guests, and all university
property, policies, rules and regulations;
(2) taking responsibility for oneʼs choices, actions and comments;
(3) delivering correspondence – whether verbal, nonverbal, written, or electronic – with respectful language using professional writing standards and etiquette; and
(4) accepting consequences of oneʼs choices and actions. The use of offensive, threatening or abusive language, writing, or behavior will not be tolerated and can lead to academic dismissal.