Class #1

Topics Covered in Class:

1. Introduction to the class
   
   
   
   1. Syllabus
   
   
   2. Schedule
   
   
   
   


2. Introduction to Jay
   
   
   
   1. parsons
   
   
   2. multex
   
   
   3. bellwether
   
   
   4. thirdmind
   
   
   5. SENSEI
   
   
   6. E-A
   
   
   7. Art
   
   
   
   


3. Tools we'll be using
   
   
   
   • del.icio.us
     My Delicious tags are here and my tags for this class are here. (this was the course number for the first advanced web design course i taught and i've just kept this-- bookmark it for yourself so you don't forget it!
   
   
   
   • this blog
   
   
   
   



4. Introduction to web 2.0


5. REVIEW:
   
   
   
   • What is Functionality? "Functionality" refers to the features or functions provided by the product. The primary focus is on what the user can do with the product.
   
   
   
   • What is Usability? "Usability" refers to the ability to use a product easily, effectively, and efficiently to perform a task. The primary focus is on how people work with a product.
   
   
   • What are Aesthetics? "Aesthetics" are
     a set of generally agreed upon ideas about what makes effective communication in a given medium. Establishing an aesthetical sensibility requires that you look beyond your own personal likes and dislikes to evaluate a work within the medium in which it is presented.
   
   
   • The FUTURE of web design and avoiding obsolescence as a web designer
   
   
   
   
   


6. REVIEW:
   
   
   
   • What are Web Standards?
   
   
   • Ten
     reasons to learn and use web standards
   
   
   
   
   


7. REVIEW:
   
   
   
   • What is Accessibility? "Accessibility" is used to describe how easy something is for everybody to use, regardless of impairment or disability.
   
   
   • Why is Accessibility important?
   
   
   • 10
     Reasons Clients Don't Care About Accessibility
   
   
   
   • LEGAL PRECEDENT SET FOR WEB ACCESSIBILITY: NFB v. Target
   
   
   
   






8. Day One Skills Test

   
   In this in-class test you will be asked to create a simple web page from scratch.
   
   
   
   • Step 1, download this zip file right here
   
   
   • Step 2, unzip the file you will see
     • one photoshop document
     • one png screenshot
   
   
   • Step 3, using the photoshop file to find exact colors, sizes, and fonts and for the image of the "pirates" which you can crop out of the photoshop doc, recreate this screenshot as an html page as accurately as you can
   
   
   
   If you know how to use css do it, and make your page have an external style sheet, if you don't just build it however you know how to. If you know what i mean by "semantic markup" make the markup as semantic as you can. If you are unable to build a page like this, you should not be in this class.
   
   


9. Finding a Client
   
   
   
   • Look for someone with an existing business who is interested in having a web site designed or redesigned. The services you are offering are low or no-cost web design. You will complete the project within the next 15 weeks, so your client must be available by phone or email during that time.
   
   
   • Some good places to contact are:
     
     
     
     • Manhattan Small Business Development Center
     
     
     • Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation
     
     
     • Small Business Development Center at Brooklyn
     
     
     • Brooklyn
       Chamber of Commerce
     
     
     
     
   
   
   • You can also try advertising around the school. Many students and faculty have small-businesses and are often looking for a web site designer. Again, make sure the business is an existing one, not a startup.
   
   
   • Start by asking your client to fill out a Client Survey
     
     
     
     
     • Sample Client Survey
     
     
     
     
   
   
   
   

Homework Week 1

1. Buy the required textbooks from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. OR - Read them on Online Library
   
   
   
   • CSS
     Mastery, friends of ED (February 13, 2006), ISBN#1590596145
   
   
   
   • DOM
     Scripting, friends of ED (September 20, 2005), ISBN#1590595335
   
   
   
   


2. Start looking for a small business client to work with this semester.
   



3. Find five sites that are examples of excellence in web design and Del.icio.us them, include why you chose them in the notes field


4. Reading: The section of Chapter five of the Cluetrain Manifesto called Fort Business. If you are interested read the whole chapter.


5. Create homework index page and post homework link (that is a link to your delicious tags) to it (or blog if necessary). Link homework page to this blog's comments section.

Resources

• If you're not familiar with coding with web standards, or don't know much about structure vs. presentation and the basic rules and syntax of XHTML and CSS you'll want to refresh your XHTML and/or CSS skills complete the following two tutorials before next week.
  
  
  
  
  • XHTML Beginner Tutorial
  
  
  • XHTHL Intermediate Tutorial
  
  
  • CSS Beginner Tutorial
  
  
  • CSS Intermediate Tutorial
  
  
  
  


• If you feel totally lost, I recommend that you take the basic web design class instead, but if you're determined to catch up, complete the tutorials above and buy the additional book below:
  
  
  
  
  • Build Your Own Web Site the Right Way Using HTML & CSS, Ian Lloyd, SitePoint (May 2, 2006), ISBN#0975240293