Course Syllabus

FA 3000 Design for the Net 1 - Fall 2013

Section - 1: M,W 09:40 AM-11:35 AM 
Class location:
M LI 1745
4-credit hours studio course


Instructor: Laura Dahl
Email: laura.dahl@utah.edu
Cell: 801.712.0135
Office: Language and Communication Building #2950 (knock loudly)
Office hours: by appointment


Instructor:
Martin Novak

Office:
Film and Media Arts Building 370 S 1530 East #100B Code: FMAB 
Building Number: 36 (map)
Office hours: by appointment 
Contact: e-mail to novakm9@gmail.com

Arts and Technology courses information:
http://help.finearts.utah.edu/http://www.artstech.utah.edu

Syllabus contents: 

  • Course description
  • Course objectives
  • Teaching & learning methods
  • Prerequisites
  • Required text
  • Required resources
  • Course requirements
  • Attendance
  • Participation
  • Keeping up personal Blog
  • Project Completion
  • Grading

Course description

This course is an introduction to creating content for the World Wide Web. Students are introduced to basic principals and tools for creating web content using basics of HTML and of CSS using Adobe Dreamweaver CS6.

Emphasis in this course is placed on teaching students to communicate visually design elements, set up a site, create site structure with content specifically for web and publishing. Besides learning technical skills students also explore aesthetic, cultural, social and personal issues relating to creating content for web.

Course objectives

Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

  • Define terms associated with the World Wide Web and the Hypertext markup language.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the Internet and the various tools utilized including: Browsers, e-mail clients, FTP clients and utilities.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of basic Web design principles.
  • Demonstrate awareness of design considerations that affect Web page construction including audience, browser version and cross platform issues.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and ability to create effective, structured Web pages using HTML, CSS.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate use of color and typography on the Web.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the various tools used to create HTML documents using Text Edit and Adobe Dreamweaver.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of how to create raster and vector images specifically for web utilizing Photoshop, Illustrator.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of image compression; utilize various tools and techniques.
  • Publishing and maintaining website using FTP and Dreamweaver publishing tools.

Teaching & learning methods

This is a studio-based course; most learning will be done in a classroom through tutorials, demonstrations and hands-on projects. From an experience, the most effective method to learn computer applications and techniques is by practically solving problems and working on projects.

Besides in-class participation you are required to spend 2 hours of your own time for each class period (about 6 after class hours each week). 
The class time will be used on demonstrations and lectures. Several class periods, depending on the class progress, will be used to work on your projects and to get individual help and advice from the instructor. However, most of the work on individual projects will be done on your own time outside of class. It is absolutely essential you come to each class on time and prepared with questions to problems you may have not been able to solve by your self. Take advantage of my office hours where I can give you individual help with problems that you may encounter. 
 Besides studio practices, we will also explore the history and theory behind new media and computer arts. Through readings covering various genres you will gain a broader view of this field and its potentials in your own work. For each reading assignment you will write a 2 page summary and individual response.

Disclaimer

Completing this course will satisfy the prerequisites for other Fine Arts courses. This course does not satisfy the FA or IE requirements for graduation. To find courses that will fit those requirements, please visit your university or departmental advisors. Meanwhile, we hope you will consider the value of this course for the information and skills that it teaches.

Prerequisites

FA 2000 - Introduction to Computer Arts or instructors consent. You have to be able to effectively use Photoshop, Illustrator, and basic video editing.

Required text:

Dreamweaver CS6: The Missing Manual

By: David Sawyer McFarland

Publisher: O'Reilly Media, Inc.

Pub. Date: July 16, 2012

Print ISBN-13: 978-1-4493-1617-4

Pages in Print Edition: 1032

This book is also available as ebook from the University of Utah Marriot Library digital archive. How ever there is a limit on how many users can access copy of the book at one time.  If there is too many users trying to access the title you may not be able to access it and finish your work on time. You are responsible for turning all work on time if you choose to use the ebook option and not to purchase the paperback.

http://proquest.safaribooksonline.com.ezproxy.lib.utah.edu/book/web-design-and-development/9781449326999

Online reading and resources TBA:
Some reading assignments and tutorials will be placed on the fine arts server. 

Required resources

Access to a computer. If you do not own personal computer with the applications (Adobe Dreamweaver CS6  [CS5 would be also acceptable] and Photoshop and or Illustrator ) we use in classroom, you are expected to use the University of Utah computing facilities to complete work for this course done outside of the classroom.


Flash drive 4G - 16GB, or portable hard to store your work on. Flash drives are inexpensive and portable way to store your data. I recommend you save and store your work in several places to prevent lose of your work if files get corrupted. You are responsible for saving, storing and backing up your work data. Failing to save your work may effect your class work and grade if you are not able to submit your work you did not save.  No storage solution is safe from failing or corruption! Save and backup frequently and on several devices (ex.: your portable storage solution and the finarts server. See bellow for more information) !

Fine Arts Server

We will sign up for the server together during our first class meeting. The Fine Arts Server is an important resource. We will be using the server every class period. Use the server to store your work, publish your website and turn in your work for grade. 

Link to information how to connect to the fine arts server from Mac and PC here:
http://helpdesk.finearts.utah.edu/index.php/detail/C7/

General Course Requirements

Attendance

Design for Net I is 4-credit hour studio course. Successful completion of this course is depending on regular attendance. A great deal of technical information will be covered in class. Regularly attending class allows students to receive individual help from the instructor and benefit from other students in the class who are working on the same assignments. If you are absent from class you will be responsible for following-up on missed work and obtaining any missed handouts or information. Contact the instructor immediately if an unavoidable attendance problem arises or for university excused absences or other accommodations. 
Attendance is one of the most important aspects of this course.  Missing class means you miss lectures, work time and time to meet with the instructors and fellow students. As a result, a great deal of work and effort is required on your part to make up any lost time outside of class, and also to keep up with what is currently happening. 

Arriving late to class also is distracting and  slows down the tempo of class. Tardy attendance accrues to equaling absences. 3 tardies = 1 absence. Preventing any of these headaches is easy, simply by attending class.

Grading is weighted by attendance! 3 absences =  grade reduction of final grade (3 from A to A-; 4 from A to B;  5 from A to B-; 6 from A to C …).


The only exception and excuse I will take in consideration is serious health issues supported by a note from your physician or advisor. Other absences to be excused have to be come through official university offices, student dean or student advisor. Please make arrangements to be in class on time and be prepared to participate and contribute to class work and discussions.

Attendance is taken at the beginning of class. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY if you come late to make sure you stop by my desk at the end of class and let me know to mark you present, otherwise you will be marked absent for the entire class period. Changes to your attendance will not be made in retrospect at later point or by email request!

Class communication:

Most information about the class is on Canvas.  However Canvas is not substitute for class lectures. If you have any questions outside of class, contact me using email or Canvas massage. I will respond within 24 hours on weekdays or 48 hours on weekends (Ex. email sent on Sunday would be replied to Monday morning). Keep your email messages formal and to the point. Include which class and section you are communicating about.

Using computers and the University network

University computers and network are not to be used for any applications or activities other then those required for your class work or work related to University business! Personal email and instant messaging applications are strictly prohibited to use during class periods on all devices and students are strictly forbidden to download to University property or computer system any applications! 
Personal web browsing, facebooking or other distractions will not be tolerated and you will be asked to leave class for the rest of the class period if your behavior disturbs the lecture. Other then class related activities on University property are strictly forbidden! Not following and breach these guidelines will result in immediate dismissal from class.

Participation

Students are expected to come to class prepared to work, participate in discussions, interact with the instructor and other students during lecture and lab time, and present finished projects on time to the rest of the class for review. Participation and attendance have a great effect on your final grade. Even if you successfully complete all your projects you may be receiving a less then expected grade because of poor participation and attendance. From past experience, students who attend classes regularly and participate, even if their projects may not receive excellent grades, obtain higher final grades compared to students who do not participate and poorly attend classes even though their projects get an excellent grade. That is not to say that either case will receive excellent final grade.

Project Completion

Students will be assigned a number of projects throughout the course. Each project will have a description stating project goals and due dates. Project evaluations will be based on meeting the goals, demonstrating of technical skills and the quality of the finished work.  Projects are due on assigned due date before class! Late submitted work will automatically receive C grade. Late work will be accepted for grade 2 classes (1 week) after the due date. Project more then 2 class periods past its due date is not acceptable for grade. Exceptions are only granted for serious medical issues with instructors consent.

Use of outside sources in your projects

This is course where you will learn the basic principles of web design. It is essential that you workout all problems by your self! You are not allowed to use any pre-made templates available on Internet, plug-ins, or components that are not your own. You are also not allowed to use .php, . js techniques in this class! The focus of this class is on learning basic HTML, CSS, layout, content management and design principles.  Every student project has to be created by you, using your own or approved resources. Any use of copyrighted, outside materials (images, text, graphics, content, scripts, code) is to be discussed and approved prior to project completion with instructor. Failing to submit list of your outside resources will result in failing grade. Projects will not be accepted for grade if there is an evidence the materials use were not your own, made from commercial or free templates or include materials that are not credited. When you are using web content from other sites you have to credit the original site and include clear link to the content. 
Any class resources such as tutorials, examples used in lectures, can not be used in individual class projects, unless approved by the instructor.

Course Work 

Keep personal WordPress blog

Every artist designer or creative thinker keeps sketchbook, journal or notebook to draw, keep ideas and inspirations. Since focus of this course is on web and digital media you will keep personal blog with ideas that you find on internet, research to your interest, links to sites that inspire you and write about your thinking and creative process.  You should have 2 to 4 entries each week, showing research, interests, curiosity about new interesting web content and technology. You can use your blog to discuss your projects, motivations, struggles and successes in achieving your goals.

The finaerts server is setup for you to use Wordpress 
Blog.  

Assignments 

During the semester you will complete number of assignments design to practice and learn web design skills. Class assignments and tutorials are graded on completion to help you learn new application.  Assignments have to be turned-in on assigned due date to receive full points. Late assignments will be graded 50%. Assignments turned in later then 2 class periods will be graded 0%.

Projects

You will complete 4 Individual projects, each one focused on giving you opportunity to present how well you can realize concepts and techniques learned in class into functional product.

Each individual project is evaluated on these categories:

1.Successfully completed projects by the assigned due date. 

2.Execution and how well the project satisfies the goal of the assignment.

  1. Content organization and management. 

4.Code organization, site functionality.

5.Consideration for design theory, layout aesthetics and overall appeal.

  1. Student’s conceptual concern, thoughtfulness, and commitment to the project .

Quizzes 

In addition to individual projects you are graded with quizzes on how well you understand the theory and concepts, tutorial/assignments graded on completion to help you learn new application, and short essays to help you develop conceptual ideas.

 Grading 

Attendance and participation 10 %

Personal Blog 10%

Assignment   20%

Quizzes 10%

Individual Projects 50%

Grading scale

A

100%

to 96%

A-

> 96%

to 91%

B+

> 91%

to 88%

B

> 88%

to 84%

B-

> 84%

to 81%

C+

> 81%

to 77%

C

> 77%

to 73%

C-

> 73%

to 69%

D+

> 69%

to 64%

D

> 64%

to 60%

D-

> 60%

to 57%

F

> 57%

to 0%

Grade Equivalents

A = sustained level of superior performance demonstrated in all areas of Course Requirements and Project Assignment Criteria 
B = consistent level of performance that is distinctly above average in a majority of the Course Requirements and Project Assignment Criteria
C = level of performance that is generally average and in which all the Course Requirements and Project Assignment Criteria are achieved 
D = below average performance and achievement of the Course Requirements and Project Assignment Criteria 
E = accomplishment of the Course Requirements and Project Assignment Criteria is not at a level sufficient to receive a passing grade

The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities. If you will need accommodations in this class, reasonable prior notice needs to be given to the Center for Disability Services, 162 Olpin Union Building, 581-5020 (V/TDD). CDS will work with you and the instructor to make arrangements for accommodations.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due