GDT 150 Design for the Internet

Assignments

Assignment #1 Web Page Elements

Choose any web page, other than one from this class site, and identify the basic elements of the page. To do this, view the source. If you are using a a Mac, or Netscape on a PC, do the following: select all of the code (Ctrl-a), copy it (Ctrl-c), open Microsoft Word, or another word processing program, paste it (Ctrl-v). If you are using Internet Explorer on a PC, the source will open in Notepad or Wordpad; make sure that there is a checkmark next to Word Wrap in the Edit menu. Print the first 2 or 3 pages of the code. Also, print the web page that the code is from.

In the code, label each instance of the following elements (preferably with a colored pen):

Try to match as many elements in the code to the same elements on the web page as possible.

This assignment is due Tuesday, January 23.

Assignment #2 Graphics

Pick any website that you think uses graphics in an interesting way. It can be a site from the list of links on the class site, or any other site that you choose. Write a paragraph or two about why you think they’re interesting, and be prepared to show the site to the class. You may want to add a link to your homepage, also.

This assignment is due Tuesday, February 6.

Project #1

Lay out a web page in Photoshop, using any techniques that you know. You’ll need to have a concept for the page, as well as all the materials and content that need to go on it. Start by doing preliminary thumbnail sketches on paper to rough out ideas. Once you’ve done ten to twenty sketches, pick the one that you think is best, and develop it a bit more, this time using at least half a sheet of paper. When you have a good idea of the layout, move to Photoshop. Lay out your page, keeping in mind that it needs to use a fairly simple grid. Make sure that you’ve included every element that you want on the page and that you’ve created an interesting composition. If you plan to develop this particular page into a larger site, make sure that you’ve planned an area for navigation.

This assignment is due Tuesday, February 13. This project will be the basis for the next project, so make it something that you’ll enjoy returning to.

Assignment #3

Redesign the class homepage using any of the new skills that you have learned. Try to make the page say something about yourself that may not fit into your other projects. It can be an area for simply exploring design ideas, or anything else you’d like.

This is due March 13, but can probably be done by the end of class.

Project #3

Design in Photoshop and build in Dreamweaver a three page site. This site can either be three new pages added onto your previous page, or it can be an entirely new site. Each page should have different content on it and each page can be unique, or if they’re being added as subpages to your existing homepage, they can all use a template, or if it’s a new site, they can be a homepage with two similar subpages.

This project is due March 20. It should be posted online at the beginning of class. The timeline for this project is much shorter, so you should expect to get started right away.

Final Project

Due 4.26.2001

For your final project, choose an entirely new topic/ theme/ approach. I don’t want this project to be a continuation of the previous 3 projects. Concentrate on coming up with a really good idea: something that you really have something to say about. It will make a big difference to your designs.

Create a complete site with at least 5 pages. It can certainly have more pages, but the site should be complete. There shouldn’t be any pages that are not created and filled with content. Every page should be somehow unique, but still fit together to form a stylistically and conceptually uniform site.

Concentrate on creating a really good design. Pick three or four sites that take an approach to design that you like. Figure out what it is that attracts you to the design style and borrow what you think could be applied to your design. Turn in a list of the sites and what you want to borrow from them on Tuesday, April 2.