Course Schedule - updated - May 2, 2009

Student Gradesheets Grading Rubric for all assignments (excel 2007 format)  

This is a wide ranging, fast moving course in design, with a focus on visual communication, information architecture and web design. Each week we will focus on a different topic and explore how is it being applied within the web and other digital media. There will be readings, discussion and assignments as a part of the exploration process.

The course will consist of seven 2-week units, each examining an aspect of web interaction, architecture and design. The first part of the unit is devoted to exploring the theory and practice of that particular aspect. The second week will be putting our explorations into practice.

The week ends on Sunday night at midnight. The caveat, though, is that I might be available every weekend, so please do NOT plan on getting feedback or questions answered on Saturday or Sunday.

 

Dates
Topic
Assignment

1

Mon Jan 12 -
Sun Jan 25

Introduction:
Exploration of visual communication and the processes of interaction design.

Post images to Course Blog

Directions for posting to blog.

2

Mon Jan 26 -
Sun Feb 8
Process:
The information gathering process; how to lay a solid foundation for a usable design.
Select your site.

3

Mon Feb 9 -
Sun Feb 22

Organization:
Approaches to Information Architecture.

4 parts - due Feb 22:

  1. Identify Mission and Goals
  2. Identify the Client's Vision
  3. Define the Audience
  4. Targeted Message Create the Competitive Analysis

4

Mon Feb 23 -
Thurs Mar 6

Navigation:
This is what most people think of as the 'information architecture' of a site. The navigation forms the structure and the map of the site. Types of Navigation; how to move through a web site effectively.

Site Inventory - Due March 6 5

Spring Break - Mar 6 5 (5pm) - Mar 17 15

5

Mon Mar 16 -
Sun Mar 29

Design Principles:
A quick overview from Gestalt to the International Style's rules of classicism.

Due March 29

Rhythm and Balance Design Problems

6

Mon Mar 30 -
Sun Apr 12
Usability:
Understanding User-Centered design.
Due April 12
  1. Personas
  2. User Flow Diagram

7

Mon Apr 13 -
Mon Apr 27
Layout:
Applying design and usability to the grid. If you make it fresh, clean and clear, they will come.

Due April 26

Create a sketch or wire frame version of the homepage.

Monday, April 27 – Classes End

Deliverables:
Final Project

This is the final submission for the semester. Put all of the parts of your assignments (except module 5) together into one document. This will be a set of Web Design/ Information Architecture Deliverables. Your final set should consist of:

  1. creative brief (mod 3): Overview of the design problem consisting of these elements in a report-like format:
    • Identify Mission and Goals
    • Identify the Client's Vision
    • Define the Audience
    • Targeted Message
    • Competitive analysis
  2. Optional: site inventory (mod 4)
  3. Content map of existing (mod 4)
  4. Two Personas (mod 6)
  5. User Flow chart (persona moving through site completing a typical task (mod 6). Ideally this will show the persona moving through both the existing and the proposed revised site trying to complete the same task
  6. User Flow chart (persona moving through site completing a typical task (mod 6)
    Ideally this will show the persona moving through both the existing and the proposed revised site completing the same task
  7. Wire frame of homepage and typical inner page.(mod 7)
  8. Content map of revised site navigation (mod 7)
Due May 3
Due May 6

See examples:

 

 
Banner adapted from a photo by Kennymatic of art installation by Brian Belott