Syllabus
Web Design Basics is designed to introduce students to programming as a creative medium—as a way of making and exploring. The coursework focuses on developing a vocabulary of interaction design principles which can then be applied across a range of platforms. Students are encouraged to experiment with various media, tools, and techniques, ultimately producing a portfolio of interactive and visual projects designed for the screen. An emphasis is placed on typography as it applies to a screen context, research-based problem solving and a “learning through making” approach to technical skill building. Historical and current interaction design precedents will be discussed.
Teachers
- Pat Shiu — patshiu@newschool.edu
- Will Denton — goldweiw@newschool.edu
- Office hours by appointment only.
Course Outline
Weeks 1-3 Introduction to Web Design and Computing Fundamentals
In the first few weeks, students are introduced to general programming concepts and computing fundamentals through a variety of exercises both on paper and in digital form. An overview of the tools and environments used for contemporary software development and deployment provides a foundation upon which later assignments can be built.
Weeks 4-8 Web Design Basics, Markup and Style
Students will learn the basics of markup (HTML) and style (CSS) in the context of developing basic programs. An emphasis is placed on typography as it applies to the digital context, including web fonts and CSS typesetting. We’ll also discuss basic principles of web design, including grids, user experience, and visual hierarchy.
Weeks 9-11 Interaction, Media, and API’s
Students are introduced to dynamic interaction using Javascript, and should explore common logic patterns and control flow within the language. External media and protocols are introduced to respond to more complex compositional or narrative-based assignments. Students should build on their understanding of fundamental programming concepts to create projects which respond dynamically to external input (user, dataset, API, etc.).
Week 12-15 Bring it Together / Final Project
This class culminates in a longer form project that builds on the topics discussed thus far in the class. This project can be self-initiated/proposal-based, or can respond to a set of parameters/framework provided by the instructors. The project should demonstrate each student’s ability to use programming to articulate their specific design process and outlook. Final projects should be published to the live web and documented for future reference.
Learning Outcomes
By the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Concept projects that use interactivity and code in a creative way
- Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental programming concepts
- Evaluate how typography is applied to interactive systems to facilitate orientation, usability and to create consistency
- Develop several visual & interactive projects
- Objectively present their design process and workflow
- Integrate a variety of media elements into their projects
- Problem solve with other students through reading other students’ code
- Demonstrate the ability to research and learn unfamiliar technical topics
- Research historic and current design precedents to contextualize their work
Readings
Weekly readings will be assigned, please come to class prepared for discussion.
The recommended textbook for this class is Learn to Code Now by SuperHi.
This book is available as a print or digital copy, with a 20% discount for students.
Purchase Learn to Code Now Book
Notes on Coding
In this class, we will outline key concepts of how HTML, CSS, and Javascript work together, but the majority of the learning will occur outside of the classroom, as you write code.
It is important that you write code, and that you do it often.
Persistence is crucial to gaining fluency in code.
If you should ever feel that you are unable to debug something, or stuck in any way, contact your instructors, we are here to help.
Materials
Coding Tools Please come to class with a laptop, charger, notebook and pen. For programming we will have you use the following (free) programs and services:
Design Tools We encourage you to use Sketch for design as it is now the industry standard for web/ux/ui design. There is a free 30 day trial on their website as well as a 50% discount for students. Unfortunately, it is only for Mac OS.
An alternative to Sketch is Adobe XD. It is free and cross-platform.
Design Research Tools Web design research will be a core part of this class. You will be expected to show some references and influences for your work. We recommend using Are.na for this.
Resources
There are a number of free resources that are available to you to help you with material we will be covering in class:
The university also provides many resources to help students achieve academic and artistic excellence. These resources include:
- The University (and associated) Libraries
- The University Learning Center
- University Disabilities Service
In particular, the University Learning Center offers in-person coding assistance to those who need it.
In keeping with the university’s policy of providing equal access for students with disabilities, any student with a disability who needs academic accommodations is welcome to meet with us privately. All conversations will be kept confidential. Students requesting any accommodations will also need to contact Student Disability Service (SDS). SDS will conduct an intake and, if appropriate, the Director will provide an academic accommodation notification letter for you to bring to us. At that point, we will review the letter with you and discuss these accommodations in relation to this course.
Making Center
The Making Center is a constellation of shops, labs, and open workspaces that are situated across the New School to help students express their ideas in a variety of materials and methods. We have resources to help support woodworking, metalworking, ceramics and pottery work, photography and film, textiles, printmaking, 3D printing, manual and CNC machining, and more. A staff of technicians and student workers provide expertise and maintain the different shops and labs. Safety is a primary concern, so each area has policies for access, training, and etiquette that students and faculty should be familiar with. Many areas require specific orientations or trainings before access is granted. Detailed information about the resources available, as well as schedules, trainings, and policies can be found at resources.parsons.edu.
Grading Standards
- Attendance and participation 20%
- In-class and Take-home Assignments 50%
- Final Assignment 30%
- Total 100%
Grades
| Grade | Quality of Student Work |
|---|---|
| A | Work of exceptional quality, which often goes beyond the stated goals of the course |
| A- | Work of very high quality |
| B+ | Work of high quality that indicates higher than average abilities |
| B | Very good work that satisfies the goals of the course |
| B- | Good work |
| C+ | Above-average work |
| C | Average work that indicates an understanding of the course material; passable Satisfactory completion of a course is considered to be a grade of C or higher. |
| C- | Passing work but below good academic standing |
| D | Below-average work that indicates a student does not fully understand the assignments; Probation level though passing for credit |
| F | Failure, no credit |
Grade of W
The grade of W may be issued by the Office of the Registrar to a student who officially withdraws from a course within the applicable deadline. There is no academic penalty, but the grade will appear on the student transcript. A grade of W may also be issued by an instructor to a graduate student (except at Parsons and Mannes) who has not completed course requirements nor arranged for an Incomplete.
Grade of Z
The grade of Z is issued by an instructor to a student who has not attended or not completed all required work in a course but did not officially withdraw before the withdrawal deadline. It differs from an “F,” which would indicate that the student technically completed requirements but that the level of work did not qualify for a passing grade.
Grades of Incomplete
The grade of I, or temporary incomplete, may be granted to a student under unusual and extenuating circumstances, such as when the student’s academic life is interrupted by a medical or personal emergency. This mark is not given automatically but only upon the student’s request and at the discretion of the instructor. A Request for Incomplete form must be completed and signed by student and instructor. The time allowed for completion of the work and removal of the “I” mark will be set by the instructor with the following limitations:
Work must be completed no later than the seventh week of the following fall semester for spring or summer term incompletes and no later than the seventh week of the following spring semester for fall term incompletes. Grades of “I” not revised in the prescribed time will be recorded as a final grade of “WF” by the Office of the Registrar.
Divisional, Program and Class Policies
Responsibility
Students are responsible for all assignments, even if they are absent. Late assignments, failure to complete the assignments for class discussion and/or critique, and lack of preparedness for in-class discussions, presentations and/or critiques will jeopardize your successful completion of this course.
Participation
Class participation is an essential part of class and includes: keeping up with reading, assignments, projects, contributing meaningfully to class discussions, active participation in group work, and coming to class regularly and on time.
Attendance
Parsons’ attendance guidelines were developed to encourage students’ success in all aspects of their academic programs. Full participation is essential to the successful completion of coursework and enhances the quality of the educational experience for all, particularly in courses where group work is integral; thus, Parsons promotes high levels of attendance. Students are expected to attend classes regularly and promptly and in compliance with the standards stated in this course syllabus.
While attendance is just one aspect of active participation, absence from a significant portion of class time may prevent the successful attainment of course objectives. A significant portion of class time is generally defined as the equivalent of three weeks, or 20%, of class time. Lateness or early departure from class may be recorded as one full absence. Students may be asked to withdraw from a course if habitual absenteeism or tardiness has a negative impact on the class environment.
Whether the course is a lecture, seminar or studio, faculty will assess each student’s performance against all of the assessment criteria in determining the student’s final grade.
Canvas
Use of Canvas may be an important resource for this class. Students should check it for announcements before coming to class each week.
Delays
In rare instances, we may be delayed arriving to class. If we have not arrived by the time class is scheduled to start, you must wait a minimum of thirty minutes for our arrival. In the event that we will miss class entirely, a sign will be posted at the classroom indicating your assignment for the next class meeting.
Electronic Devices
The use of electronic devices (phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, etc.) is permitted when the device is being used in relation to the course’s work. All other uses are prohibited in the classroom and devices should be turned off before class starts.
Academic Honesty and Integrity
Compromising your academic integrity may lead to serious consequences, including (but not limited to) one or more of the following: failure of the assignment, failure of the course, academic warning, disciplinary probation, suspension from the university, or dismissal from the university.
Students are responsible for understanding the University’s policy on academic honesty and integrity and must make use of proper citations of sources for writing papers, creating, presenting, and performing their work, taking examinations, and doing research. It is the responsibility of students to learn the procedures specific to their discipline for correctly and appropriately differentiating their own work from that of others. The full text of the policy, including adjudication procedures, is found athttp://www.newschool.edu/policies/# Resources regarding what plagiarism is and how to avoid it can be found on the Learning Center’s website: http://www.newschool.edu/university-learning-center/student-resources/
The New School views “academic honesty and integrity” as the duty of every member of an academic community to claim authorship for his or her own work and only for that work, and to recognize the contributions of others accurately and completely. This obligation is fundamental to the integrity of intellectual debate, and creative and academic pursuits. Academic honesty and integrity includes accurate use of quotations, as well as appropriate and explicit citation of sources in instances of paraphrasing and describing ideas, or reporting on research findings or any aspect of the work of others (including that of faculty members and other students). Academic dishonesty results from infractions of this “accurate use”. The standards of academic honesty and integrity, and citation of sources, apply to all forms of academic work, including submissions of drafts of final papers or projects. All members of the University community are expected to conduct themselves in accord with the standards of academic honesty and integrity. Please see the complete policy in the Parsons Catalog.