About This Course
Jobs in Web design require you to know more than how to use Dreamweaver and Flash. Today's Web designers must master CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and understand color, typography and the use of white space. They must also understand usability and accessibility. They need to master Photoshop so they can optimize photos and graphics.
A graduate of our program, working for a large newspaper group, once complained to me that all the applicants for a job at her company were "Flash jockeys" who didn't know anything about CSS or designing for usability. As a result, she could not hire them.
Objectives
It's impossible to fit everything a Web designer needs to know into a single semester. So, realistically, this course aims to:
- Put you on solid footing with today's best practices for page design using CSS and (X)HTML.
- Introduce you to professional standards in accessibility and usable design.
- Provide sufficient instruction and practical work in Macromedia Flash so that you can produce good multimedia journalism packages.
You will work hard in this course, and you will be expected to spend as much as nine hours outside class working on assignments each week.
You must have reliable Internet access to take this class. You will upload assignments to a Web server each week, and you will be required to meet deadlines for doing so. Students may use the free Web space provided by UF.
Software
You are expected to have reliable access to the following applications:
- Dreamweaver 8
- Flash 8 Professional
- Photoshop 7, CS or later
If you do not own these applications, then you'll have to work in UF campus labs. The computer labs in Weimer Hall have limited open-access hours. Other labs on campus do have the applications listed. You will be given some time during class, but it will NOT be possible to complete your homework assignments during class.
Educational pricing for software is much lower than regular pricing. For example, see the pages for Adobe software at JourneyEd.com. Note that work in Photoshop is the smallest part of this course. You are NOT required to buy any software for this course.
Attendance and Attitude
Students are expected to show respect for one another and for the instructor. Attendance and arriving on time for class are necessary. Leaving early when you have been given time to work on projects will be considered a sign of poor scholarship -- unless you show your completed work to me before you leave the room. If you have been absent, you are responsible for finding out about any missed material by going to the instructor’s office hours. Such matters will not be handled via e-mail.
Deadlines
Late assignments will not be accepted. Assignments will be accepted via e-mail only when requested by the instructor. If an illness or a personal emergency prevents you from completing an assignment on time, advance notice and written documentation are required.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty of any kind is not tolerated in this course. It will be reported to Student Judicial Affairs, and it will result in an E for the course. The university's Academic Honesty Guidelines provide additional details, which you are expected to understand completely.
Students with Disabilities
Reasonable accommodations will be made for any students with disabilities. If you have a disability, the Dean of Students Office will give you official documentation, which you will give to your instructor. More information is on the Disability Resources page from the Dean of Students Office.