Syllabus

Office building, room:

Phone:
Office hours:
Email:
Building/Room:
Meeting Times:

Winter 2016
Swapnil Mathkar
Adler 125
912-525-5173
1:30 - 2:30pm (Monday-Thursday)
smathkar@scad.edu
ADLER 129
Tuesday / Thursday
8:00 AM - 10:30 AM

School of Communication Arts, Department of Graphic Design, Savannah

GRDS 384 - Web Design

Section: 03 CRN: 21619

SCAD Mission:
The Savannah College of Art and Design exists to prepare talented students for professional careers,
emphasizing learning through individual attention in a positively oriented university environment.
Course Description:
Concentrating on the design, development, implementation, testing and updating of effective interfaces,
this course emphasizes principles of graphic design, interactivity and usability. Students learn about a
variety of visual, navigational and structural approaches to CSS, navigation systems, visual hierarchy,
basic animations, image preparation and file transferring protocols. Vital coursework and career
preparation highlight conceptual development and structure, interactivity, and design
aesthetics.Prerequisite(s): GRDS 285.
Course Goals: The following course goals articulate the general objectives and purpose of this course:
1. Students will develop the skills and techniques for creatively designing with HTML.
2. Students will explore the ways in which computers are changing the arts, the field of
communication and the profession of graphic design.
3. Students will develop design sensibility and expand their awareness of current trends in the
electronic world of the Internet.
4. Students will develop presentations that integrate multimedia.
5. Students will explore various venues for Internet design: education, entertainment, artistic,
corporate and scientific purposes.

Student Learning Outcomes: The following course outcomes indicate competencies and
measurable skills that students develop as a result of completing this course:
1. Students will design for online environments using the fundamentals of HTML, DHTML and
XHTML through a series of project-based assignments.
2. Students will generate, publish and edit conceptually and technically sound web pages
through a series of written, test and project-based exercises.
3. Students will actively participate in constructive critiques and presentations.
4. Students will develop a presentation that successfully integrates multimedia.
5. Students will apply the appropriate terminology associated with online presentation in written
and project-based exercises.

Schedule of Classes:
Key events including assignments, projects due dates/exam dates:
Class 1:
Thu,
January 7,
2016

Class and Course introduction,

In class discussion on these two topics below:
John Maeda: Designing for Simplicity
Kevin Slavin: How algorithms shape our world
Assign Project 1.
Work on Research and sketches in class.

Class 2:
Tue,
January
12, 2016

Class 3:
Thu,
January
14, 2016

Class 4:
Tue,
January
19, 2016
Class 5:
Thu,
January
21, 2016

Review 3 Personas, 10 Website Layout Sketches and Review Current

Sitemap pdfs. Critique/Disucssion.
Demo on how to set up grids 960Grids. Work in class on grids.

Academic Honesty Presentation.

Review Redesign Sitemap, Wireframes, Images, Headers and Body
copy type treatments, 6 sets of Color Choices, and 6 Background
options.

Project 1 Due pdf, Critique/Discussion. Assign Project 2.

Work on Research and sketches in class.

Review 3 Personas and Sketches and Current Sitemap pdfs. Critique/Discussion.

Work on Redesign Sitemap, Wireframes, Images, Headers and Body copy type treatments,
Sets of Color Choices, and Background options.
Presentation on HTML, Part 1.

Class 6:
Tue,
January
26, 2016

Review Redesign Sitemap, Wireframes, 10 Images, 6 Headers and 6 Body copy type
treatments, 6 Sets of Color Choices, and 6 Background options. Critique/Discussion.
Presentation on HTML, Part 2.
Begin work on Prototypes pdfs (3 layout design options of 1 Org.).

Class 7:
Thu,
January
28, 2016

Review 3 design layouts of index page, (Prototypes pdfs, 1st drafts) on screen from drop-box.
Critique/Discussion.
Work on refining the 2nd drafts of prototypes. Presentations on File naming conventions and
File/folder Structure. Discussion on basic layout building.

Class 8:
Tue,
February
2, 2016

Class 9:
Thu,
February
4, 2016

Review Prototypes pdfs (2nd drafts) on screen from drop-box. Critique/Discussion.

Tutorials on importing images, text links, image rollovers, inserting text in the layout, adding
text columns, Creating type classifications within div tags.

Test 1 on HTML.
Review the index page in DW. Critique/Discussion.
Tutorials on Borders, Round corners, CSS Opacity, Buttons, Fixed
Background.
Work on tweaking index page based on the critique in class.

Class 10:
Tue,
February
9, 2016

Review 1st set of 3 HTML pages in DW.

Tutorials on Simple Slide Show, Hover Effects, Email Link.
Individual student in-progress meetings.

Class 11:
Thu,
February
11, 2016

Review 5 HTML pages in DW (100% Completed in HTML).

Individual student in-progress meetings.
Work on tweaking layouts for final presentation.

Class 12:
Tue,
February
16, 2016
Class 13:
Thu,
February
18, 2016

Project 2 Due pdf, Critique/Discussion.

Assign Project 3. Website research Field-trip.

Presentation on CSS, Part 1.

Review 3 Personas and Sketches and Sitemap pdfs.
Work on Redesign Sitemap, Wireframes, Images, Headers and Body copy type treatments,
Sets of Color Choices, and Background options.

Class 14:
Tue,
February
23, 2016

Class 15:
Thu,
February
25, 2016

Class 16:
Tue,
March 1,
2016

Class 17:
Thu,
March 3,
2016

Class 18:
Tue,
March 8,
2016

Class 19:
Thu,
March 10,
2016

Class 20:
Tue,
March 15,
2016

Presentation on CSS, Part 2.

Review 6 Logo options, Wireframes, 10 Images, 6 Headers and 6 Body copy type treatments,
6 Sets of Color Choices, and 6 Background options. Critique/Discussion.
Begin work on Prototypes pdfs (3 layout design options of 1 Org.).

Test 2 on CSS.
Review 3 design layouts of index page, (Prototypes pdfs, 1st drafts)
on screen from drop-box. Critique/Discussion.
Tutorials on Drop down menu, CSS Gradients, CSS checkboxes,
Multiple classes.

Review the index page in DW. Critique/Discussion.

Tutorials on adding Slider, CSS Transitions.
Work on the 1st set of HTML pages in class.

Review 1st set of 3 HTML pages in DW.

Tutorials on Form, fixed navigation, bouncing arrow.
Individual student in-progress meetings.
Work on the 2nd set of HTML pages in class.

Review 2nd set of 3 HTML pages in DW.

Individual student in-progress meetings.
Work on tweaking HTML pages based on the critique in class.

Review 5 HTML pages in DW (100% Completed in HTML).

Individual student in-progress meetings.
Work on tweaking layouts for final presentation.

Project 3 Due / Discussion and Critique.

Grading Opportunities:
Your overall course grade will be computed according to the following breakdown:
Assignment

Weight

Project 1

5.00 percent

Test 1

12.50 percent

Test 2

12.50 percent

Project 2

35.00 percent

Project 3

35.00 percent

Total Weight

100 percent

Grading Standards

Range

Letter grade: A = excellent

90 100 %

Letter grade: B = good

80 89 %

Letter grade: C = *

70 79 %

Letter grade: D = *

60 69%

Letter grade: F = failing

0 59%

*Refer to the student handbooks and departmental standards for minimal acceptance for
passing grade.

Course Information:
Field Trip(s):
is scheduled on Tuesday, February 16, exact time and venue will be announced in the
class. Additional Field-trip will be announced prior to the scheduled class.

Extra Help Session(s):

is scheduled on the Friday, March 11, exact class and time will be announced prior to
the help session. Additional Extra Help Sessions will be announced in prior classes.

Extended Learning Opportunities:

TDC61 (TYPE DIRECTORS CLUB) ANNUAL TRAVELING EXHIBITION
January 6 - January 29
Opening Reception, Friday, January 8 at 2:00PM - 4:00PM
HOW DESIGN LIVE LECTURE SERIES HOSTED BY THE SCAD GRAPHIC DESIGN
DEPARTMENT and MODERATED BY ILISE BENUN
SCAD MOA, ARNOLD HALL
(Also online via Live Webcast)

January 14, 2016, 5:00PM SCAD MOA

January 28, 2016, 5:00PM SCAD MOA
February 11, 2016, 5:00PM ARNOLD HALL
February 25, 2016, 5:00PM SCAD MOA
March 10, 2016, 5:00PM ARNOLD HALL
Dates, times and location subject to change.

Other Course Information:

If I observe Internet browsing not related to an assignment, or email checks other than SCAD, it will affect your grades.
Using our in-class work sessions to work on assignments from other classes is not allowed.
I encourage you to communicate with me via email about medical and family emergency, before the class. If you are
absent, please email me the pdf file within the 1st half and hour from the beginning of the class. I check email often and
will respond to your work as quickly as possible or make a note of it.
If you are absent, your work has to be in the dropbox within 30 mins from the beginning of the class or you
can email me pdf or zip file, if there are dropbox uploading issues.
Please consult Blackboard first to see if an assignment is posted, carefully read the assignment or ask another student for
further information if you miss a class. I encourage you to come in my office hours to discuss project details and updates.
It is your responsibility to ask for clarification.
I expect everyone to participate in critique during presentations; working on your own projects will not be accepted.
Grading Rules: Remember that a C means average. If you want your grade to reflect excellence, your work must be
excellent in every respect. Your final grade for the course will be based on digital process and project grades; an overall
willingness to learn; your timely participation in discussions and critiques; your ability to meet deadlines, and the
presentation of your work.
Grading will closely follow the real world with grade markdowns for incorrect informational content and specs. Meticulous
attention must be paid to meeting project specifications. All assignments, (including process stages), must be completed
and presented in the specified formats on the due dates given as indicated on the project and grade sheets. Missed
Exercise, Test will not be made up.
Meeting deadlines in this course is critical, as it is in the professional world. Projects and exercises not presented at the
start of the critique, or not 100% complete in any way are considered late.
NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS will be accepted. Late is defined as any submission in whole or in part after the start of the
class session the assignment is due. This is graphic design department policy and will be enforced by the Chair of the
Graphic Design department and Dean of the School of Communication Arts.
Assignments over one class late will not be accepted and will result F in failure for the project. The Grades will not be
negotiated.
You cannot substitute machine failure as an excuse for not producing the assignment for the scheduled critique. Note:
Loss of data is not an excuse; Back-ups of your work should be made after every session.
Points will be taken off the grade, if the in files missing or has opening error. Check files after submitting in the dropbox.
Please keep your cell phones on silent mode. Cell phone use, Facebook and Texting are prohibited during class and extra
help sessions, except in the breaks.

Course Materials:
Required Text(s):
Williamson, J. (2013, June 17). Dreamweaver CC Essential Training | Lynda.com Training. Retrieved
December 31, 2015, from
http://www.lynda.com/Dreamweaver-tutorials/Dreamweaver-CC-Essential-Training/124084-2.html
Lowery, J. (2012, August 21). Responsive Design with Dreamweaver CS6 | Lynda.com Training.
Retrieved December 31, 2015, from
http://www.lynda.com/Dreamweaver-tutorials/Responsive-Design-Dreamweaver-CS6/101071-2.html

Recommended Text(s):
Certificate in SEO Fundamentals, Photoshop for Web Design offered on Team Treehouse
Certifications. *Treehouse is similar to Lynda.com, but focusing solely on emerging media (mobile
development, web design, etc.), but does cost a fee to access.

Stylin' with CSS: A Designer's Guide (3rd Edition) by Charles Wyke-Smith / ISBN-13: 978-0321858474

Required Material(s):
Portable Hard-disk, and flash drives, sketchbook and pencils.

University Policies:
Academic Integrity:
Under all circumstances, students are expected to be honest in their dealings with faculty,
administrative staff and other students.
In class assignments, students must submit work that fairly and accurately reflects their level of
accomplishment. Any work that is not a product of the student's own efforts is considered dishonest.
Students must not engage in academic dishonesty; doing so can have serious consequences.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Cheating, which includes, but is not limited to, (a) the giving or receiving of any unauthorized
assistance in producing assignments or taking quizzes, tests or examinations; (b) dependence on the
aid of sources including technology beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers,
preparing reports, solving problems or carrying out other assignments; (c) the acquisition, without
permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the university faculty or
staff; or (d) the use of unauthorized assistance in the preparation of works of art.
2. Plagiarism, which includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the
published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. Plagiarism
also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged
in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.
3. Submission of the same work in two or more classes without prior written approval of the professors
of the classes involved.
4. Submission of any work not actually produced by the student submitting the work without full and
clear written acknowledgement of the actual author or creator of the work.
Attendance and Personal Conduct:
Only students who are properly registered for a course may attend and participate in that class.
Students are expected to attend and participate in all scheduled classes and examination periods.
Absences in excess of four class periods per quarter, or 20 percent of the course, result in the student
receiving a failing grade for the course. Tardiness, early departure or other time away from class in
excess of 15 minutes per class session is considered absence for the class session.
The student's appearance and conduct should be appropriate and should contribute to the academic
and professional atmosphere of SCAD. The university reserves the right at its sole discretion to
withdraw the privilege of enrollment from any student whose conduct is detrimental to the academic
environment or to the well-being of other students, faculty or staff members, or to the university
facilities.
Enrollment policies:
Students are responsible for assuring proper enrollment. See the SCAD catalog for information on
add/drop, withdrawals, incompletes, and academic standing.
Midterm Conference(s):
Each student enrolled in the course will have a midterm conference scheduled outside of class time

with the professor. Students are expected to keep this appointment.

Academic Support and Tutoring:
Academic support for students at all SCAD locations can be found in MySCAD, under the Student
Workspace tab, Department Directory, Academic Resources.
Course Evaluations:
SCAD offers students the opportunity to evaluate all scheduled courses during each quarter term.
Student feedback is essential to continuously improve academic services at SCAD. Evaluations will
be available the end of each quarter at the beginning of Week 8 and must be completed online by the
Monday following Week 10. A sample course evaluation for on-ground courses is available here.
In order to access course evaluations, the student should take the following steps:
1. Log on to MySCAD
2. Click on the Student Workspace Tab
3. Locate the Course Evaluations link under My Courses channel
4. This will bring up a page that says current surveys and lists all the courses that are currently
available for evaluation.
For more information or questions, contact us at evaluations@scad.edu.
Student Surveys:
The SCAD Student Survey and the Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory will both be
administered in Week 4 of spring quarter . SCAD's office of institutional effectiveness is responsible
for gathering and delivering survey results to decision-makers on campus. For more information or
questions, contact surveys@scad.edu.
Please refer to the college catalog or the student handbook for all college policies and procedures.
Student Surveys:
Students are strongly encouraged to provide feedback on their university experience through SCADs
institutional surveys. The SCAD Student Survey and the Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory
will both be administered in spring quarter. SCAD Student Survey will be emailed to every students
email account starting in Week 1 and will remain open through Week 6. The Noel-Levitz Student
Satisfaction Inventory will be administered on paper during Week 4 of spring quarter. SCADs office of
institutional effectiveness is responsible for gathering and delivering survey results to decision-makers
on campus. For more information or questions, contact us at surveys@scad.edu.