GDS 45 - Web Design - Online
Weekly Instructions
Fall 2020 - Section 74824 - Asynchronous

Aug. 31 - Week 1 Instructions:

  1. Welcome to the class!
  2. Note: If you have not done this already, try to figure out a regular(maybe daily)time when you can work on the class. It can help in online classes. Procrastinating is not advised ;)
    There are some other good tips for online learning here at
    8 STRATEGIES FOR GETTING THE MOST OUT OF AN ONLINE CLASS
  3. Login to Canvas (https://wvm.instructure.com) and download the syllabus in Canvas from the class home page near the top if you don't have it.
  4. Watch the video orientation. The current syllabus will be slightly different from the one in the video.
  5. See the class links sidebar on this page for Canvas and online learning related links.
  6. Read the General Class Information in Canvas (https://wvm.instructure.com). It may be slightly different than the video or syllabus.
  7. Please let me know if you are confused or having trouble with the material. Your first option is to post in the question discussion forum in Canvas. Click on Discussions on the left in Canvas to find the forum. If your question is more personal, you can message me through Canvas (https://wvm.instructure.com), by logging in, clicking on the class, clicking on the inbox link on the left, and creating a message. It's like email inside the class.
  8. Optional Office hours: Generally Mondays 4:30PM - 6:00PM and Tuesdays 9:00AM - 11:00AM through Zoom. Check the Announcements section in Canvas for links to the zoom office hours. You can talk to me live at those times to ask questions, etc.
  9. Assignment:
    Post in the     "Introductions" discussion forum in Canvas. Give a short introduction to yourself, and about your expectations for the class.     You can find the discussion forum under the Discussions link on the left or the Content Links module. I will check this to verify you are in the class. Make sure to reply to the post as soon as possible to avoid being dropped.
  10. Assignment - Please take the opening day survey in the week 1 module in Canvas.
  11. Mission College tutoring is now online, and there is tutoring for some of our classes if you need it.
  12. We do use photoshop a bit in the class. See the syllabus for more options, but as far as I know at this time, the best deal for the complete Adobe CC can currently be found for $40/semester at http://store.collegebuys.org/
    • Adobe software like Photoshop and Lightroom are usually available in the Academic Support Center on Campus(not currently available due to Covid-19). Check their web site for current hours. http://missioncollege.edu/depts/academic_support/
    • Please let me know if you do not have adequate computer hardware, internet access, or can't afford the $40 for the Adobe software.
  13. Read Chapters 1 and 2 in Learning Web Design. You should be able to get FREE ACCESS to the books from Oreilly Safari Books Online. See below.
  14. Read the file under Day 1 Terms in the week 1 module.
  15. Assignment 1 - First Page: Create your first web page by watching the video on Creating a basic web page. Please recreate the page exactly. In later assignments, you will have more creative freedom. Before you send me your files, always make sure to check your file for errors by submitting it to the W3C validation service at:
    http://validator.w3.org/. Click on Validate File by Upload near the top, then click the browse button, locate your file, and submit. It will point out some coding errors, if you have any. Another thing to do is to view the code source in Firefox(PC:control-U/Mac:command-u). Mistakes will often show up there in red text. After correcting any mistakes, submit your final files. Drop the file in the Assignment 1 drop box in Canvas in the weekly module. Include your name in the file name as in firstname_lastname_page1.html. Have fun! Check the calendar for due dates.

Sept. 7 - Week 2 Instructions:

  1. If you have not done this already, try to figure out a regular time when you can work on the class. It can help in online classes. There are some other good tips for online learning here at
    8 STRATEGIES FOR GETTING THE MOST OUT OF AN ONLINE CLASS
  2. Read Chapter 3 and 4 in Learning Web Design. Do the Ch. 4 exercises for practice if you wish. You do not have to turn these in.
  3. Read pages 1-7 in the Principles of Beautiful Web Design. It is about the web design process. If you are reading the online version, you can read up until the "Defining Good Design" heading.
  4. Optional:
    Take a look at this video on the web design process     and this page from GDS46 Web Design and Development 2 on the Web Design Process(youtube video).
  5. Assignment 2 - Text Formatting Tags: Create your second web page by watching the Text formatting tags video tutorial. Please recreate the page exactly. Don't forget to validate as you did with assignment 1 by checking the file at:
    http://validator.w3.org/
    Click on Validate File by Upload near the top, and then click the browse button, locate your file, and submit. Drop your file in the Assignment 2 drop box. Name the file page2.htm with your name in the file name as in firstname_lastname_page2.html. Check the calendar for due dates.

    Important note on the videos: Some videos and files are in html5, while some might occasionally be in XHTML. It's a good idea to know both syntaxes, since you will see both on the web and both are viable. They are not all that different. Check out page 761 of Learning Web Design for xhtml markup requirements. This is in Appendix D for those using the online version of the book.

Sept. 14 - Week 3 Instructions:

  1. Read Chapter 5 in Learning Web Design. It is about basic tags for text. Do the Ch. 5 exercises for practice if you wish. You do not have to turn these in.
  2. Read the rest of Chapter 1(you already read pages 1-7) and Ch. 2 of The Principles of Beautiful Web Design, 3rd Edition. They are about layout and color.
  3. Take a look at the file Dos and Don'ts of web design in the weekly module(Optional).
  4. You can also check out these articles (Optional):
    1. Biggest Mistakes in Web Design 1995-2015 - from Web Pages That Suck where you learn good web design
    2. Checklist of bad web design Part Two from Web Pages That Suck Learn good web design by looking at bad web design
  5. Watch the video on Web Design Mistakes(youtube video). Some of the featured awesome websites are linked below.
  6. Check out these example bad websites for things not to do.
    1. http://www.angelfire.com/super/badwebs/
    2. http://www.arngren.net/
    3. http://www.supervideo.com/
    4. http://www.gatesnfences.com/
    5. 20 Examples Of Bad Web Design
  7. Check out this site on Accessibility for Designers. Accessibility is very important, often deals with making sites easier to "see" for the vision impaired, and is mandatory on some some sites, such as government sites. Also see the section on "ONE WEB FOR ALL (ACCESSIBILITY)" in Chapter 3 of Learning Web Design.
  8. Find a website you think is poorly designed and talk about why you think it is poorly designed. Post/reply under the forum Poorly Designed Websites in the weekly module in Canvas. Try to post your first post by Friday, then comment on posts about websites posted by other students by the due date.
  9. Review pages 303-315 in Learning Web Design about color and the hexadecimal system. You can search for it in Ch. 13 if you are looking at the online version of the book. A bit of the same material is in Ch.2 of The principles of Beautiful Web Design.
  10. Watch the video on Color and Color Schemes.
    The sites below are in the video.
    1. http://www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-schemes.html
    2. https://color.adobe.com
      This is a cool color picker and theme collection from adobe.
    3. http://colorschemedesigner.com/
  11. Assignment 3 - Lists: Create a web page by watching the Lists, intro to colors, comments, and special characters video tutorial. The bullet3.png file needed for the page is in the weekly module and here. For this assignment, please recreate the page exactly. In later assignments, you will have more creative freedom. Drop your files into the Assignment 3 drop box. Don't forget to include the bullet3.png file with your submission. If you forget, I won't see it.

    To turn in assignments with multiple files or folders, it works best if you put all files in a folder and zip the folder. Canvas has changed how I receive files from students in submissions that are zipped. Because of this, it is important to name your folder correctly BEFORE you zip it to send, so I know who's folder it is. Please name you folder like this firstname_lastname_assignX where X is the assignment number. Then when you zip the folder, I will know it is yours.

    To zip the folder: To zip a folder on a PC, create the folder with your name on it like this firstname_lastname_assignX and put the files needed in it, then right click, select "send to," and finally "compresses (zipped) folder". On a mac, control click or right click on the folder and select compress. Remember to name the folder before compressing it, so I can see who's it is when it is uncompressed.
    1. Don't forget to zip your folder with your files(see above)
    2. Don't forget to validate your files BEFORE you send them at:
      http://validator.w3.org/
      This will affect your grades, as I will do it too, and see if you have any errors that show up. Check the calendar for due dates.
    3. Note: The dl tag in the video used to refer to a definition list. The meaning of the dl tag has been slightly modified to mean a description list in HTML5. Also, the dd tag now is a term description.
  12. Start Assignment 4 - Reading Summary which is:
    • Create 1 basic web page on your own with at least 6 different facts, opinions, or bits of information from the week 1 reading Ch 1-3 in Learning Web Design. Try to take at least 2 items from each chapter. Use the tags we we have gone over (html, head, body, h1, p, br, etc.). Check out Ch. 4 and 5 in Learning Web Design for help. There are samples to look at in the weekly module. Make sure to validate HTML at http://validator.w3.org/. You can validate CSS at http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/. You should validate both to see if you can catch errors.
      Note:The validators may give you multiple error messages for 1 mistake, so you may not have as many errors as you think.
      Here are some examples to look at.       They are also in the weekly module in Canvas.

      Requirements:
      You must use the following tags, elements, or css styles at least once.
      1. a heading, h1 for example
      2. blockquote
      3. strong
      4. background-color
      5. a list

Sept. 21 - Week 4 Instructions:

  1. Reading this week(I know I listed a lot, but do what you can when you have time):
    1. Important! Take a look at Ch. 11 of Learning Web Design for an intro to CSS.
    2. Take a good look at Chapters 1 and 2 of The Principles of Beautiful Web Design, 2nd Edition. They are about layout and color.
    3. For more detail and background, review Chapters 4 and 5 in Learning Web Design. Chapter 5 covers many of the text tags we have been using.
  2. Watch the video on HTML5 Semantic Elements. There is no assignment associated with this video, but the information could come up later...hint, hint ;)
  3. Optional: Learning Web Design exercises 11-1 and 11-2: Complete Exercises 11-1 and 11-2 from Learning Web Design. You do not have to turn this exercise in, but you do need the information for later assignments. All book related files can be downloaded from http://www.learningwebdesign.com
    Here is a link to a page on CSS
  4. Here are some good online references for CSS
  5. Assignment 5 - Basic Page with Containers: Follow along and create the page in the video GDES 45 Basic Page with HTML 5 Containers. You will also use the file you create as a starting point for later assignments. Don't forget to validate your file before you turn it in! http://validator.w3.org/
    • To turn in the assignment:
    • To turn in assignments with multiple files or folders, it works best if you put all files in a folder and zip the folder. Canvas has changed how I receive files from students in submissions that are zipped. Because of this, it is important to name your folder correctly BEFORE you zip it to send, so I know who's folder it is. Please name you folder like this firstname_lastname_assignX where X is the assignment number. Then when you zip the folder, I will know it is yours.

      To zip the folder: To zip a folder on a PC, create the folder with your name on it like this firstname_lastname_assignX and put the files needed in it, then right click, select "send to," and finally "compresses (zipped) folder". On a mac, control click or right click on the folder and select compress. Remember to name the folder before compressing it, so I can see who's it is when it is uncompressed.
    • Drop your zipped files into the Assignment drop box.
    • Check due dates on the calendar in Canvas.
  6. Finish Assignment 4 - Reading Summary which is:
    • Create 1 basic web page on your own with at least 6 different facts, opinions, or bits of information from the week 1 reading Ch 1-3 in Learning Web Design. Try to take at least 2 items from each chapter. Use the tags we we have gone over (html, head, body, h1, p, br, etc.). Check out Ch. 4 and 5 in Learning Web Design for help. There are samples to look at in the weekly module. Make sure to validate HTML at http://validator.w3.org/. You can validate CSS at http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/. You should validate both to see if you can catch errors.
      Note:The validators may give you multiple error messages for 1 mistake, so you may not have as many errors as you think.
      Here are some examples to look at.       They are also in the weekly module in Canvas.

      Requirements:
      You must use the following tags, elements, or css styles at least once.
      1. a heading, h1 for example
      2. blockquote
      3. strong
      4. background-color
      5. a list

Sept. 28 - Week 5 Instructions:

  1. Watch the video RGB and RGBa Color. There is no assignment to turn in for this video.
    The file in the lessons module on Color using the hexadecimal color or RGB, and background color transparency goes along with the video. Also look at CH. 13 and specifically page 271 of the printed version of Learning Web Design for a description of RGBa, which can be used to make your background colors partially transparent. Search for RGBa in the online version of the book.
  2. Reading this week: Review Chapters 6 in Learning Web Design on links. It will help on Assignment 6.
  3. Assignment 6 - Links and File Paths: Create 2 web pages by watching the Links and File Paths video. Recreate the site exactly as the one in the video. Chapter 6 in Learning Web Design also can help. Name the files as in the video. The names of your files must match the names in your links, or the links will not work.
    Make sure to check the code image in the weekly module for differences from the video since there may be a couple of code issues in the video.
    Always make sure to check your file for errors by submitting it to the W3C validation services at http://validator.w3.org/ and http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/
    • To turn in the assignment:
    • Before you zip the folder with your files, test the site before you send it make sure all the links work.
    • To turn in assignments with multiple files or folders, it works best if you put all files in a folder and zip the folder. Canvas has changed how I receive files from students in submissions that are zipped. Because of this, it is important to name your folder correctly BEFORE you zip it to send, so I know who's folder it is. Please name your folder like this firstname_lastname_assignX where X is the assignment number. Then when you zip the folder, I will know it is yours.

      To zip the folder: To zip a folder on a PC, create the folder with your name on it like this firstname_lastname_assignX and put the files needed in it, then right click, select "send to," and finally "compresses (zipped) folder". On a mac, control click or right click on the folder and select compress. Remember to name the folder before compressing it, so I can see who's it is when it is uncompressed.
    • Drop your zipped files into the Assignment drop box.
    • Check due dates on the calendar in Canvas.
  4. Check out this page on using the html 5 figure and figcaption tags to place a caption next to an image. Using these tags also gives you more tags to use as hooks for CSS styles. Click the Try it Yourself link near the top to see it in action.
    You can see another example here.
  5. Start Assignment 7 - Resume or Reading Summary. There are examples in the weekly module.
    Full requirements and instructions listed here    . Check due dates on the calendar.
    Note: The image of yourself is required, not optional    . Make sure to do the images exercise first so you know how to do it. The requirements page has been updated.
    If you have general questions, ask them in the discussion forum in Canvas.
  6. Don't forget, if you have questions, or just interesting links or observations, post them in the discussion forum in Canvas. It is part of your grade ;)

Oct. 5 - Week 6 Instructions:

  1. Watch the video on Locations for CSS and basic selectors. There is no assignment to turn in for this video. It should be a bit of a review. It can also help with the assignment with external style sheets.
  2. Watch this video on image file formats and review this web page on image file formats.
  3. Chapters 7 and 23-25 of Learning Web Design have more detail on images.
  4. Read Chapter 24 of Learning Web Design for more detail on optimizing images.
    • Do exercises 24-1 and 24-2 to practice image optimization.
    • You do not have to turn these in.
  5. Check out this page on scanning if you don't feel comfortable with scanning.
  6. Optional: Here is a video on scanning that might help too.
  7. Check out this page with a salary guide put out by The Creative Group. It has information about salaries for designers and developers. You can make money doing this stuff!
  8. Assignment 8 - Adding Images to a Web Page: Recreate the page in the video by watching the video Adding Images to a Web Page. Recreate the page like the one in the video, although you can use different images than the ones in the video. Chapter 7 in Learning Web Design also can help. Make sure to start with the valid links site files from Assignment 7, with corrections made if needed. Of course, always make sure to check your files for errors by submitting it to the W3C validation services at http://validator.w3.org/ and http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/
    • To turn in the assignment:
    • Before you zip the folder with your files, test the site before you send it make sure everything works, and validate the pages to catch errors.
    • Remember, to turn in assignments with multiple files or folders, it works best if you put all files in a folder and zip the folder. Also remember to name your folder correctly BEFORE you zip it to send, so I know who's folder it is. Please name your folder like this firstname_lastname_assignX where X is the assignment number. Then, when you zip the folder, I will know it is yours.

      To zip the folder: To zip a folder on a PC, create the folder with your name on it like this firstname_lastname_assignX and put the files needed in it, then right click, select "send to," and finally "compresses (zipped) folder". On a mac, control click or right click on the folder and select compress. Remember to name the folder before compressing it, so I can see who's it is when it is uncompressed.
    • Drop your zipped files into the Assignment drop box.
    • Check due dates on the calendar in Canvas.
  9. Finish Assignment 7 - Resume or Reading Summary. There are examples in the weekly module.
    Full requirements and instructions listed here    . Check due dates on the calendar.
    Note: The image of yourself is required, not optional    . Make sure to do the images exercise first so you know how to do it. The requirements page has been updated.
    If you have general questions, ask them in the discussion forum in Canvas.

Oct. 12 - Week 7 Instructions:

  1. Read Ch. 3 in The principles of Beautiful Web Design on texture.
  2. Be familiar with the information in Chapters 11 and Chapter 12 of Learning Web Design. They have more information on css and using css to format text.
  3. For practice, complete Exercises 12-1 through 12-6 from Learning Web Design. They are related to using selectors and formatting text which we covered. You do not have to turn in these files.
  4. Assignment 9 - Video quiz about CSS for text formatting: We are trying something different with this one. There is an interacive video in the weekly module and in the Edpuzzle link in Canvas on text formatting with CSS. The video has questions embedded in it. Answer the questions in the video, which will be graded. You do NOT have to do the follow-along part of the exercise, but you can if you want to. Use this start file which has much of the code for the page(right click to download) if you want to do the follow along exercise.
  5. Assignment 10 - Image preparation and optimization: Clean up and optimize the image_processing_start.psd image by following the procedure in the video Processing and Exporting an Image. The original image is here and in this week's lessons module. It will not display in Canvas, but you can click on the filename to download. Here is the webpage in the video with some general steps, but follow the order in the video. Drop your finished, optimized, image file into the Assignment drop box. You only need to submit the regular, full size optimized file, image_processing_2.jpg, from the video, not the smaller .5x version or the PSD file. Check due dates on the calendar.
  6. Review Chapters 7, 23 and 24 of Learning Web Design. They have more information on web graphics and how to optimize them.
  7. Assignment 11 - Background Images (Optional Extra Credit):
    Watch and follow along with the video on Background image placement to recreate the page. Download the start files here. Be sure to include all image files with your submission. The images will not show up for me unless you send it along with your html files. See page 324 of Learning Web Design for more information. Drop your files into the Assignment 11 drop box. This assignment is optional and is worth 5 points extra credit. Check due dates on the calendar.
  8. Discussion:
    Find a site on the web that uses background images in an interesting, creative way. In the discussion forum in the weekly module, post the URL of the site by Thursday, and tell us why you think it is interesting. Also comment on a site posted by someone else by Monday. The discussion forum is called "Sites with interesting use of background images".

Oct.19 - Week 8 Instructions:

  1. Check out this page using opacity. View the source to see how it works.
  2. Check out this page using attribute selectors. View the source to see how it works.
  3. Be familiar with Ch. 13 of Learning Web Design. It covers more selectors, gradient backgrounds, opacity, and other goodies. Pay special attention to the Opacity attribute on page 315 of the print version and the Attribute Selectors on page 323 of the print version.
  4. There is a file in the weekly module on how to use min-width and max-width to limit the possible widths of your design, and also how to center your design. It should be somewhat of a review of Assignment 5. It has comments to explain what's going on, and it could be very useful on some assignments, like assignment 13 ;)
  5. Optional: Watch the video on Tables : Create a web page like the one in the video lecture by watching the video tutorial Tables and Practice with Background Images. You can use the image shown in the video for background images, or one of your own. Download the image to use for the exercise here. Always make sure to validate on http://validator.w3.org/ and http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/. This exercise is optional, but some of the information may be on the final. There is nothing to turn in for this assignment.
    1. For more information on tables, read Chapter 8 of Learning Web Design.
  6. Optional: Watch the video on Adding Text to an Image in Photoshop.
    Here is the start file if you want to follow along. You do not have to turn anything in for this exercise.
  7. Watch the video on the CSS Box Model.
    Here are the files if you want to follow along.     It will help with layout, borders, etc.
  8. Be familiar with the information in Chapter 14 of Learning Web Design. It has more information on the css box model.
  9. Optional: Complete Exercises 14-1 through 14-3 from Learning Web Design. They are related to the CSS box model and borders. You do not have to turn in these files, but will help a lot on later assignments.
  10. Optional: CSS Floats - Recreate the page from the video CSS Floats Basics.
    Use these start files which have much of the code for the page(right click to download). The start file may be slightly different from the video, accounting for some errors that were corrected. Don't worry about it. This is an optional exercise, and you do not have to turn in these files.
  11. Assignment 12 - 2 Column Layout with floats and flexbox:
    Part 1: Watch the video on Basic 2 Column Responsive Layout.
    Here is the start file(right click to download). Recreate the page in the video using the start file. The CSS float video on the video page can help if you are confused about floats. You can use the finished version of this exercise or the basic 2 column layout exercise as a start for Assignment 13. Make sure to validate HTML and CSS. Drop your files into the Assignment drop box. (Check due dates on the calendar.)

    Part 2: After creating the 2 column layout using floats by following the video above, complete the Basic 2 Column Responsive Layout with Flexbox exercise. Turn in BOTH versions in your submission.
  12. Assignment: Take the Midpoint Survey in the weekly module

Oct. 26 - Week 9 Instructions:

  1. Office hours this week are slightly different - Mon 4:30PM - 6:00 and Thursday 10:30AM - 12:30PM
    (No Tuesday Hours)
  2. Watch the video on Basic Inline Responsive Images.
    • If you use narrow columns, like in the 2 column layout we did earlier, it can help prevent your images from leaking out of the columns.
    • There is no exercise due for this video.
  3. Make sure you are familiar with the information in Chapter 15 of Learning Web Design. It has more information on css positioning and CSS Floats. Doing the exercises in the chapter helps too, although it is not required.
  4. Watch the video on CSS Positioning.
    • Here is a page on CSS positioning mentioned in the video.
    • There is no exercise due for this video, but you do need to know the material.
    • Not in the video is sticky positioning, which makes the element change between relative and fixed. You can use it to make top navigation bars that do not scroll offscreen when the page is scrolled. Check it out in your Learning Web Design book and here.
  5. Watch this video on Using Web fonts. (There is a little surprise in this one. See if you can find it.) You do not have to turn anything in for this video, but it will help if you want to use custom web fonts. Feel free to use web fonts on Assignment 13, but it is not required.
  6. Here is an article on using Google Fonts, which is also covered in the video above.
  7. Start Assignment 13 - 2 Page Site: Create a 2 page web site about an item in the news. An item in the news would be something like elections, or a budget crisis. Create and use at least 1 "hero" image for the site. See this article for more info on "hero" images. Try to create a design that is both attractive visually and easy to use. For a layout, you can start with the basic templates we have done in class, GDES 45 Basic Page with HTML 5 Containers (youtube video) or Basic 2 Column Responsive Layout (youtube video), or, create one from scratch on your own. If you want to try to use more advanced CSS to layout the page, you can look ahead to Chapter 15-18 in Learning Web Design. However, we will not completely cover some of these techniques for CSS layout together until later. This assignment will be graded both on the requirements below and on the design.
    Use the file web_critique_criteria4_responsive_horizontal.pdf as a guide to help keep important questions in mind while creating your site.
    There are examples in the weekly module and here.     Remember, the images will not show up for me unless you send them along with your html files, so zip the whole folder with your site. Always make sure to validate on http://validator.w3.org/ before submitting. This is a longer term assignment. Check due dates on the calendar.
    1. Requirements:
    2. 2 linked web pages are required.
    3. Create and use at least 1 "hero" image.
      • It can be in the header or the top of the body.
      • It can be either an inline image or a background image.
      • It can be from a stock photography site.
      • Do not use an image as you found it. Resize and optimize the image as needed.
    4. Use at least one other inline image in the content area. Remember to optimize your images. See Ch. 24 of Learning Web Design for more information on optimization.
    5. Use at least 1 background image(see Ch. 13 of Learning Web Design and the Background image placement video more info on positioning background images will be covered soon)
    6. Put most(or all) of your CSS styles in an external style sheet, and use external styles for most of your styles. See page 348 of Learning Web Design for and the Locations for CSS and basic selectors video for info on external style sheets.
  8. Assignment: Take the Midterm Quiz in the Weekly module in Canvas.
    • This quiz is open book, open note and open internet.
    • Do NOT use other people as a resource however, so take the quiz by yourself. Thanks.
    • You get one attempt.
    • Good luck(it will be easy)!

Nov. 2 - Week 10 Instructions:

  1. Read Ch. 4 in The Principles of Beautiful Web Design on typography.
  2. Make sure to check your sites (like Assignment 13) in mobile design modes in browsers using the built in browser tools, although we haven't done a lot of Responsive Web Design yet, except for changing the number of columns, and using basic responsive images.
  3. Finish Assignment 13 from Week 3(See Week 9 above)
  4. Watch the video lecture on Creating Equal Height Boxes and Cards. There is no assignment for this video(yay!), but some information may be on the final exam(boo!). Here are the files if you want to follow along.
  5. There is an optional video on Photoshop Basics for beginners here..
    It could help with Assignment 14.
  6. Watch the video on Creating an animated gif from a video.
  7. Watch the video on Creating movement in animated gifs with Photoshop, and follow along using the start files. Another demo is below on a different way to do the assignment. Both of these videos will help with Assignment 14. Do not duplicate any of the demo examples. You do not have to turn in this practice example.
  8. Watch the video on Slideshow style animated gifs in Photoshop, and follow along using the start files.Another demo is below on a different way to do the assignment. Both of these videos will help with Assignment 14. Do not duplicate any of the demo examples. You do not have to turn in this practice example.
  9. Assignment 14 - Creating an Animated Gif: Your assignment is to create your own animated gif using Photoshop that will promote a product for sale. Do not recreate the exact animation from the practice videos, and do not create a gif from a video as in the other video. You can also look at the animated_gifs.pdf file in the weekly module, and Photoshop help under animation for tips. The requirements are below. There are samples to view in the weekly module. Drop your psd of your file and the final gif file into the Assignment 14 drop box. (Check due dates on the calendar.)

Nov. 9 - Week 11 Instructions:

  1. Make sure you have read Ch. 4 in The Principles of Beautiful Web Design on typography.
  2. Assignment 15: Using the file web_critique_criteria4_responsive_horizontal.pdf as a guide, evaluate another student's Assignment 13(2 page site) submission. The critique help file is in the weekly module. Here is the link to the projects submitted. There are instructions in the Assignment 15 forum on how to dowload folders if you have trouble. Critique the person's submission who is below yours. If you are at the bottom of the list, do the person's at the top. Look at their pages and come up with comments, observations or suggestions to give them feedback on their design. The outline of what to comment on is in the discussion. The idea is to help them see the design with a fresh perspective, and improve their future designs. Again, you can use the file web_critique_criteria4_responsive_horizontal.pdf to help with ideas of things to talk about. Post your comments in the Assign. 15: Discussion Forum for critique of Assign. 13 in the weekly module. Make sure to say in your post title who's pages you are evaluating. You can also take a look at other submissions to see what other students did. (Check due dates on the calendar.)
  3. Check out this article if you are interested.
    This is how you’re going to become a UX designer
  4. Create a free account at figma.com. You can use it to do wireframes for the final project. Here is the video Introduction to Figma for Wireframing.
  5. Get a free upgraded invision account to use to create prototypes for later projects.
  6. Write a post about something interesting you learned from Ch. 4 in The Principles of Beautiful Web Design, and post it in the discussion forum called "Post on Chapter 4 here", which is in the weekly module. Also, comment on at least one other person's post.
  7. Check out the first half of CH. 16 in Learning Web Design on Flexbox. We will be using flexbox a bit going forward for layout. Look at Exercise 16-1 for an example of using flexbox to create a navigation bar.
  8. Assignment 16(Extra Credit) - Navigation Bars 1:
    Watch the video Navigation bars 1.
    Here is the start file(right click to download). Recreate the page in the video using the start file. Please recreate the page exactly. Make sure to validate as always. Drop your files into the Assignment drop box. (Check due dates on the Canvas calendar.) This exercise is Extra Credit. Even if you don't turn it in, it would be a good idea to watch it, since the information will be usefull later:)
  9. Optional: Check out flexbox.io for more videos on Flexbox, which is becoming more popular for layout.
  10. Final Project: Begin Final Project.
    Make sure to check requirements and specifications in the project description(click here for description). Watch the video description here and on the video page.
    See samples of comps, creative briefs and final projects in the weekly module. There is a drop box for the comps or briefs in the lessons module. Don't worry about Beta Testing, although it is a great idea to show your design to others throughout the design process to get feedback from fresh eyes. (Check due dates on the calendar.) See assignment 17 below for an assignment related to the final project.
  11. Optional:Check out the video on using browser tools and browser extensions to verify contrast is ok on your pages, so your text is readable to ALL your users.
  12. Start Assignment 17(Part of the Final Project): Turn in a Creative Brief, at least 5 Wireframes, OR at least 3 Comps for the final Project.

Nov. 16 - Week 12 Instructions:

  1. Be sure to check the calendar in Canvas for due dates this week as some things are NOT due on Monday.
  2. Check out the typography links in the sidebar for more info on typography, especially the first one.
  3. Make sure to read Chapter 16 of Learning Web Design, especially the first half on Flexbox. You might want to go through exercises 16-1 to 16-3, which would probably help with the final project. You do not have to turn these in though. BTW, we go over CSS Grid, which is the second part of the chapter, in the intermediate class. It is the wave of the future!
  4. Download this bonus chapter on using floats for layout if you want to use floats on your final project. It has some templates that could help you. As of now, floats are going away as a method of layout, but they are still all over the web. They are slowly being replaced by flexbox, CSS Grid and other newer layout techniques. You are welcome to use Flexbox or CSS Grid on the project, but we will not be getting to CSS Grid in this class.
    Detailed information on CSS Grid is in Learning Web Design Ch. 16. It is covered in the GDS 46 Web Design and Development 2 class.
  5. Optional:
    For the basics on using floats for layout, Watch the video Page Layout with Floats - Basics. It covers the basics of floats for layouts.
  6. Optional:
    Watch the video Page Layout with Floats - Example Fixed Layout. This is a slightly older video on how to create a fixed layout with Floats. Use this start file(right click to download) if you want to follow along.
  7. Optional:
    Watch this video on Media Queries. We used them a bit in some of the videos on layouts, and will use them more this week. The information will help with Assignment 18 and probably your Final Project. Download the source files here and follow along with the video if you wish. Dreamweaver is used in the video, but that is not important.
  8. To become familiar with Flexbox, watch this video on Display Options and Flexbox. It is a little advanced, but it will help with the exercise from this week which uses Flexbox. Download the source files here and follow along with the video if you wish. You do not have to turn this page in. Dreamweaver is also used in the video, but it can be done in any editor.
  9. Finish Assignment 17: Turn in a Creative Brief, at least 5 Wireframes, OR at least 3 Comps for the final Project.
  10. Assignment 17.5(Part of the Final Project): Create a prototype of your Final Project site using invision and wireframes(from mybalsamiq, figma, etc). or comps(from photoshop, sketch, etc).
  11. Assignment 18 - Page Layout with Flexbox: Create a web page by watching the video tutorial on Responsive Layout with Flexbox. Please recreate the page exactly. Use this start file(right click to download). Drop your finished file into the Assignment 18 drop box. Make sure to validate as always. You can validate CSS here. Validate HTML here(Check due dates on the calendar.
  12. All 5 videos can help with the final project page layout, but you are only required to watch Display Options and Flexbox and Responsive Layout with Flexbox.
  13. Continue Final Project: Final Project. Make sure to check requirements and specifications in the project description(click here for description). There is a video description of the assignment on the video page. See samples of comps, creative briefs and final projects in the weekly module. There is a drop box for the comps, wireframes or or briefs in the lessons module. Don't worry about Beta Testing, although it is a great idea to show your design to others throughout the design process to get feedback from fresh eyes. Don't forget to validate HTML and CSS at http://validator.w3.org/ and http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/. (Check due dates on the calendar.)(Check due dates on the calendar.)

Nov. 23 - Week 13 Instructions:

  1. We are getting near the end of the class, and some great work is being done. I know this class has been fast, especially considering all that's happening in the world, so quite a few of the exercises are extra credit for those who have time and want to dig in, but I do want you all to have time to focus on the final project.
  2. Review the video lecture on Creating Equal Height Boxes and Cards if it will help you with the final project. It may be a bit advanced. Here are the files if you want to follow along.
  3. Look at UX Design Patterns - this can help with design ideas for projects
  4. Check out the article - The Evolution of the Flat Design Revolution
  5. Check out the article - The history of flat design: How efficiency and minimalism turned the digital world flat
  6. Check out Chapter 9 of Learning Web Design. It has more information on Forms.
  7. Assignment 19 - Creating html Forms: Create 1 web page by watching the video tutorial on Creating html Formsand duplicating the procedure. Use this start file(right click to download). Recreate the page exactly. Drop your file into the Assignment 19 drop box. Make sure to validate HTML using http://validator.w3.org/ and CSS with http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/ (Check due dates on the calendar.)
  8. This is Optional/Extra Credit. You should know the material to create the required form for the final project, but you do not need to turn this in.
    Assignment 20:Watch the video on Styling html Forms. Recreate the page exactly starting with your assignment 19 ending file. Chapter 19 of Learning Web Design has more information on styling forms. Drop your file into the Assignment 20 drop box. Make sure to validate HTML using http://validator.w3.org/ and CSS with http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/ (Check due dates on the calendar.)
  9. Optional(No points): All of you probably have to fill out forms often online. Post a screenshot or URL of at least one good or badly designed form in the discussion forum called "Form Experiences" by Thursday, and tell us why you think it's good or bad. Comment on the post of at least one other student by the Due Date. It is in the weekly module.
  10. Optional(No points): You can leave constructive feedback for other students in the invision prototypes links in the Assignment 17.5 discussion forum. You just log into your invision account to leave comments in other invision prototypes. It's not required, but is nice :)
  11. Continue Final Project. Make sure to check requirements and specifications in the project description(click here for description). There is a video description of the assignment on the video page. See samples of comps, creative briefs and final projects in the weekly module. There is a drop box for the comps or briefs in the lessons module. Don't worry about Beta Testing, although it is a great idea to show your design to others throughout the design process to get feedback from fresh eyes. The dropbox is under the lessons link. Don't forget to validate HTML and CSS at http://validator.w3.org/ and http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/. (Check due dates on the calendar.)

Nov. 30 - Week 14 Instructions:

  1. Here are some links that might be helpful
  2. Check out Chapter 16 on CSS Layout with Flexbox and Grid, and Chapter 17 on Responsive Web Design. This can help with the Final Project
    1. You have already used Flexbox and done some responsive web design on exercises 16 and 18. I am not requiring any more assignments on these areas right now, since you have already done a lot in this class :) However, CSS Grid is the next frontier in CSS Layout, and is just now starting to be used in the wild, so it would be good to start getting familiar with it.
    2. Optional:Work through the exercises in those Chapters to become more familiar with the techniques.
    3. There are good intro videos on CSS Grid here
    4. Here is a page(still in development) on CSS Grid.
  3. Check out Ch. 18 of Learning Web Design on Transitions, Transforms, and Animation
  4. Optional: Do exercises 18-1 and 18-2 in Learning Web Design. They should be fun! You do not have to turn these in.
  5. Check out the Animation Handbook from Invision in the weekly module.
  6. This is Optional/Extra Credit. Assignment 21: Watch the video on Intro to CSS Transforms and Transitions - Duration 37:28
    • Assignment: For this video, follow along with the video and recreate the page done in the video.
    • The video uses dreamweaver to code the page, but brackets or any editor should be fine.
    • Feel free to not include the vendor prefix code versions after the first one(You will know what I mean when you see it). The CSS is now well supported.
    • The start files are here
    • Drop your zipped site folder into the Canvas drop box in the Weekly module.
  7. Watch the short video on Rounded Images with CSS - Quick Tip. There is no assignment for this video(too easy), but some information may be on the final exam. It might help with your projects. Here is the file if you want to download it.
  8. Watch the short video on CSS Gradients - Quick Tip. There is also no assignment for this video(also too easy), but some information may be on the final exam. It can also help with your projects. Here are the files if you want to download them.
  9. Complete the Final Project. Make sure to check requirements and specifications in the project description(click here for description). There is a video description of the assignment on the video page. See samples of comps, creative briefs and final projects in the weekly module. There is a drop box for the comps or briefs in the lessons module. Don't worry about Beta Testing, although it is a great idea to show your design to others throughout the design process to get feedback from fresh eyes. The dropbox is under the lessons link. Don't forget to validate HTML and CSS at http://validator.w3.org/ and http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/. (Check due dates on the calendar.)
  10. Usability Testing: There is no formal beta test on the Final Project required this semester, although it is a good idea to show your designs to other people throughout the design process to see ways to improve your design.
    You can also use this form for ideas on what to ask.
    Also, check out the following links to learn about usability testing. I would especially look at the Steve Krug Video and book below.

    Optional Assignment: Informal User Testing    :
    After looking at some of the information below on User Testing, ask someone to take a look at your site in progress and give you feedback. Post at least one thing you learned in the discussion forum titled "Feedback from informal user testing"

    Usability Testing videos and links

    User Testing tools for Web Designers and Developers

Dec. 7 and Dec. 14 - Weeks 15 and 16 Instructions:

  1. Watch the short video on Rotating Web Elements - Quick Tip. There is no assignment for this video(too fun), but some information may be on the final exam. It could also help with your projects. Here are the files if you want to follow along.
  2. Watch the short video on CSS Opacity vs RGBA - Quick Tip. There is no assignment for this short video(nice teacher), but some information may be on the final exam. It could perhaps help with your projects. Here are the files if you want to follow along.
  3. Review Chapter 19 in Learning Web Design. It has more information on CSS techniques like image replacement and CSS sprites.
  4. Optional - Watch the video on CSS Techniques and Image Maps. There is also no assignment for this video, but check out the last part about CSS Transforms and Transitions. Here are the files if you want to download them.
  5. Watch the video lecture on embedding Audio and Video. There is no assignment for this video(yay again!), but some information may be on the final exam(boo again!).
    1. See the page on audio embedding
    2. See the page on video embedding
  6. Assignment 22(The last one!):
    Using the file web_critique_criteria4_responsive_horizontal.pdf as a guide, evaluate another student's Final Project in the Assignment 21 Discussion Forum.
    After the due date for the final project, use the same procedure as assignment 15 to critique some else's website. Here is the link to the projects. They are numbered. Critique the persons submission who is in the folder number after yours. If you are at the bottom of the list, do the person's at the top. You may need to click the download button in the dropbox window to download the folder for each website, and then open them on your own computer. Look at their pages and try to address all the areas on the critique file with observations or suggestions to give them feedback on their design. The idea is to help them see the design with a fresh perspective, and improve their future designs. Make sure to say in your post title who's pages you are evaluating. You can also post comments about other projects in the folder. (Check due dates on the calendar.)
  7. Watch the video lecture Web hosting and FTP programs. There is no assignment for this video, although it will help with the extra credit video assignment below. The interface for 000webhost has changed, but I think you can figure it out ;)
  8. Extra Credit Assignment: After watching the videos on video embedding and hosting, create a page with a video that has you in it. This is a challenge where you will need to figure out a few things on your own.
    • You will need to use a phone or other camera to shoot the video.
    • Transfer the file to your computer by email, google drive, dropbox, etc.
    • You will need a free hosting account from somewhere like 000webhost.com
    • You can use VLC, handbrake or any other app to convert the video to the required file types(see below).
    • Embed a video on a web page with h.264/mp4 compression
    • Use the html5 video tag as in the example page.
    • You do not need anything else on the page beyond the video.
    • Post the URL of the page in the discussion forum called Extra Credit Video Page
  9. Take the class exit survey in the weekly module for more extra credit.
  10. Check out the final exam info below.
  11. Any late assignments must be turned in by Dec. 18.
  12. If you haven't already, take a look at the Web Design Certificate and the Web Developer Certificate on the GDS Website. We have classes on Javascript Wordpress, Photoshop and more.
  13. Follow us on Instagram at:
    https://www.instagram.com/designatmission/
  14. We are on Twitter too. https://twitter.com/designatmission
  15. Make sure to like our facebook page(if anybody still does that) at http://www.facebook.com/missioncollegedesign.
  16. Take the Final Exam.
  17. Thanks for taking the class, and I hope you enjoyed it.

  18. The Final Exam

    • The Final Exam will be taken in Canvas between Thursday, Dec. 17 at 6AM and Friday, Dec. 18 at 6AM(open for 24 hours). You can take it at any time in that time window. Let me know if you cannot take it in that period.
    • The test is open book and open internet, but it is timed(2 hours from when you start)!
    • Do NOT colloborate on the exam or get help from another person.
    • There are 60 questions.
    • The questions are multiple choice, matching and true false.
    • The questions will cover information found in the videos, exercises, and files used throughout the course, mostly from teh videos.
    • Important note: There probably are questions on the exam that were from videos marked "Optional".
    • Login to Canvas and look under the Modules link for the exam and instructions.
    • You have 2 hours to complete the exam.
    • Click the submit button only when you are finished.