GDS 46

Web Design and Development 2 - Fall 23 - Section 74101

Weekly Instructions


Aug. 28 - Week 1

Topics: Introduction to the class

Assignments and Basic Information

Additional Info

Review CSS and HTML Basics

Dreamweaver

CSS Shapes

Sept. 4 - Week 2

Topics: The Web Design Process and some review of Flexbox, CSS Positioning, and Floats

Important Note: Adobe stopped supporting the Brackets code editor a while back. It is now an open source project, so you COULD use it for the the class, but I suggest you use VS Code going forward to do the coding in the class(download here). If you are used to Brackets, here is a video from the GDS 45 class on switching to VS Code from Brackets, and includes some useful VS Code extensions. VS Code and extensions change all the time, so things may change rapidly. VS Code has becomevery popular and seems to be the current standard. The videos in the class were done using different editors like Brackets, VS Code, and maybe others, but remember the code is the same. It's just a different editor.

Assignments

There is some review this week, as well as some new things. We'll be getting everybody up to speed on the Web Design Process, Flexbox, CSS Positioning and Floats.

The Web Design Process
Flexbox
Multicolumn Layout
  • Check out Multicolumn Layout as another method of creating columns
    • Page 420 of Learning Web Design has information on this technique
    • There is also a full article here
    • This is a pretty easy way to make text flow into columns, and can come in handy
CSS Positioning and Floats
  • Very Optional: Review Ch. 15 of Learning Web Design on Floats and CSS Positioning if you do not feel comfortable with them. Float based layouts are going away, but you MAY need to update a float based layout sometime, so it's good to know, and Positioning is used in specific instances, although not usually for an entire layout. Do the exercises in Ch. 15 if you want to practice CSS Positioning, and if you have not already looked at these. These exercises are optional, and are not to be turned in. The information on float based layouts is for reference only.
CSS Shapes
  • Look at the information in Ch. 15 of Learning Web Design on CSS shapes, which is pretty cool, although I'm not sure it is being used too much out in the wild... Yet.
Bio Project
  • Complete the Bio Page Project
    • See more details here
    • Here are example wireframes and other student work.
    • Extra credit if you use CSS Shapes on the assignment!
    • Don't forget to validate your assignment 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. Make any corrections necessary so you get the happy, green, OK message.
    • To turn in assignments with multiple files or folders, it works best if you put all files in a folder and zip the folder. 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. Then when you zip the folder, I will know it is yours. Don't rename any files of folders inside your site folder before sending, as that will probably break things. 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 the zip files into the drop box under the Projects module in Canvas.

Additional Info

Flexbox Resources

CSS Shapes

CSS Positioning Review

Very Optional Floats Review(For historical purposes only)

Sept. 11 - Week 3

Topics: Finishing Flexbox, Design Principals, Starting CSS Grid, Information Architecture and Photoshop Layer Comps

Assignments

Here are some more good videos on Flexbox, if you haven't seen them already
A little more Flexbox
  • Assignment:
    Watch the video on Cards with Flexbox - Duration 19:42
    • For this video, follow along with the video and recreate the page done in the video.
    • The start files are here
    • Drop your zipped site folder into the Canvas drop box in the Assignment module.
    • You can check the Canvas calendar for due dates.
  • Design Principals and Information Architecture
    Getting started with an Introduction to CSS Grid - we will start using it more next week
    Optional: Layer Comps in Photoshop
    • Optional: Check out this help page on Layer Comps in Photoshop
      • Layer comps can be good way to save multiple versions of a design in 1 file if you are using Photoshop.

    Additional Info

    More Information Architecture (from GDS 072)
    CSS Grid Resources
    Other Resources and Links

    Sept. 18 - Week 4

    Topics: CSS Grid, Media Queries and Photoshop Art Boards

    CSS Grid

    Assignments

    • Message Assignment: Log into Canvas, click on the discussions link and reply to the discussion "Well Designed Websites" with the URL of a site you think is well designed, and give us 3 reasons why. Also describe who you think the target audience is. Try to enter your first post by Friday, so everyone will have time to reply. Reply to 1 other person's post with your comment or opinion on their site by Monday.
    Media Queries
    CSS Grid
    Photoshop Art Boards
    Continue the Artist Project
    • See the requirements here
    • Don't procrastinate!
    • Wireframes are due soon. There are links on the project page to Figma(online app) and Sketch (mac only, unfortunately), which are popular design tools, that can also be used for wireframing. Figma would be great to use for the wireframes. If you use figma, you can share the wireframes with me instead of uploading them. You can share figma files by clicking the share button in the top right while in figma. See the video Introduction to Figma for Wireframing for tips on using figma.
      Here is the link to our Figma Team this semester. You shuld see a project there for Artist Project Wireframes.
    • Check the canvas Calendar for due dates.

    Sept. 25 - Week 5

    Topics: Figma and More CSS Grid

    Assignments

    Figma
    • Sign up for a Figma account if you haven't already.
      Use your Mission email address to sign up. It will be free :)
    • You can use figma for some things going forward like wireframes and/or comps.
    • Figma is covered extensively in GDS 072 Digital Imaging and User Interface Design, where there is a much more in depth look at it, and how it can be used for UI/UX. GDS 072 is part of our new User Experience and Interface Design Certificate.
    • If you haven't seen it, watch the Introduction to Figma video from GDS 045 - Duration 17:47
    • Figma does a great job of creating lots of video tutorials on how to use it. The Figma youtube channel is here. Take a look when you have time.
    CSS Grid
    Artist Project

    Oct. 2 - Week 6

    Topics: Responsive Web Design and More CSS Grid

    Responsive Web Design

    Assignments

    Artist Project

    Oct. 9 - Week 7

    Topics: More RWD Principals, Figma links, More CSS Grid, and Personal Project Intro

    More Responsive Web Design

    Links to resources and tutorials about Figma and Design

    Assignments

    • This week, choose at least 1 of the following 2 exercises to do. If you do both, 1 will be extra credit. It's important to know the material in the RWD Principles and Layout exercise, but it may be mostly review for you. The Cards with CSS Grid exercise lets you apply some of the things you have been doing in other exercises with CSS Grid. It's important to know the material in both videos, even if you don't do both exercises.
    • Assignment:
      More cards! Watch the video Cards with CSS Grid - Duration 34:43
    • Assignment:
      Watch the video RWD Principles and Layout - Duration 31:28
      • Note: This video covers some of the pricipals and techniques involved in responsive design, but there are many more. Obviously, flexbox, CSS Grid and other techniques also offer ways to make things 'responsive'
      • For this video, follow along with the video and recreate the page done in the video.
      • The start files are here
      • Drop your zipped site folder into the Canvas drop box in the Assignment module.
      • You can check the Canvas calendar for due dates.
    Start the Personal Project

    Additional Info

    More Responsive Web Design Resources
    Tools that can be used for creating comps(or wireframes). You probably already know this, but...

    Oct. 16 - Week 8

    Topics: CSS Subgrid and Basic Responsive Images

    Note: The Adobe Max online conference just happened, and it is free to watch the sessions. It has sessions on all areas of design. You can check out the Adobe Max Conference here.

    Subgrid

    Images and Responsive Images

    Continue the Personal Project

    Additional Info

    Responsive Images Articles
    Tools that can be used for outputting images in multiple sizes and formats
    Salaries and Jobs

    Oct. 23 - Week 9

    Topics: Advanced Responsive Images

    More Responsive Images

    • Optional: Images and File Types
      Duration 47:07
      • This would be good to look at if you don't feel like you know a lot about exporting images. This is s new, updated video from the beginning class, GDS 045.
      • The video shows how to export different types of images. Here are the files if you want to follow along.
    • Read pages 139-146(Ch. 7 section on Adding SVG Images), and check out Chapters 23, 24 and 25 in Learning Web Design
      • Pages 139-146(Ch. 7) cover using SVG Images on pages, which is becoming very popular
        • Do Exercise 7-2 to practice using SVG Images if you wish
      • Ch. 23 covers Web Image Basics. You probably know a lot of this already, but check it out to make sure you are comfortable with all the details.
        • You could do the exercises in Ch. 23 for practice, but you do not have to turn them in.
      • Ch. 24 covers Image Asset Production and has more information about producing responsive images.
        • Do Exercise 24-3 to practice optimizing images, but you do not have to turn this in.
      • Ch. 25 covers SVGs in depth
      • If you didn't already, make sure to look at the part of Ch. 7 in Learning Web Design on Responsive Image Markup. It's on page 146 of the printed book(if anyone has that). You could do exercise 7-3 for practice, but you don't have to turn it in. This content is the subject of this weeks exercise.
    • Assignment:
      Watch the video Advanced Responsive Images - Duration 38:22
    Continue the Personal Project

    Additional Info

    More Responsive Image Resources
    Using SVGs on the web
    Creating SVGs

    Oct.  30 - Week 10

    Topics: Responsive Typography, WebFonts, Responsive Navigation and Icon Fonts

    Responsive Typography

    Responsive Navigation

    Complete the Personal Project

    Additional Info

    Responsive Typography
    Responsive Navigation
    Icon Fonts
    Other Articles

    Nov. 6 - Week 11

    Topics: Bootstrap, Advanced Selectors, Git, Github, an extra credit project, and the Final Project! (Not all due at once ;)

    Bootstrap

    Advanced Selectors

    • Highly Suggested Reading: There is a lot of good information on advanced selectors in Ch. 6, CSS Selectors, Typography, and More in the book "Responsive Web Design with HTML5 and CSS - Fourth Edition".
    • Optional Exercise: Watch the video on Advanced Selectors - Duration 35:30
      • For this video, follow along with the video and recreate the page done in the video.
      • The start files are here
      • See Appendix C in Learning Web Design for a list of advanced selectors.
      • There is nothing to turn in for this optional exercise.
    • For beyond the basics information on selectors, check out the video CSS Selectors - beyond the very basics - Duration 18:46
    • Also from Kevin Powell, take a look at the video The new CSS pseudo-classes explained - :is() :where() :has() - Duration 13:49
      • These are even newer selectors
      • Some people call has() the parent selector. It's pretty cool stuff.
    • See more information and videos about advanced selectors in the Additional Info section

    Group Project

    • Start Group Project
      • See the requirements here
      • Group Project Wireframes Due Nov. 20
      • Group Project Prototype with Comps Due Nov. 27
      • Group Project Due for testing Dec. 8
      • Group Project Final Version with Beta Tests and Report Due Dec. 11
    • Note: These dates are on various days of the week, not once a week on Mondays.
    • Also see the Canvas Calendar for due dates
    • There is a discussion in Canvas listing the team members. Please respond there to let me know who is filling the different roles on the team.
    Git and Github CAN be used during production of the Final Project
    • Git
      • Git is a free and open source distributed version control system
    • Github
      • You can host and review code and manage projects
      • Read pages 581-588 in Learning Web Design for information on how to use Git and Github
    • Watch Git, GitHub, & GitHub Desktop for beginners - Duration 22:15, for a quick intro
    • Watch the video Intro to Git and GitHub - Duration 27:08
      • You don't have to use git or github for the final project, but it does allow for collaboration on code in a project. It does take a bit to learn though, so feel free not to use it right now.
      • You do not have to turn anything in for this video.

    Extra Credit Redesign Project

    Additional Info

    Bootstrap
    Accessibility
    Recommended tools for the Final Project
    • figma
      • You could do both wireframes and comps in figma
    • Invision
      • Good for testing and sharing prototypes
    • dropbox
      • Good for sharing large files
    • google docs
      • good for sharing text files and copy
    • monday
      • May be good for project management(haven't tried this one)
    Other Collaborative tools for Web Designers
    Advanced Selector Resources

    Nov. 13 - Week 12

    Topics: Tailwind CSS and CSS Transforms and Transitions

    Tailwind CSS

    CSS Transforms and Transitions

    • Take a look at Ch. 11, Transitions, Transformations, and Animations in the book "Responsive Web Design with HTML5 and CSS - Fourth Edition".
    • Optional: For another reference, read Ch. 18 of Learning Web Design on Transitions, Transforms, and Animation in Learning Web Design, 5th Edition
    • Check out the Animation Handbook from Invision in the weekly module
    • Optional: Do exercises 18-1 and 18-2 in Learning Web Design. They should be fun! You do not have to turn them in.
    • Exercise Option 2 for this week: Watch the video on CSS Transforms and Transitions - Duration 23:52
      • This is a new video for Fall 23, replacing an older version you MAY have seen in GDS 045.
      • For this video, you can follow along with the video and recreate the page done in the video.
      • The start files are here
      • Like option 1 above, even if you don't do this exercise, you might want to watch it (maybe at high speed) so you know about transforms and transitions, which are very useful (and fun).
    Continue Group Project

    Continue Extra Credit Redesign Project

    Additional Info

    Tailwind
    CSS Transforms and Transitions
    Layout

    Nov. 20 - Week 13

    Topics: CSS Animation, Introduction to Javascript and CSS Custom Properties

    Assignments

    • Update: I know you just turned in the wireframes for the final project, but if you used figma for the wireframes, please add 1 COPY of your file to the figma project here for Fall 23, so we can all see where you are. Do not put your working files there, only a copy of your wireframes as they are now. You will also put a COPY of the prototype there as well, unless you did not use figma for the prototype, but most probably did. Please label your files with versions and either wireframes or prototypes. Only 1 person needs to post the file. Thanks.
    • Assignment: Watch the video on Introduction to Animation on the Web - Duration 38:02
      • Assignment: For this video, follow along with the video and recreate the page done in the video.
      • The start files are here
      • Drop your zipped site folder into the Canvas drop box in the Assignment module.
    • In this class, I just wanted to give you a little intro to javascript, so that it is not completely unfamiliar. There is a dedicated javascript class(GDS 89) which covers it in much more detail. There is also GDS 089B, Javascript II and Web Development, for those who already feel famliar with Javascript. If you know HTML, CSS and Javascript well, you have the main skills to be a front-end web developer!
    • Read Chapter 21 in Learning Web Design on Introduction to Javascript.
    • Watch video on Intro to Javascript - Duration 33:32
      • Extra Credit Assignment: For this video, follow along with the video and recreate the page done in the video.
      • The start files are here
      • If you don't do the exercise, you should still know the basics of Javascript from the video
      • Drop your zipped site folder into the Canvas drop box in the Assignment module.
      • Again, this exercise is extra credit, but you should know the material.
    • Watch the Quick Tip video on CSS Custom Properties/CSS Variables - Duration 10:03
    • Optional: Watch the video on Intro to Jquery and Jquery UI in Dreamweaver - Duration 39:42
      • This is an older video, but Jquery UI is still in use and can do some cool things like tabbed content and accordians, similar to some of the bootstrap components.
      • There are no start files for this one. You start from scratch.
      • You DO NOT need to turn this in.
    • If you didn't look at this from way back in Week 4, you should check out Ten modern layouts in one line of CSS
    Continue Group Project

    Continue Extra Credit Redesign Project

    Additional Info

    Web Animation
    Layout
    Javascript
    Figma
    InVision
    Useful Techniques

    Nov. 27 - Week 14

    Topics: More Javascript, CSS Processors and the Parallax Effect

    More Javascript

    • Read Chapter 22 in Learning Web Design on Using Javascript.
    • Watch the video Javascript Characteristics and Objects - Duration 24:25
      • Assignment: For this video, follow along with the video and recreate the page done in the video.
      • The start files are here
      • Drop your zipped site folder into the Canvas drop box in the Assignment module.
    • Do exercise 21-2 in Learning Web Design for some more practice.

    CSS

    CSS Processors

    • CSS Processors like SASS, LESS and Stylus can speed up development with features like variables and nested rules. They are also used in CSS Frameworks like Bootstrap. They are a bit complicated and intended for serious front-end development, but feel free to dive in.
    • As CSS adds features, processors like Sass may be needed less. Check out the video CSS is getting better, but Sass is still relevant - Duration 18:41 for more information.
    • Read pages 572 - 578 on CSS Power Tools in Learning Web Design. This section is a good intro to CSS Processors.
    • Here is a nice short book on SASS from A Book Apart called SASS For Web Designers. They distibute a lot of books on coding for designers, so they are not too hard :)
    • SASS Basics/Documentation
    • See more in the Additional Info Section
    Continue Group Project

    Continue Extra Credit Redesign Project

    Additional Info

    More on CSS Processors
    Parallax Effect on Websites

    Dec. 4 - Week 15

    Topics: Javascript and User Testing

    Assignments

    Continue Group Project

    Beta test the site

    User Testing tools for Web Designers and Developers

    Complete Extra Credit Redesign Project

    Exit Survey

    • Take the class exit survey in the Exercises module for more extra credit.

    Dec. 11 - Week 16

    Topics: Final Projects Due and Final Exam

    Assignments

    • Final version of Group Project Due
    • 2 Beta Tests per person Due
    • 1 Beta test summary report per group due
    • Fill out the Final Project Peer Review Survey located in the Projects module in Canvas. This will be posted after the projects are turned in.

    Final Exam and other Information