Unit 1: Design and Planning Basics

Unit 1 Overview:

This unit will give students a basic understanding of the beginning design principles that apply to general web design and development. It will also help them establish criteria for evaluating websites (their own as well as general sites on the Internet), and introduce them to the site planning concepts of developing a site plan and storyboarding.  Some of this unit can be done away from the computers if necessary.

Industry Skill Standards Covered in this Unit:

Critical Work Function/Key Activity:

A1: Gather data to identify customer requirements
Technical Knowledge:
Knowledge of customer interview techniques regarding requirements
Ability to identify key sources of information
Employability Skills:
Ability to identify and prioritize the need for data.
Ability to pose critical questions.
Ability to encourage cooperation.

A7: Create and define preliminary design/mockup
Technical Knowledge:
Knowledge of mockup development options and methodologies.
Ability to translate functional features into application/site design.
Employability Skills:
Ability to generate/evaluate solutions and devise/implement plan of action.
Ability to demonstrate creative thinking while problem solving.

A10: Develop project plan
Technical Knowledge:
Knowledge of functional and technical specifications, all data
models, site maps, assumptions, constraints and risks.
Employability Skills:
Ability to analyze organization of information.
Ability to summarize and integrate information.
Ability to work with minimal supervision and pay attention to detail.
Ability to assess individual knowledge/skills and analyze work assignments.

B1: Develop site map and application models
Technical Knowledge:
Ability to design content structure.
Knowledge of site mapping and information mapping techniques.

Knowledge of graphical user interface design.
Employability Skills:
Ability to analyze organization of information and transfer information between formats.
Ability to demonstrate creative thinking process while problem solving and apply creative solutions to new situations.

B3: Produce graphic and layout elements
Technical Knowledge:
Ability to design user-friendly sites and applications.
Knowledge of company requirements and standards.

Ability to develop aesthetically pleasing elements.
Employability Skills:
Ability to create original documents and synthesize information.
Ability to follow policies and procedures and work with minimal supervision.
Ability to interpret and clarify communication.
Ability to prioritize daily tasks and monitor adjust task sequence.

Learner Outcomes

The student will be able to:

• Analyze web pages for audience, purpose, message.
• Create a rubric to evaluate the effectiveness of web sites.
• Design a simple site using storyboarding and site mapping techniques.
• Understand basic color theory and optimal design theory for usability.
• Incorporate color theory and optimal design theory in a model web site.

EALRs

• Reading
  • The student reads different materials for a variety of purposes.

• Writing
  • The student writes in a variety of forms for different audiences and purposes
  • The student writes clearly and effectively.
  • The student analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of written work.
• Communication
  • The student communicates ideas clearly and effectively
  • The student uses communication strategies and skills to work effectively with others.
  • The student analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of formal and informal communication.

Module Titles:

Note: As students work through the modules and lessons in unit 1 some of the exercises may be applied to the Personal Web site.

• Module 1a: Day One Class Preparation
• Module 1: Web Site Evaluation and Rubric Creation
• Module 2: Color Theory and Web Design Usability
• Module 3: Initial Storyboarding and Site Mapping