Lesson 1: Culminating Web Design Projects

Overview:

At this point you are to combine your skills to create a working web site for a local school-based, non-profit or commercial organization. Either individually or as a group, you will follow the same steps and stages that you did for the mock web site project in Unit 5, but this time realizing that the final product is intended to be published on the internet.

Challenge:

To combine what you have learned in the preceding units on web site planning, design, and creation. To use all the skills and tools at your disposal to accomplish the creation of a site for a "real" client (site mapping, HTML coding, WYSIWYG programs, image manipulation, etc.)

Activities:

( Remember to keep written or electronic records of all work done on the project, especially in the planning and organizational steps.)

1. Find a school organization, local non-profit, or small commercial establishment that does not have a web presence or would like a complete remake of an existing site (no minor adjustment projects please). An initial contact with the client should determine that there is a need and whether it would be manageable for this project.
   • Additional concerns for the initial client contact:
     • Clearly state that the client that would not be obligated to accept and post the final site product if it is not exactly what they wanted/needed.
     • Clarify the scope of the site creation and that after initial bugs are worked out updating, other site management and hosting issues would be the client's responsibility.
     • Thank them for their time and let them know how you will be contacting them (by email, appointment, phone?) for the site planning interview.
2. Decide whether you want to work in a group or individually on this project. Be realistic about time constraints and individual strengths and weaknesses with the different aspects of the projects. If working as a group assign clear roles to each member of the group. They may be Photoshop expert, client contact, project manager, etc. Roles must be relatively equivalent and flexible.
3. After determining the site proposal and team write up a one paragraph proposal clearly outlining the organization, main client contact, team members and proposed team roles.
4. Present your written proposal to the instructor for a signature approval.
5. Beginning with the client interview clarify the purpose, audience and specific requirements for this site (This communication may be done with email if meeting face-to-face is problematic).
6. Remember to set up a folder on the public drive in which all group members have write permission.
7. Remember to check all restrictions concerning copyright issues, school and organization policies (most have clear web publishing policy statements available).
8. Document your daily work clearly in your biweekly reports.
9. Continue frequent client contact, informing them of changes and allowing for feedback at different stages of the site creation.
10. Plan for a "roll-out" during class when the project is ready to post on the internet.
    • The rollout must include:
      • presentation of the site to the instructor
      • presentation of documentation to the instructor
    • The rollout may also include:
      • involvement by the client
      • presentation of the site to the class

Assessment:

The culminating project will be assessed using the class-generated rubric. There may be an aspect of self and peer evaluation of the final product.