Introduction
In this lesson you will learn about each of the units within this course.
This lesson should take you approximately 30 minutes.
HTML/XHTML | Cascading Style Sheets | Graphic Design | Multimedia | Interface Design | Site Developement
Introduction
In this course you will have the opportunity to learn about XHTML, style sheets, graphic design, multimedia and interface design.
As web authors, learning to write (X)HTML and CSS code is an essential skill. Learning this coding can be really fun if you think of it as a puzzle that you have to solve. Each time you learn something new; you can instantly check it with your web browser to see how your new code has changed the look and feel of your page.
The web is full of great tutorials. You will find some of the best listed at the bottom of this page. The suggested textbook "Learning Web Design" by Jennifer Niederst Robbins is an excellent resource because of the clear and simple layout of the chapters and the examples. We will be using the books companion web site at http://www.learningwebdesign.com.
The World Wide Web Consortium(W3C) is the organization that oversees the development of web technologies. Our other primary source of information will be the W3schools web site at http://www.w3schools.com.
Of course this site will provided you with all the information, great interactive tutorials and activities you need to learn this material. Make these sites favorites in your browser.
HTML/XHTML
HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is the code that browsers use to view text and images on a web page. The latest version is XHTML. You can find out more from the organization that controls the code at The World Wide Web Consortium's web site.
Learning the basics of (X)HTML is the core of this course. XHTML (eXtensible HTML) is essentially the same language with stricter syntax rules. By developing a solid foundation you will be able to create an entire web site with nothing more that a free text editor (like notepad or simple text). You will be able to look at the code behind just about any web page to learn more about the web site and to see how the author created it. If you ever do work with an HTML editor, you will have greater control and understanding of the program and how to get the most out of it.
Remember: Absolutely no HTML editors are allowed! You can only use a text editor to do this work, such as Notepad or Simple Text.
Here is a little tutorial on how to get started using Tutorial>> Notepad.
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CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
Modern web design uses cascading style sheets to control the presentation or how your web page looks. It is now the way you format text and layout your page. It can also automate production because you can use a single style sheet to format an entire site. In the old web foudations class we had one brief lesson on CSS within the design unit and now it has it own unit with multiple lessons.
Graphic Design
Web pages are a visual medium and designers need to pay attention to the colors, type, layout and graphics they use. We will learn about four major design concepts: proximity, alignment, repetion and contrast. We will also learn to use Adobe Photoshop and Fireworks to create and optimize graphics for our web pages.
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Multimedia
More and more web sites are using multimedia elements such as video, audio and animation to attract viewers to their sites. You will have the opportunity to create, edit and embed some examples of all three of these multimedia elements into your web pages.
Interface Design
Interface design is concerned with how the page works. We will look at navigation strategies, page layout and organization, as well as information architecture.
Site Development
The final project in the class will be to work with a client (local business) to design and develop a simple web site. You will work with this person to conceptualize the site, organize the content and develop a "look and feel". You will create a prototype that you and your client can test it on the web.
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Activity
Go to the "Files" folder in the Unit 02: Getting Started folder and download the "Introduction Activity" file to your computer or network folder.
Turn it in: Answered all the questions using correct spelling and good grammar/puncuation. Make sure to include a heading on the document and name the file lastname_introduction_activity.doc. Of course you will substitute "lastname" for your real last name. For example, I would use "dockery_introduction_activity.doc." Then attach the file to an email and send it to your instructor.
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