COURSE DESCRIPTION: The course covers the production process involved in the creation of web sites around topics that vary each semester.  Process and techniques will be explored through work on a real-world production project. Students work cross platform with formats, imaging, interface design, branching and linking, cataloging and naming files,  and promotion. The end result is a collaboratively produced web site. We look for content from other classes and projects, and focus on rendering the content in the most appropriate ways for new media.

PREREQUISITE: 35-2535 Designing for the Web or Instructor Permission based on digital and computer experience and portfolio

OBJECTIVES:
-students apply, synthesize, and refine their computer skills
-students learn about production of collaborative projects (deadlines, keeping track of versions, critical paths, file management, etc.)
-students learn to produce collaboratively
-students become familar with the technical details of advanced digital media production, manipulation, authoring, and archiving.
 

COURSE RATIONALE: Students need the opportunity to apply skills they have learned in their artistic and technical classes in the real world. This class gives students the opportunity to integrate, synthesize, and apply  ideas from theory  with technical skills as they work in teams to produce an innovative web site. Students get to work on areas of special interest to them within a framework of deadlines and committments like that in the workplace. The group works with the instructor and client in a collaborative, workshop environment that mirrors the work environment and prepares students for internship and employment opportunities.

SUGGESTED TEXTS:
title: Flash 4 for Windows and Macintosh:Visual QuickStart Guide
author: By Katherine Ulrich
edition: 1999

title: Dreamweaver H.O.T.
author: By Lynda Weinman
edition: 1999

Additional readings and books: TBA

MATERIALS:
A  Zip disk and a print card are provided by the department after the add/drop period.
Additional print cards may be purchased.

GRADING POLICIES:
A professional attitude and approach toward all aspects of this course is expected. Specifically; class starts on time, and class attendance and participation are mandatory.  Un-excused absences and un-excused lateness will adversely effect your grade. Excused  and un-excused absences are at the discretion of the instructor. Please contact the instructor prior to class if you will be late or absent. The fourth absence- for any reason- constitutes a failing grade.  (Two late arrivals = 1 absence)  Assignments are expected on time ( late assignments will be graded down 1 grade per week late).  Adherence to the Student Code of Conduct listed on pages 12-13 of the Columbia College Student Handbook.

Grades are based on a system of personal growth within the following criteria; time and effort, interpretation of the assignment, aesthetics and technical expertise,  critique participation and  professional presentations.

DISTRIBUTION OF GRADE TO 100%:
Midterm
Final Exam
Participation
Assignments

GRADING SCALE
100 - 90 = A
90 - 80 = B
80 - 70 = C
70 - 60 = D
60 and below = F

CREDIT HOUR ASSIGNMENT: Students will be expected to be present in class meetings/workshops weekly (equivalent in hours to a 3 credit hour class) and will be expected to be working independently on the project throughout the week.

This syllabus is subject to change

Several computer labs are available for student use outside of class.  Classrooms are located on the 4th floor of the 623 South Wabash Building and the 2nd Floor of the 600 S. Michigan Bldg

Lab hours are:
Monday-Thursday  9AM-10PM
Friday   9AM-7PM
Saturday   9AM-5PM

COURSE BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESOURCE MATERIALS:

BOTS: THE ORIGI OF A NEW SPECIES
Leonard, Andrew

COMPUTERS AS THEATRE
Laurel, Brenda.

DYNAMICS IN DOCUMENT DESIGN
Shriver, Karen A.

THE ICON BOOK
Horton, William

ART IN THE AGE OF MECHANICAL REPRODUCTION
Benjamin, Walter

SYMBOL SOURCEBOOK
Dreyfuss, Henry

THE COMPLETE TYPOGRAPHER
Perforct, Christopher and Jeremy Austen

ABOUT FACE
Cooper, Alan

HYPERTEXT
Landow, George P.

DECONSTRUCTING WEB GRAPHICS
Weinman, Lynda

CREATIVE HTML DESIGN
Weinman, Lynda

COURSE OUTLINE
These are suggested topics and are subject to change

COURSE:       Web Design Production Workshop
WEEKS    TOPIC

Note: On one or two occasions during the first few weeks of class, we will meet with Makabe, the Artistic Director of OM-2 and some of the cast and crew.  The dates of these meetings TBA, they will probably occur at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

1 Project Introduction:
 

• Read the script for the Convulsions of Mr. K and the specs for the visual design and discuss ideas.
• View samples OM-2 videotape, OM-2 CD-ROM of images, and Museum of Contemporary Art web site

Technical Demo: Introduction to Flash
 

Homework: Work on visual design sketches to be presented next week for initial critique

2 Design discussion and revision
 

• Review and discuss design ideas.
• In teams, work on computer versions of visual designs

Technical Demo:  Flash Animation

Homework: Complete designs

3 Working with Client/ Additional revisions and run-through
 

• Review and discuss designs
• Assign revisions for final decision next week

4 Identity/Content Development

• Plan videotaping of OM-2 for rehearsals and interviews
• Discuss ideas for web site logo and color scheme designs
• Discuss major content areas for the 'Convulsions' site and divide into small groups for each content area

Homework: Create ten possible logo designs, formats, and color schemes for the site as a whole in small groups.

5 Identity II and OM-2 Performance

• Make final decision on identity.
• Review and discuss content material for each content area
• In teams, develop a modified design for each content area that works harmoniously with the main interface design.  You will create sketches and work on the computer

Homework: Attending at least one OM-2 performance and participating!  Create ten design and color scheme ideas for your content area in photoshop.  Be sure to be aware of color and resolution issues unique to the web.
 

6 Design Consistency/Continuity

• Make final decision on content area designs.
• Begin to scan and design pages for content material for each content area

Homework: Begin building pages and content

7 Production

• Continue to scan and design pages for content material for each content area

Homework: Continue building pages and content

8 Posting Pages/Midterm

• Post a significant amount of content for each content area for review by curators and user groups (other students)

• Review changes/revisions from curators
• Begin to revise pages for content material for each content area

10 Splash Page Designs

• Develop preliminary sketches for a splash page for the 'Convusions' site on browser templates and storyboard templates

11 Splash Page Designs II

• Make final decision on splash page designs.
• Continue to scan and design pages for content material for each content area

12 Design testing and Revision: View and discuss site and any last minute revisions.

13 Design testing and Revision: Continued work on revisions and post site for curator review.

14 Final Critiques

15 Final Critiques and wrap up