Course Description

This online course is designed to provide the necessary skills and training for designing a website using a graphics program. Learn the principles of web design to create or modify your current site. This online class focuses on layout, texture, typography, imagery, color and creating a final composition that will be critiqued by your peers in the class. You should be familiar with a graphics program (such as Photoshop or PSP) and have basic skills in HTML (in order to post your work to a website). HTML will not be covered in this class. You will have a completed composition at the end of this course. This is a 6 week, self-paced, online course. If you need additional help understanding the material presented, you can communicate with the instructor and fellow classmates. The instructor will monitor and track your progress throughout the class. LVS Online offers many wonderful learning tools to help you get the most out of your online course, including an online portfolio service that manages all your course registrations, certificate of completion option, a class discussion board to interact with your instructor and fellow classmates, free hosting account, and a student upload area. LVS is a Corel Training Partner. LVS students may purchase Corel products at a significant savings. Follow this link for details. LVS students are also eligible take advantage of special offers made available by famous software developers such as Andromeda, AV Bros, Extensis, Harry Heim, namesuppressed, Nik Multimedia, and Ulead. Details are provided in the classinfo link found in the confirmation of registration. If you would like to receive more information regarding this course, click on the "Contact Us" link in the Information section and we'll try to answer any of your questions within the day.

Course Requirements

At least basic knowledge of X/HTML as HTML is not taught in this class. If you need to learn how to create a web page, enroll in the Build Your Website Online Class first. Knowledge of a graphics program such as Photoshop or PSP. Homework must be reviewed by the instructor in order to earn a certificate. Students have the option of using either the Student Upload Area or free web hosting made available for LVS students. Details are provided in the classroom. If you prefer to use your own web space, you must know how to upload your files to a server. Free tutorials are available: Basic HTML Page WS_FTP SmartFTP There may be Zip files provided to complete many of the weekly exercises. WinZip, PKZip, Windows Compression or a similar program is required to unzip these files. Here are a couple free tutorials available at LVS which may be helpful to you: Winzip Tutorial Here Windows Compression Students must have a working knowledge of their operating system, especially: How to create and name new folders How to locate files How to open and save files Here are a few free tutorials available at LVS which may be helpful to you: PC Users: Free Vista Class Free Windows Class Directory Structure Tutorial Mac Users: Basic Computer File Systems Tutorial (Mac) All lessons are available in PDF format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view/print the lessons. Plan to devote 3 - 4 hours per week on the lesson and assignment.

Course Prerequisites

Class Level- Intermediate due to the fact that students must have knowledge of X/HTML and a graphics program to take this class.

Course Syllabus

Lesson 1 Layout Lesson 2 Texture Lesson 3 Typography Lesson 4 Imagery Lesson 5 Color Lesson 6 Final composition and peer reviews

Course Excerpt

Anyone can come up with a design that works well and looks good. All it takes is a little practice and a working knowledge of some basic layout principles. Let’s get started with the basics and soon you will have the foundation necessary to design high quality web sites. For most people, including myself, the most difficult part of the design process is getting started. So,where do you start? The first thing you need to do is get input from your client. You need to ask key questions about the business that will help you to determine a starting point for your design. We will go into specific questions you can ask in the upcoming sections of this lesson. In this course we will be working toward a completed comp, but first let's start with the definition of a comp. A comp (short for composition layout) is the page layout of a design showing the relative positions of text and illustrations before the specific content of those elements has been decided on, as a rough draft of the final layout in which to build around. The comp may include stock photography, clip art, or other found material that gives an idea of what should be visually communicated. Continued... Please note: Lessons provide step-by-step instructions with detailed screen captures.

Course Goals

To understand the concepts of web design and how to apply them to build a high-quality design.

Course Reviews

New Class Sept '09 More...