1. MC435: Web Design Learning outcomes
Module Leader At the end of this module students should be able to:
Paul Bradshaw (paul.bradshaw@uce.ac.uk) 0121 331 5367 1. Plan, research and propose a website for a particular client;
Delivery: Scott Keegan 2. Manage, design and author a website for a particular client;
3. Critically assess a website with reference to issues of
accessibility and web standards
Module Synopsis
This module aims to familiarise students with the web design process from
planning and pitching to design and post-production, as well as Syllabus
considering accessibility and usability issues.
The weekly pattern for the module looks like this:
You will learn what elements to consider when planning a website, how to
design a site using Dreamweaver, principles of screen design, and the Workshops: Group A: Tuesdays 2pm – 5pm B225 3 hrs
importance of World Wide Web standards. You will be introduced to basic Group B: Wednesdays 2pm – 5pm B225 3 hrs
HTML, XHTML and CSS for solving bugs and improving accessibility. Directed Study: 5 hrs
Assessment is based on, firstly, exploration of web design and a proposal
for a website. Secondly, based on this exploration you will learn to design
and produce your own website. Week by week outline
Week 1 Intro to Web Design/ Writing a Website Proposal
Teaching and learning will be based on lectures introducing key concepts,
Workshop: Knowing your audience
supported by workshops exploring those in practical exercises. Directed
Directed Study: Research for proposal
independent study will develop knowledge and skills further. You should
spend around five hours on Directed Study each week, and 80 hours in
total including production time in weeks 6, 12, 13 and 14.
Week 2 Mockups – Fireworks introduction
Workshop: Create mock up of site
This module is compulsory for Web & New Media and Music Directed Study: Create mock up of site and site map
Industry students. It will also be of particular relevance to PR, Radio,
Photography, TV and broad media students looking for jobs in any Week 3 HTML
industries where knowledge of web production is useful (i.e. most jobs!). Workshop: HTML and introduction to Dreamweaver
Directed Study: More HTML and Dreamweaver
The basic software and planning skills learned here will be needed for
modules in subsequent levels that use interactive media, including DVD, Week 4 Dreamweaver
CDROM, Interactive Promotion and Music Online. Workshop: Dreamweaver – formatting text; tables; links
Directed Study: Exploring Dreamweaver
Week 5 Images
Workshop: Optimising and inserting images

2. Directed Study: Finishing Assignment 1 Briefs for each assignment will be issued when the assignment is set.
Deadline extensions will only be granted in accordance with
Week 6 departmental policy (see student handbook)
Directed Study – No Classes. Continued research and design (10
hours) MC435 Web Design : Resources
Essential Learning Resources
Week 7 Everything you knew is wrong Lecture notes, workshop and directed study briefs, available on Moodle
Workshop: From tables to CSS and student server
Directed Study: Assignment 2 Macromedia Dreamweaver MX
Fireworks, Photoshop or other image optimisation software
Week 8 Accessibility Internet access
Workshop: Making your site accessible
Directed Study: Making your site accessible
Recommended Reading
You can find an online reading list at
Week 9 Usability and templates http://193.60.133.217:8080/talislist/rl_content.jsp?
Workshop: Style sheets, library and templates listID=4541&s=4541 (also on Moodle)
Directed Study: Create a template
Week 10 Going Live World Wide Web
Workshop: Uploading site www.alistapart.com/
Directed Study: Assignment 2 www.killersites.com/
www.macromedia.com
Week 11 Production Week: no classes www.useit.com
www.w3c.org
Week 12 Advanced skills www.w3schools.com/
Workshop: Critical evaluation/Advanced skills http://webdesign.about.com/
Directed Study: Assignment 2 http://webmonkey.wired.com/webmonkey/
http://webreference.com/authoring/design/tutorials.html
Weeks 13 – 14 Final Assignment. Live Website (30 hours) www.zeldman.com/
Assessment Moodle
There are two elements of assessment for this module All materials for the module are available on Moodle
(http://biad.moodle.uce.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=224), including
Assessment Deadline Contribution to assignment briefs and materials, reading list, tutorials, presentations,
final mark workshops and directed study briefs. There is no password.
Proposal and research 9th March 3pm (wk5) 50% Please make use of the discussion forum to exchange ideas, links,
Website 1st June 3pm (wk14) 50% and inspiration, and ask for advice.