Assignments
This page provides an overview of the work that contributes to your final course grade, and connects you to descriptions for those projects and workshops through the links below. (Note that no descriptive detail appears on SVSU Canvas for any of these assignments.) I activate assignment pages as we need them, so do not worry if you cannot access all of the descriptions at the beginning of the semester.
Your course grade is computed from the points you earn on 5 projects and 8 workshops. Combined, these assignments total 1700 points.
You can read more about grading and what factors might influence your grade on the Policies page.
Projects
I use the term projects to categorize assignments that are significant undertakings, and that require development and refinement time that may span several weeks of the semester. You will complete 5 projects (one of which has multiple stages of development) this semester that collectively contribute 1300 possible points to your course grade.
Each project description details several elements of the work, including design requirements, hints and tips, and submission guidelines. Use the links below to access those descriptions.
- Codecademy (Required)(CAR). 200 points. The CAR project requires you to complete a series of html & css tutorials on the Codecademy.com web service. This CAR project is challenging because it requires you to think about design at the code level, which is immersive and disorienting for some.
- Codecademy (Optional)(CAO). 100 points. The CAO project offers you the opportunity to expand your knowledge of web design by completing a series of additional html & css tutorials on the Codecademy.com web service. This CAO project is challenging because it requires you to think about design at the code level, which is immersive and disorienting for some.
Note. In effect, this is a built-in option for earning extra credit. If you do not complete the project, it neither counts for you nor against you. This option is recommended for people interested in career opportunities in the realm of web design.
- Web Project Design Guide & Templates (DGT). 200 points. The DGT project requires you to demonstrate your growing design prowess with Bootstrap Studio by constructing specifications & templates for consideration by the class as the standard by which the Web Project will be designed. This DGT project is challenging because it requires you to harness the capabilities of the Bootstrap Studio design package in service to a specific design project.
- Web Project (WP). 600 points. The WP results in the design of a significant web-based information space. This project evolves over 3 stages: prospectus & wireframe, prototype, and the final submission. The WP is challenging because it demands that you construct a portfolio-worthy design for the web that is responsive, inclusive, and usable.
- Web Project Showcase (WPS). 200 points. The WPS project results in a video presentation of your contributions to the Web Project. The WPS project is challenging because it requires you to distill your accomplishments and the process by which you achieved them into a brief, coherent, concrete presentation.
Workshops
I use the term workshops to categorize assignments that are smaller scale than projects, work that can be completed in the space of a single in-person class session, or within the space of a single class week. The concepts, strategies, and practices examined through workshops build and reinforce your working knowledge for the course. You will complete 8 workshops this semester that collectively contribute 400 possible points to your course grade.
Each workshop description details several elements of the work, including design and discussion requirements, and submission guidelines. Use the links below to access those descriptions. Some workshops may require less explanation, and in that case their descriptions will appear in SVSU Canvas. I will direct you where you need to look in the weekly modules.
- Reflection 1. 50 points. An informal, exploratory thought experiment on topics related to the intersection of web design and design thinking.
- Reflection 2. 50 points. An informal, exploratory thought experiment on topics related to design empathy.
- Reflection 3. 50 points. An informal, exploratory thought experiment on topics related to the intersection of digital citizenship and information design.
- Bootstrap Studio 1, 2, and 3. 50 points each. Guided explorations of Bootstrap Studio through text-based and video tutorials.
- Team Design Goals & Principles. 50 points. Your team works through the process of establishing and codifying its design goals and principles for the Web Project.
- User Engagement. 50 points. Gathering user feedback following the Prototype stage of development for the Web Project.