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12.7.99: The term project
requirements have been posted.
course schedule and readings
logistics and grading
project guidelines
class projects - please contact the instructor
assignments:
web site review
technology report
assignment 1: usability testing
assignment 2: website planning
and management
term project:
building a web site
useful links
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Advanced Web Design
Introduction
This course will develop your ability to design effective
web sites. Focusing on the high level concepts of usability,
interactivity, content development and user needs, we will explore
the use of various technologies to implement these higher level
concepts into effective and efficient web pages. Our goal is
to develop skills and knowledge in user-centered design techniques
to develop fourth generation websites.
We will pay particular attention to the notion of Low Overhead
Design (LOD), the idea that technology should reduce the overhead
of a user to accomplish their desired task. In the case of information
systems, overhead comes not only in the form of the technology
itself, but also the cognitive and physical effort expended by
the user. At the same time as reducing this overhead, Low Overhead
Design strives to augment the users' ability to find relevant
information.
As a practical matter, this course will be run as a seminar,
where students will be active participants in the teaching and
learning in the classroom. The seminar format provides participants
with opportunities to create an experiential learning environment.
Our goal is to become fluent in our abilities to talk about,
analyze and present websites and their associated technologies.
Definitions
Third-Generation Site
- A third-generation site uses typographic and visual layout
principles to describe a page in two dimensions. Third-generation
site designers carefully specify the position and relationships
of all elements on the page, retaining fine control of the layout.
Third-generation sites use metaphor and visual theme to entice
and guide, creating a whole experience for surfers from the first
splash screen to the exit. (from Killer Web Sites)
Fourth-Generation site
- One that incorporates the user in the development of the
web site. Among the user-centered design techniques available
are: usability testing, interactive and dynamic web pages, needs
assessments. The user becomes the third dimension of a website.
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