Introduction to Interactive Design

DSGN 2510, Fall 2009, 3 credits
Thursdays, 0900-1200, Classroom N320c

Instructor: Michael LeBlanc, 494-8160, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Assistant: Jathea Cheng, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Student pages: http://nscadesign.ca/iidf/

Office Hours:

Tuesdays 1000-1400
Fridays 1100-1400
Office is located on 2nd floor, North Block

Official Course Description:

An introduction to the concepts and techniques of interactive design. Students learn the basic building blocks relating to the design and delivery of interactive content on the web and CD-ROM.
Before enrolling in this course students are expected to have basic knowledge of computer applications. Prerequisite FNDN 1510 or ARTS 2100.

Course Objectives:

You will learn basic HTML, XHTML and CSS. Special attention will be given to theoretical issues such as the separation of content from presentation, the value of semantic markup, accessibility, user interface and search engine optimization.

Format:

After taking attendance and dealing with ‘housekeeping issues’, we will have a lecture/demonstration for the first hour or so. At that point we will have in-class hands-on time to try out what you have learned in the demo.
All project work will employ a text editor such as BBEdit for web page construction. PhotoShop will also be used, so a basic knowledge of this program is essential.
Class attendance is mandatory; failure to attend will result in a lowering of your Attendance grade, and may result in your inability to complete the assigned projects.

Required Materials:

You should have two separate digital storage devices (such as a USB drive) for this course: one for your course work and one as a backup. If you do not have a backup and you lose the work on your primary storage device, you will lose your grade for that project. Always have a backup: since USB drives have been known to “stop working reliably” and they also get lost, paranoia (in this instance) is perfectly justified.

There is no required text for this course. However, I can recommend:
“HTML, XHTML and CSS”, 6th edition, Elizabeth Castro, Peachpit Press, 2007, ISBN 0321430840
“Designing With Web Standards”, Jeffrey Zeldman, Peachpit Press, 2006, ISBN 0321385551
“Designing Web Usability”, Jacob Nielsen, New Riders Publishing, 2000, ISBN 156205810X

Assignments:

Grading Rationale

HTML Weekly Assignments are assessed from 0-7. Priority is given to code that is without error. If an otherwise creative and well-executed assignment has errors, it will be assessed as 2/7. Work can be revised and improved; students must request by email if they wish to be re-assessed.
5-7: Extra Creative Work Acknowledged
4: Minimum Requirements Fulfilled
2: Errors in the Code
0: No Apparent Effort

Reports and Papers:

Almost all courses require that students submit one or more written documents. Students should consider the following guidelines in preparing their reports and papers.

1. The style, composition, organization and presentation of written work may count for up to one-third of the grade for the report or paper.
2. Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors may reduce the grade for the work.
3. Plagiarism (using the words, ideas or images of another author without full and proper acknowledgment) constitutes grounds for failure of the paper or report.

Note: This course outline describes the course in general terms. Some changes in schedule may be unavoidable.

Self-identification

With reference to NSCAD’s “General Policy on Students with Disabilities” students should identify themselves as early as possible so that the appropriate accommodations can be made in a timely manner.

Official Identification: Health & Safety

Students could be reminded that, without current NSCAD ID that includes a Health & Safety sticker, they will not be
permitted anywhere on the campus after hours.