School of Architecture and Built Environment

Course Template

Department of Design and Visual Communications

B.A. Design and Visual Communications
Course DES 215 Web Design, 4Crs: 8 Studios
Prerequisite DES 132 Multimedia and Web
.::. Course Description:

A project-based course integrating conceptual communicative thinking and design; applied and
theoretical principles and techniques of Web page Design; development of grid systems and
typography considering the special requirements of screen design; and integration of
photography, illustration, film and animation. Basic programming, multimedia and domain hosting
and size are also addressed. Projects are preferably realized in co-operation with actual clients
according to real-world demands.

Module Description Weeks

Introduction What is Web Page Design 1st
Getting started From Concept to Execution 2nd
3rd
Design Elements Layout and composition 4th
Color and texture 5th
Typography 6th
Project 1 submittal 7th
Practices in Web Functionality of websites 8th
Design
Visualization of ideas and data 9th
10th
Interface Design 11th
Interaction Design 12th
Usability and usability testing 13th
Dynamic Websites 14th
Project 2 submittal 15th
 Final Exams Period 16th
.::. Projects:

Students will work on the redesign of two website of real clients in Jordan. They will have to meet
up with the clients to understand their needs and work accordingly. The website will be fully ready
to be functioning on the web.

Project 1: [Amman Institute] “Amman Institute is a not-for-profit organization that operates as

an international center of excellence in urban governance, community planning & development,
and organizational reform within Jordan and the Middle East.” [http://www.ammaninstitute.com].
Currently Ai is renewing the design of their website, so students will go and meet up with their
representative and work on the redesign. The website will be designed using HTML and CSS. More
details will be given on the project brief.

Project 2: [JRTV] “Jordan Radio and Television (JRTV) is the state broadcaster of Jordan. It was
formed in 1985 from the merger of Jordan Radio and Jordan Television. [http://www.jrtv.gov.jo/]
Students will work on the rebranding of JRTV, through creating a logo and reinvent their website.
Through this students will come up with a color scheme and a theme for JRTV. Students will meet
up with representatives from JRTV. The approach to this project is more flexible in terms of the
visuals and audio since it is for a broadcasting/Entertainment body. The website will be designed
using Flash and ActionScript. More details will be given on the project brief.

.::. Learning Outcomes:

a) Knowledge and Understanding

1. Know how to create layouts and structures of websites.
2. Know how to use the software related [Photoshop, Dreamweaver and Flash] effectively in
the design process.
3. Know the main criteria of creating successful and beautiful websites.

b) Intellectual Skills
4. Understand the anatomy of websites.
5. Understand the history and development of the [WWW] and the online culture,
6. Understand the functional and aesthetic qualities of websites and emerging societal and
commercial practices of the web.

c) Professional Skills
7. Use all the knowledge and skills attained [as mentioned above] in the process of designing
website for real clients.

d) Transferable skills
8. Enhancing the student's verbal and visual communication of concepts, design approaches
and solutions.

.::. Teaching Methods:

This course consists of two studio sessions per week, these sessions are composed of:
[ ] Lectures addressing issues related.
[ ] Discussion sessions of given readings.
[ ] Studio time to work on the projects and assignments on going.
[ ] Discussion sessions between the students and the instructors about their work and design
development and any written or research assignments.

Students will all sign in to a social network created for them [ http://fusionists.ning.com/]. After
signing in they will have to contribute to this network by videos, images, discussion forums, etc.
Their contribution will be assessed as their course portfolio.

.::. Assessment:

The criteria of assessment are:

[ ] Creative approaches to the project requirements and the level of deviation from typical
design solutions.
[ ] The level of mastering the software and deploying it in the design process.
[ ] The general quality of the design in terms of concepts, developing, functionality, and
usability.

The grading system:

1. Studio Projects: 70 %
Project 1 30%
Project 2 40%

2. Assigned Readings, exercises and homework 20%

3. Student's Portfolio [his/ her profile at [Fusionists network]] 10%

Projects and assignments must be submitted on time. No late submittal is accepted except in
cases of emergency and meeting the instructor's and the Dean's approval.

.::. Text Books

:: Beaird, Jason, (2008), The Principles of Beautiful Web Design, SitePoint Pty.

.::. References

:: van Duyne, Douglas K., and Landay, James A. And Hong, Jason I. (2006), The Design of Sites:
Patterns for Creating Winning Web Sites, Prentice Hall, 2nd Ed.
:: Iuppa, Nick, (2001), Interactive Design for New Media and the Web, Focal Press, 2nd Ed.
:: Lenker, John C. (2002), Train of Thoughts: Designing the Effective Web Experience, New Riders
Press.
:: Lopuck, Lisa, (2006), Web Design for Dummies, Wiley Publishing, 2nd Ed.
:: Macdonald, Nico, (2003), What is Web Design, RotoVision.

Instructor Arch. Rusaila Bazlamit, M.Sc. Design and Digital Media

Co Instructor Ms. Beesan Arafat, M.A. Screen Design for Film and Television