Course Information
This is a wide ranging, fast moving course in design, with a focus on visual communication, information architecture and web design. Each week we will focus on a different topic and explore how is it being applied within the web and other digital media. There will be readings, discussion and hands-on design assignments as a part of the exploration process.
Course objectives
- Understand and be able to explain visual communication theory and techniques
- Develop an understanding of how design elements can impact the communication process
- Identify and apply design elements in interactive design
- To discuss and analyze (critique) design effectiveness
- Develop an understanding of web site design and organization, including information architecture and usability
Required text
Universal Principles of Design; William Lidwell, Kritina Holden and Jill Butler; Rockport Publishers; ISBN: 1-59253-007-9 available through amazon.
In addition to the textbook, there will be weekly assigned readings. These readings are stored online.
Required Software
This class will require the use of some sort of graphics software. I would like to avoid unnecessary expense. Before the course starts I will query students as to what software they have access to. In the best of all worlds, everyone in the class would be able to use Photoshop for our assignments. UNC has a provision for students to purchase Photoshop for about $162.00.
Schedule Overview
Week 1: Introduction
objective: To explore an idea that has bound humankind for millennia: Attractive things work better - true or false?
Week 2: Visual Communication
objective: To become knowledgeable about visual thinking (thinking in pictures). Understanding the human need to communicate visually.
Week 3: Archetypes, cliches and the visual memory
objective: To learn to think critical about visual messages. Why is one image an archetype and another a cliche? Which one makes for a better web communication?
Week 4: Gestalt theory
objective: To be able to identify and use the elements of visual perception.
report: Paul Rand (his design philosophy)
Week 5: Design Principles
objective: To be able to recognize and utilize design basics.
report: Milton Glaser (his design philosophy)
Week 6: Design History (simplified)
objective: To be able to very broadly identify historic styles and trends in graphic design. You can't create a new design, if you are unwittingly repeating history.
report: Richard Saul Wurman (information overload and information architecture)
Week 7: Usability
objective: Successful web design depends upon understanding users. In this unit we explore how to identify your users and design to meet their needs (not yours).
report: Steve Krug (advanced common sense)
Week 8: Page layout and design for the web
objective: To learn and apply basic grid design within the limitations of the web.
report: Peter Morville & Steve Rosenfeld (information architecture)
Week 9: Information architecture - part 1
objective: design is a process. In this unit we will explore the process of organizing information (and clients) to begin the web design process)
report: Don Norman (emotional design)
Week 10: State of the internet
objective: Learn about your users: explore reports and data on web trends. What do users want and need from your web site at this moment in time (a.k.a. how to avoid dead technologies and expectations)
report: Alan Cooper (interface design)
Week 11: Designing for interactivity
objective: The web is not a book. What are the elements in the toolbox of interactivity and how to utilize them. This is not a discussion of Flash, wikis or technologies. Interaction is a human-computer process. We will explore how to get your humans to interact.
report: Christopher Alexander (pattern language)
Week 12: Information architecture - part 2
objective: To take a quick walk through an information - architecture development cycle. Learn how visual communication and organization attract and retain visitors.
report: Jennifer Tidwell (patterns in web design)
Week 13: Pattern language: design principles for interaction
objective: To explore patterns of interactive design and pattern language. In this section we will be applying design principles to web design.
report: Edward Tufte (visual communication of information)
Week 14: Digital Passion
objective: Great design goes beyond communication and becomes a consuming passion. We will explore some flashpoints of addictive design.
Week 15: Closing thoughts
objective: This week is left open for explorations in uncharted territory that the class has become passionate about.
Week by Week Schedule
| Dates | Topic | Reports | Assignment due | |
1 |
Jan 9 -11 | Introduction | . | . |
2 |
Jan 12 -18 | Visual Communication | . | Design Report Selection - Jan 18 |
3 |
Jan 19 - 25 Holiday - Jan 21 |
Archetypes, cliches and the visual memory | . | . |
4 |
Jan 26 - Feb 1 | Gestalt theory | Paul Rand | Digital Scrapbook - Feb 1 |
5 |
Feb 2 - 8 | Design Principles | Milton Glaser | . |
6 |
Feb 9 - 15 | Design History (simplified) | Richard Saul Wurman | Digital Scrapbook 2 - Feb 15 |
7 |
Feb 16 - 22 | Usability & Process | Steve Krug | . |
8 |
Feb 23 - 29 | Usability - part 2 | Peter Morville & Lou Rosenfeld | . |
9 |
Mar 1 - 7 | Information architecture - part 1 | Don Norman | Web Site analysis - partial review - due Mar 7 |
| Mar 8 - 16 Holiday | ||||
10 |
Mar 15 - 21 Holiday - Mar 21 |
Information architecture - part 2 | Alan Cooper | . |
11 |
Mar 22 - 28 | Designing for interactivity | . | |
12 |
Mar 29 - Apr 4 | Page layout and design for the web | Jennifer Tidwell | |
13 |
Apr 5 - 11 | Pattern language: design principles for interaction | Edward Tufte | .Site Inventory and Content Map - due Apr 11 |
14 |
Apr 12 - 18 | Digital Passion | . | . |
15 |
Apr 19 - 25 Class ends: Apr 25 |
Closing thoughts | . | Web Site analysis - complete - due Apr 25 |
Course Expectations
This course may be quite time intensive, depending on your familiarity with web technologies.You should plan on spending at least six to nine hours a week working on assignments, readings or projects.
Discussion Forum
The discussion forum constitutes our virtual classroom, and you are required to "come to class" by participating in each week's discussion on a consistent basis. Each week, we will discuss several questions, which are listed for you at the end of each module. These questions and the discussion they hopefully will engender are critical. Your participation is vital (and part of your grade). Submit your reactions to the questions in the Blackboard forums or wiki. These responses can and should include thoughts and opinions, additional research and information about the topic, Web sites, journal and newspaper articles, and other related sources from which the class might benefit.
Please complete the readings prior to the assigned week. Discussion will begin on Saturdays. You should post your contributions to the discussion board or wiki, as indicated. Check the discussion boards daily. You should read your classmate's comments and respond to those each week
This course is a seminar course. Our discussions will take place in the forums or wiki, as indicated in the schedule. A majority of your grade is determined by the quality (and to a lesser degree, quantity) of your postings in the online class spaces. Some of the discussions may require you to post images as a part of the discussion.
Discussion participation = 40% of your final grade. See participation rubric for details
All class discussions must be completed by 11:00 pm on FRIDAY of the assigned week! Any comment made after that point will not be considered as participation in the class. Each week runs from Saturday to Friday. All course deadlines are Eastern Standard Time. I will try to respond to any question within 24 hours, though response time on weekends will be longer.
Assignments, Report/project & Grading Policy
Assignments = 40% of your final grade. All assignments are due by 11:00 pm on Friday of the assigned week. Assignments will be marked as pass/fail with comments. There will be four design assignments during the course. These will mostly be short pieces using your camera and/or a digital imaging program. You will not be graded on your technical skill with either a camera or the software, but on your willingness to explore and embrace new concepts.
Team report/project = 20% of your final grade. You will be assigned to a team (consisting of 2-3 students). Each team will post a report on an assigned designer. Potential designers for reports: Jakob Nielsen, Peter Morville/Louis Rosenfeld, Steve Krug, Edward Tufte, Don Norman, Alan Cooper, Richard Saul Wurman and Bruce Tognazzini.
It is your responsibility to save copies of any work (not forum comments) submitted via Blackboard or e-mail. It is your responsibility to maintain copies of your assignments until they are graded. Best practice would be to save copies of all work until the end of the semester.
Graduate students will be awarded the following grades:
H: High pass - Clear excellence; this is equivalent to a high A.
P: Pass - Entirely satisfactory
L: Low pass - Equivalent to a low C or a D
F: Fail
Housekeeping Matters
Course changes
The instructor reserves the right to change course content, requirements for assignments, grading procedures and other alterations, as appropriate, to the course. While such changes will be discussed and decided in the course forums, under exceptional circumstances, the instructor may incorporate changes without notice.
Grade issues
We are committed toward grades that are fair and appropriate. It is important for students to know that the final grade is an average of several grades that are earned over the semester. Final grades are not negotiable. Doing extra work to improve a final grade is not an option because that would not be fair to other students in the course. If you wish to earn a good grade, work hard from the beginning of the semester.
Honor Code
Remember that as a student of UNC-Chapel Hill, you are bound by the University's Honor Code: "It shall be the responsibility of every student at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to obey and support the enforcement of the Honor Code, which prohibits lying, cheating, or stealing when these actions involve academic processes or University students or academic personnel acting in an official capacity." An especially serious Honor Code violation is plagiarism. If you are uncertain about what is considered plagiarism, please consult your course instructor.
Participation Rubric
1. |
Participating in group discussion forums |
Attendance rating |
| Missed 2 or more discussion forums or dominated discussion forums in a way that made it difficult for all to participate | 1 - Not adequate | |
| Missed 1 discussion forum or dominated occasional forums to the extent that others found it difficult to participate | 2 - Adequate | |
| Participated in all discussion forums and did not dominate the discussion | 3 - Fully satisfactory | |
| Participated in all discussion forums, with at least two contributions in each forum. | 4 - Excellent | |
| Participated in all discussion forums, with 2-3 contributions in each one | 5 - Outstanding | |
2. |
Preparing for group discussion forums(reading textbook; reading articles and supplementary materials) |
Preparation rating |
| Contributions to discussion forums suggest that student has not read assigned textbook readings, or articles, or is significantly behind schedule. | 1 - Not adequate | |
| Contributions to discussion forums suggest that student has usually read or listened to textbook or articles. | 2 - Adequate | |
| Contributions to discussion forums suggest that student has regularly studied textbook, or lectures in a timely manner. | 3 - Fully satisfactory | |
| Contributions to discussion forums suggest careful and timely study of required textbook readings and articles.. | 4 - Excellent | |
| Contributions to discussion forums suggest careful and timely study of course materials and also outside reading. | 5 - Outstanding | |
3. |
Making good quality contributions in discussion forums |
Contribution rating |
| Barely contributes to group discussions, knowledge, awareness, and understanding. | 1 - Not adequate | |
| Makes occasional contributions or largely superficial ones | 2 - Adequate | |
| Regularly makes relevant contributions to discussion forums | 3 - Fully satisfactory | |
| Regularly makes relevant contributions that reflect careful reading of others' comments and add to the group's knowledge, understanding, insight, or awareness | 4 - Excellent | |
| Regularly makes multiple thoughtful or insightful contributions that reflect 1) careful reading of others' comments and also 2) knowledge beyond the required course material | 5 - Outstanding |