Summary
The Certification in Web and Interactive Design is aimed at teaching the basics of Web site design, graphics, interactive elements and animation developed specifically for the Internet.
It is an exciting programme providing the students with the fundamental principles of Internet Computing and subsequently consolidating this with a creative approach to the design and management of digital interactive media and animation. Through an appreciation of Internet computing, an understanding of the technology behind the internet and web design and experiencing of the theory and practice of the interactive and multimedia aspects of the internet, students will be equipped with both the practical skills required by contemporary web design studios and the ability to adapt to future developments in the online industries.
Students will explore the various site design models used in personal, commercial and government Web sites, and will design Web pages and Web sites utilizing a variety of techniques and software tools.
Upon completion of this course, Students will be able to work as Web Designers and Developers with an added value of being equipped with knowledge in one or more of these scripting languages; JavaScript, PHP, Flash Action-Script and/or Active Server Page (ASP).
What is Web & Interactive Design?
Web & Interactive Design is the study and practice of the visual component of the whole Web Development Process.
Web Development is a term that incorporates all areas of developing a Web site for the Internet. It crosses multiple disciplines of information systems, information technology and communication design. This can include graphical Web design, actual coding or web programming for the site, backend or database programming, and Web server configuration.
The website is an information system whose components are sometimes classified as front-end and back-end. The observable content (e.g. page layout, user interface, graphics, text, audio) is known as the front-end. The back-end comprises the organization and efficiency of the source code, invisible scripted functions, and the server-side components that process the output from the front-end.
In short, Web Development is a collaborative effort between Web Designers handling the visual aesthetic aspects of the site and the Technology Team handling the technical aspects such as servers, server-side scripting and programming.
Web Development is categorized into two (2) major disciplines namely.
Web Design: Graduates of this discipline are called Web Designers but are not merely tasked with learning the aesthetic aspects of the discipline, rather a more holistic knowledge in both areas of design and technology. This discipline should gear students with the fundamental principles of Internet Computing and subsequently consolidating these principles with a creative approach to the design and management of digital media. The graduates are expected to be problem-solvers with knowledge of aesthetic principles and a practical understanding of web design, including issues such as interactivity, navigation, accessibility and promotion as well as the technological aspects such as a systematic grounding in the use of XHTML and CSS, hand-coding, preparing and moving images for the web, dynamic content, and the application of web design across a range of professional and commercial contexts.
Interactive Design: Graduates of this discipline are called Interface Designers or Multimedia Specialists. For the purposes of this document, this discipline is a stand-alone component but the growth of the Industry has made this area less-than-relevant in this day and age. Granted that there are Information Kiosks still being utilized and CD-Rom/DVD-Rom Technology still abounds but these are disciplines that are easily absorbed into components within Web Design.
Course Structure
For the students to gain a basic understanding of how the principles of design using leading edge design software and digital imaging tools. Students will learn how to format their images and data for use in the internet.
- Digital Imaging
- Design Principles
- Introduction to Vector Graphics
For the students to gain a basic understanding of how the internet works as well as how to develop a basic website as well as using Adobe Flash for animation and to create dynamic interactive menus.
- Web Design
- Web Animation
- Interactive Design
For the students to have a comprehensive knowledge in web production techniques and to create industry standard websites as well as database and scripting knowledge in creating value-added sites.
- Web Usability
- Basic Database Management
- Basic Web Scripting
