Course Description

Website Design is more than just posting text and images online for people to view on the World Wide Web with an Internet connection either from a desktop computer or mobile device. Technology is changing rapidly, but there are some basic and standard Web Design Principles students need to know and understand when it comes to Website Design. It’s more than just playing with Photoshop or moving a bunch of elements around in Word-Press, there are particular elements students need to learn when it comes to color, fonts, layout, functionality and making sure their website is compatible on all platforms. We don’t build websites for ourselves, but our client’s clients. In this course, students will learn what it takes to actually build a website from the ground up starting with the Website Design Principles. The course will focus heavily on front-end design (the pretty side) and no code or programming languages. Students will be following an online Canva presentation, and questions will be answered at the end of each lesson as there is too much material to cover during each lesson. At the start of each class, a summary of what we covered the week prior will be discussed and any questions will be answered before moving onto new material. It is imperative that the student doesn’t miss a class because there will be info given that won’t be on the Canva presentation. Students will be taking lots of notes that they’ll have for the future.

Supplies:
Pen
Notebook for taking lots of notes they will refer back to in the future


Day 1 – Intro
We’ll review the Zoom rules, learn a little about myself and previous work experience, look at samples
of websites I’ve created for clients, discuss Website Design Principles and the 12 Popular Types of
Websites.
Day 2 – Website History
We’re going to learn when did the Internet begin, by whom and why did it become so popular. We

need to understand what tools, technology, programs, software and coding languages we had previ-
ously to understand what’s going on today.

Day 3 – Understanding Types of Websites and Fonts
There are several types of websites that we can design and implement online, so we’re going to dive
right into that content and follow up with fonts. We’re going to learn the different types of fonts we
should be using, why they are important, and how they can help us create a good website design.
Day 4 – Color
Every color has a meaning and how color displayed in a website can either attract or push away
potential online visitors. We will be examining each color in the color wheel and discussing what it
represents and how it can affect your website design. In addition, it’s important to know which color
format to use and why. Class participation will be required for this lesson.
Day 5 – Graphics / Photos / Copyright
It is vital to understand how saving your graphics and photos will appear on the Website if you don’t
choose the right colors or file format. Size doesn’t matter, but quality does. We’ll discuss the best
ways to save your photos and graphics (logos, illustrations, clip art, etc.) for the Web. For students
with any knowledge and experience with Adobe Photoshop or Affinity Photo some info will be helpful
if you’re already familiar with either software, if no experience, don’t worry. We’re going to talk about
the different output options for photos and graphics in both software applications and I’ll be demoing
how to do this. I will share alternative options for non Photoshop and Affinity users. In addition, we
need to cover copyright infringement and understand how this applies to us in Web Design.
Day 6 – Bad Website Design
In today’s lesson, we’re going to look at bad websites and figure out what’s not working and why.
It’s important to know what problems can occur if we don’t understand why a website is considered
bad, and next day we’ll compare them to sites with good design principles. Class participation will be
required during this lesson.
Day 7 – Good Website Design

In today’s lesson, we’re going to look at good websites and see why these designs work. Class partic-
ipation will be required during this lesson.

Day 8 – Preparing your Website
Discussion: Why should someone have a website? What’s the purpose? What goes on a website?

What do you think makes a good website? A bad one? What are your website goals? Will you be sell-
ing a product or service or both? This will be a class discussion so participation is required.

Homework: Decide who you’re going to build a website for and what type of website. Bring that idea
to our next class and be ready to discuss it.

Day 9 – Research and Planning Your Website Design

Making a list, checking it twice, gonna find out whose done that when it comes to creating your web-
site design. Before you even begin to start concepting out a website whether it’s for yourself or a

client, you need to make a detailed list of everything that will go on the website. Think of it as a wish
list. You need to list the page names, how many images, how many photos, will there be videos and
audio, where will your website be hosted, and most importantly, what’s the budget. We will also be

discussing what to include on your website and how to help your budget conscious customers under-
stand the importance of cutting down their requests.

Homework: Make a detailed list of what will be included on your website.
Day 10 – Website Hosting

We’re going to discuss the different website hosting platforms you can use and compare the difference between each one. This is a vital step that needs to happen before you can even begin to create

your website concept.
Homework: Decide where your website will be hosted