Fall Semester 2017 - George Mason Universityart.gmu.edu/wp...WebDesignandUsability_Bourke.pdf– A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability Steve Krug, New Riders Press; 2nd Edition

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GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITYFall Semester 2017

Syllabus and Policies

AVT 415 / AVT 519Web Design & Usability

Section 001 & 003: MW 7:20-10:00 PM Location: Art & Design Building 1023

Instructor: Eamonn Bourke [email protected]

Prerequisite: AVT 217, 311, 313 or 414 Or permission of instructor

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SYLLABUS & POLICIES The syllabus and project statements serve as your guide throughout the semester. Refer to them frequently, you are expected to know and understand this information. There will be information covered in class that does not appear on this syllabus. Class attendance is a must! DESCRIPTION This course introduces students to web design, usability, and the use of popular applications for static, interactive, and motion-based web development. OBJECTIVES Students will further develop skills in designing and building websites with an emphasis on usability, user experience, and human-centered design. The course covers the following areas:

1. Designing for usability 2. Designing for web and mobile platforms 3. Usability research and documentation 4. Functional Prototyping

CONTENT There are four major projects, several progress assignments, lectures, guest lectures, and many in-class critiques (group, one on one, presentation) in this class. Project assignments may overlap.

Project 2 – Conversational & Usability Design We will be designing for a Voice User Interface (VUI) controlled device and will create ausability focused product with the principles of conversational design.

Project 4 – Interface Design Select one subject area or product concept and design an interface that fulfills the goals of the products purpose, features and audience needs. This project will be a culmination of everything we have learned this semester and will serve as the class final.

Project 3 – Website Redesign We will be each individually redesigning an assigned existing website. The end result of this projectwill be a functioning homepage and secondary website page coded with HTML & CSS for both mobileand larger desktop/tablet browsers.

Project 1 – The Worlds Greatest Door Let’s make doors better. How do we do that? With design, usability, and some creative ingenuity.This will be a rapid prototyping project to introduce you to human-centered design.

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Discovery Phase Task Model Analysis Info Model Analysis Site Map Design Initial Sketches Wireframe Design Interactive UX Mock/Wireframes

Design Phase Mood Board Design Visual Design Phase (applying brand + visual UX elements) Front End Development (using HTML, CSS, JS, etc) ProtoypingAnimations + motion designFinal Web Site or product

YOUR COURSE DROPBOX

Students will have to document each assignment by uploading files, images, notes and documents that are related to each project into Dropbox. A free account can be obtained at www.dropbox.com. Minimizeyour chance of maxing out your free account available space by only uploading flat image files (jpg, png, gif)and not upload source design files. Keep your dropbox organized and updated. The cleanliness of yourDropbox account is worth 10 points of your final grade. We will never print out work for presentations in thisclass, everything is due at the start of class IN DROPBOX. You must share your dropbox folder with yourname as the title with the professor within the first week of class.

DESIGN PROCESS Students should follow the recommended design process as outlined in the Project Statements. The quality of your design process is an important factor in your project grade. The typical Web/Usability design process includes the following: Research Phase Criteria Analysis Competitive Analysis User Analysis User Scenarios Surveys

CLASSROOM POLICIES

• No food or beverages are permitted in the classroom. • No Internet surfing or answering emails while class is in session. • Turn cell phones off in class, no texting or phone calls in class. • Projects/assignments are due at the beginning of class without exception. Late submissions receive a full letter grade down for delay of each class day. If you arrive late that day, your project will be considered late and grade will be lowered one full letter grade. Projects will not be accepted later then one week after the due date.

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GRADING POLICY There are 400 total points for all projects and assignments. Project 1. The Worlds Greatest Door - 50 ptsProject 2. Conversational & Usability Design - 100 ptsProject 3. Website Redesign - 100 ptsProject 4. Interface Design - 140 ptsFinal Dropbox Submission - 10 pts

386-400 = A+; 371-385 = A; 360-370 = A- 347-359 = B+; 334-346 = B; 320-333 = B- 307-319 = C+; 294-306 = C; 280-293 = C- 240-279 = D; below 240 = F RECOMMENDED READINGS Don’t Make Me Think! – A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability Steve Krug, New Riders Press; 2nd Edition (August 28, 2005) Website Design & Usability Information Architecture for Designers Peter Van Dijck, Roto Vision, 2003 Designing Web Usability Jacob Nielsen, New Riders, 1999

SUGGESTED SOFTWARESKETCH APP - WWW.SKETCHAPP.COM/STORE/EDU$50 Cost for students.

• Failure to turn in any project or assignment will result in a failing grade. • Students arriving later then 10 minutes to class will be marked tardy. Students arriving 30 minutes late to class will be marked absent. Students who leave before the class is dismissed will be counted as absent. • If you miss 3 classes (including excused or unexcused), your final grade will be reduced by a letter grade. • Emails to the instructor for the purpose of getting the lecture material and the homework will NOT be answered. • There will be no makeup for a project. • Students must be prepared for class to be counted as present, i.e. having all necessary supplies, computer files, sketches, etc. • Attendance and participation in critiques is MANDATORY. Your may be counted as absent if you do not have the required work to present at in-progress and final critiques.

CLASSROOM POLICIES (cont’d)

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Important University Dates:

ArtsBus - Dates for Fall 2017:September 23October 21November 18

ArtsBus Credit and Policies: You are responsible for knowing and following Artsbus policies and rules. Please go to the ArtsBus website: http://artsbus.gmu.edu "Student Information" for important information regarding ArtsBus policy. For credit to appear on your transcript you must enroll in AVT 300. This also applies to anyone who intends to travel to New York independently, or do the DC Alternate Assignment. * If you plan/need to go on multiple ArtsBus trips during a semester and need them towards your total requirement, you must enroll in multiple sections of AVT 300* Non-AVT majors taking art classes do not need Artsbus credit BUT may need to go on the Artsbus for a class assignment. You can either sign up for AVT 300 or buy a ticket for the bus trip at the Center of the Arts. Alternate trips must be approved by the instructor of the course that is requiring an ArtsBus trip.

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Visual Voices Lecture Series Fall 2017 Visual Voices is a year-long series of lectures by artists, art historians and others about contemporary art and art practice. Visual Voices lectures are held on Thursday evenings from 7:20- 9:00 p.m. in Harris Theater: http://soa.gmu.edu/visualvoices/August 31…Simon SchwartzSept 14… Andy BirnbaumOct 5…Patricia Bello-GillenOct 19…Sadie BarnetteNov 11… Walter Kravitz

Students with Disabilities and Learning Di�erences If you have a diagnosed disability or learning di�erence and you need academic accommodations, please inform me at the beginning of the semester and contact the Disabilities Resource Center (SUB I room 234, 703-993-2474). You must provide your instructor with a faculty contact sheet from that o�ce outlining the accommodations needed for your disability or learning di�erence. All academic accommodations must be arranged in advance through the DRC.

Cell Phones: School of Art Policies in accordance with George Mason University policy, turn o� all beepers, cellular telephones and other wireless communication devices at the start of class. The instructor of the class will keep his/her cell phone active to assure receipt of any Mason Alerts in a timely fashion; or in the event that the instructor does not have a cell phone, he/she will designate one student to keep a cell phone active to receive such alerts.

Commitment to Diversity: This class will be conducted as an intentionally inclusive community that celebrates diversity and welcomes the participation in the life of the university of faculty, sta� and students who re�ect the diversity of our plural society. All may feel free to speak and to be heard without fear that the content of the opinions they express will bias the evaluation of their academic performance or hinder their opportunities for participation in class activities. In turn, all are expect-ed to be respectful of each other without regard to race, class, linguistic background, religion, political beliefs, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, veteran’s status, or physical ability.

Statement on Ethics in Teaching and Practicing Art and Design: As professionals responsible for the education of undergraduate and graduate art and design students, the faculty of the School of Art adheres to the ethical standards and practices incorporated in the professional Code of Ethics of our national accreditation organization, The National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Open Studio Hours: SOA teaching studios are open to students for extended periods of time morn-ings, evenings and weekends whenever classes are not in progress. Policies, procedures and sched-ules for studio use are established by the SOA studio faculty and are posted in the studios.

O�cial Communications via GMU E-Mail Mason uses electronic mail to provide o�cial information to students. Examples include communications from course instructors, notices from the library, notices about academic standing, �nancial aid information, class materials, assignments, questions, and instructor feedback. Students are responsible for the content of university communication sent to their Mason e-mail account, and are required to activate that account and check it regularly.

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Attendance Policies Students are expected to attend the class periods of the courses for which they register. In-class participation is important not only to the individual student, but also to the class as a whole. Because class participation may be a factor in grading, instructors may use absence, tardiness, or early departure as de facto evidence of nonparticipation. Students who miss an exam with an acceptable excuse may be penalized according to the individual instructor's grading policy, as stated in the course syllabus.

Honor Code Students in this class are bound by the Honor Code, and are responsible knowing the rules, as stated on the George Mason University website’ Academic Integrity page (http://oai.gmu.edu/the-mason-honor-code-2/). “To promote a stronger sense of mutual responsi-bility, trust, and fairness among all members of the Mason community, and with the desire for greater academic and personal achievement, we, the student members of the university communi-ty, have set forth this honor code:Student members of the George Mason University community pledge not to cheat, plagiarize, steal, or lie in matters related to academic work.Mason’s Commitment: To create an environment that is innovative, diverse, entrepreneurial, and accessible-helping you avoid accidental or intentional violations of the Honor Code.”

Writing Center Students who are in need of intensive help with grammar, structure or mechanics in their writing should make use of the services of Writing Center, located in Robinson A116 (703-993-1200). The services of the Writing Center are available by appointment, online and, occa-sionally, on a walk-in basis. The Collaborative Learning Hub Located in Johnson Center 311 (703-993-3141), the lab o�ers in-person one-on-one support for the Adobe Creative Suite, Micro-soft O�ce, Blackboard, and a variety of other software. Dual monitor PCs make the lab ideal for collaborating on group projects, Macs are also available; as well as a digital recording space, collab-orative tables, and a SMART Board. Free workshops are also available (Adobe and Microsoft) through Training and Certi�cation; visit ittraining.gmu.edu to see the schedule of workshops and to sign up.