Syllabus

Fall 2013
Nicholas McMillan
nicholas.mcmillan@tamucc.edu
cell: 703.855.2523

Office Hours:
Monday 330 to 530 pm
Tuesday 12 to 2pm
Bay Hall 224

Meeting Time:
M/W: 1230–320 pm
Bay Hall 234

Course Description
This studio course will teach students how to develop creative strategies for problem solving in a client-based environment. This studio explores the use of the world wide web, blogs, social media and other interactive media as a creative outlet for portfolio development.  

Learning Outcomes
• To learn and practice the history of web design, its purposes, uses and where it is headed.
• To create with and learn the software necessary to create web pages.
• To create pleasing design techniques for the web.
• To practice the above principles in practical projects.
• To create blog sites and social media outlets

Course Prerequisites

ARTS 3360 & ARTS 2361 are recommended as prerequisites for this course. Students should have a general understanding of Adobe software applications. Students should also be familiar with the Macintosh interface. Students should be familiar with history of graphic design, typography and mounting procedures. If this is not the case, and you have not taken ARTS 3360 and ARTS 2361, please meet with me during office hours or schedule.

Required Texts

Above the Fold: Understanding the Principles of Successful Web Site Design 

by Brian Miller* 

Designing For Emotion

by Aarron Walter

Recommended Texts

The Web Designer’s Idea Book, Vol. 2: More of the Best Themes, Trends and Styles in Website Design [Paperback]

by Patrick McNeil

Reference Texts

The Fundamentals of Interactive Design

by Michael Salmond and Gavin Ambrose 

Required Materials

1. Portable Hard Drive (recommended). 

Use of a USB (at least 1GB) drive is acceptable, however if the drive fails or is loss, you are still responsible for meeting all deadlines. 

2. DropBox Account (free)

Grading Opportunities

100–90 A, 89–80 B, 79–70 C, 69–60 D, 59 & below F

Please see last page of syllabus for detailed grade break down.

Late Work

No late work is accepted. If you are unable to make the final critique of a project, please make arrangements with me to turn in and present to the class on an earlier date. 

Plagiarism

Plagiarism of concept, imagery, layout, or copy (text) of any kind is not tolerated and will result in a failing grade. In the event of an act of plagiarism, you will be reported to the University for academic review.

Class Participation

You are encouraged to participate in class discussions and critiques. Discussions are an opportunity for you to contribute to your classmate’s design process. Remember, criticism is meant to help you become a better visual communicator—please do not take any criticism personally. 

Attendance

Class begins promptly at the scheduled time. If you walk in late, please remind me to count you present. If you know you need to miss a class, please let me know as soon as possible. 

Professionalism

Cell Phones 

Cell phones are to remain off or in silent mode during the full class session. Please do not text message or use your phone in the classroom, except for emergencies. In the case of an emergency phone call please take the call outside. 

Music/Headphones 

Headphones are not permitted during lectures/presentations by either the professor or your classmates. 

Studio Work Time

We share Bay Hall 234 with a number of other classes. You are encouraged to stay until the end of each class to work on your projects. There is very little outside of class time opportunities to work in Bay Hall 234. Therefore, you must make the most of your time in the studio.

Email Addresses

You must now use the University assigned email address. If you have not activated this email, please see the help desk to do so immediately. 

Advising

The college of Liberal Arts requires that students meet with an Academic Advisor as soon as they are ready to declare a major. The Academic Advisor will set up a degree plan, which must be signed by the student, a faculty mentor, and the department chair. The College’s Academic Advising Center is located in Driftwood 203E, and can be reached at 825-3466.

Grade Appeal Process

As stated in University Rule 13.02.99.C2, Student Grade Appeals, a student who believes that he or she has not been held to appropriate academic standards as outlined in the class syllabus, equitable evaluation procedures, or appropriate grading, may appeal the final grade given in the course. The burden of proof is upon the student to demonstrate the appropriateness of the appeal. A student with a complaint about a grade is encouraged to first discuss the matter with the instructor. For complete details, including the responsibilities of the parties involved in the process and the number of days allowed for completing the steps in the process, see University Rule 13.02.99.C2, Student Grade Appeals, and University Procedure 13.02.99.C2.01, Student Grade Appeal Procedures. These documents are accessible through the University Rules Website. For assistance and/or guidance in the grade appeal process, students may contact the Office of Student Affairs.

*Notice to Students with Disabilities: Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act in making reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. If you suspect that you may have a disability (physical impairment, learning disability, psychiatric disability, etc.), please contact the Services for Students with Disabilities Office, located in Driftwood 101, at 825-5816. If you need disability accommodations in this class, please see me as soon as possible.