Creative Website Design (an intensive online course)

The Course

The Internet, by its nature, is a global platform. On the World Wide Web, websites designed in Canberra or Jakarta will easily be compared with websites done in Florida or Lagos or anywhere in the world. In other words, the art of beautiful website design knows no localization as long as it is on the Internet where anyone can access it.  Thus, the term “Nigerian website” is an oxymoron of sorts which, in as much as it does exist, should be made to rest.

The course is designed to help budding web designers develop their skills and enhance their website compositions through the use of appropriate software for polished and carefully crafted designs. The course will help participants appreciate the need to apply standard principles of design in their projects in order to become well-rounded web design professionals ready for the industry.
 

Registration

Click here to register
 

Requirements

  • Regular access to the Internet in order to use the training portal.
  • Compulsory attendance at the two classroom sessions in the Centre.
  • One face-to-face meeting between each participant and the facilitator in the Centre at a time agreed on by both parties during the programme.

Delivery

Online modules will be delivered through the Centre’s Courseware Web Portal. Through this website, participants will be able to:

  • View all the modules and their summaries.
  • View and download the programme calendar for upcoming events as well as course reminders.
  • Download available resources – notes, course materials, references (e.g. in the form of sample websites) etc.
  • Interact with the facilitator (personal tutor) and other course participants through the online forums, emails, instant messaging or voice calls over the Internet (Skype).
  • Upload completed assignments for grading/assessment by the facilitator.
  • View assessments and grades awarded by the facilitator

Approach

The course will take a fully practical approach with focus on extensive hands-on practice by the participants and regular online feedback and correspondence with the facilitator through the training portal (cmc.edu.ng/courseware). Most of the modules will be web-based.

Participants will be expected to complete various web design projects that should reflect a clear understanding of the underlying principles of the subject using standard web design and publishing tools such as Adobe Dreamweaver, Fireworks and PhotoShop.

Participants will also be guided along the steps of hosting their own websites along with the required domain name registration.

Modules

1. Building the Professional Web Designer (Classroom)

A professional web designer is, in the first place, a person who realizes the need for a continual acquisition of self-management skills for personal effectiveness. This can be achieved through a combination of effective goal-setting, time management, organizational skills and a clear understanding of the ethical issues affecting the web as a platform along with the various new technologies that are emerging from it.

This module will serve as an introduction to the course and an examination of the various aspects that make the web designer a complete professional.

2. Creativity and Idea Generation (Classroom)

One of the marks of a creative web designer is his ability to produce ideas that are not commonplace. This module gives an illustrative overview of the broad concepts of creativity as a means of communicating for change and as a tool for generating fresh “out-of-the-box” ideas. It also explores the art of creative thinking and the modern trends of creativity on the Web.

3. Web Page Layouts (Online)

A good web page layout is about more than just applying the principles of design or creating cutting-edge design. A workable page layout is one that delivers the intended message and presents a useable and friendly interface to its audience. In this module, participants will be introduced to the techniques of designing the layout of their web pages using standard tools: tables and div tags along with CSS placement styles. This module will also serve as an introduction to cascading style sheets (CSS).

At the end of the module, participants will complete a project that will show their understanding of the use of tables, div tags and CSS for web page layout.

4. Use of Colours in Web Design (Online)

Perhaps the most mysterious aspect of design is the topic of color selection. This module sheds some light on this topic as it delves into both the aesthetic and scientific aspects of color theory. With these simple guidelines, and some tips for creating harmonious color combinations, participants will be expected to be able  choose a set of colors that work well together to complement the overall message of their web site.

At the end of the module, participants should have completed a project on selecting a relevant and attractive palette for our sample web site design and applying them.

5. Web hosting and SEO (Classroom)

Having learnt most of the principles of professional website design, participants will embark on the design of a full-blown website using the tools and standard implementation styles available in Macromedia Dreamweaver. They will also be given instructions on how to host their websites on the Internet and learning the techniques of optimizing those sites for search engines such as Google and Yahoo.

6. Web Site Typography (Online)

The importance of typography is self-evident. Type is everywhere, and understanding the mechanics of written language is essential for any visual designer. In this module, participants will be taken beneath the surface of this rich topic, exploring the basics of the letterform, and investigating various typeface distinctions.

At the end of the module, participants will carry out a project that evaluates their comprehension of the various typefaces and their use in websites.

7. Use of Graphics and Imagery (Online)

The necessary companions to any well-designed site are the images and illustrations that grace its pages. This module will discuss what should be looked out for in the visual elements used on web pages, and locate sources of legitimate supporting imagery. Participants will also learn the basics of cropping, masking, borders, and file formats, before taking the final step in their sample design: incorporating imagery that supports their branding, and helps communicate the message they’re trying to convey.

At the end of the module, participants will have completed a project that demonstrates their knowledge of the use of imagery in website design.

Closing Session and Final Assessment

This class session will serve as a presentation of the final projects carried out by participants for everyone to view and a panel to assess. Certificates will be awarded thereafter.
 

Certificate

A Certificate in Creative Web Design will be awarded to participants who successfully attend the relevant modules and complete all the projects with at least the minimum expected grades.
 

Course Duration

A total of seven (7) weeks

  • 2 weeks for the classroom modules.
  • 4 weeks for the online modules.
  • 1 week for the final project presentation.

Participation

  • Design firms and agencies who want to develop in-house web designers
  • Webmasters and officers in charge of company websites
  • Individuals wishing to develop or improve their creative skills in website design.

Course Fee

N90,000