Project 4: Website

(Due by the end of the last lab)

150 points

For the Web Site Design project you must create a four page Web site. First sketch out a site map of what your ideal site would look like. You must then create a home page prototype in Photoshop. Then you will transfer that prototype  and create  at least three other pages for your site. Finally, you must complete a project brief. You will be evaluated both on the creativity of your idea and the effectiveness of your final product. Your complete Web site should be online by the end of your final lab.  Your project brief must also be handed in that class. ***Make sure the link to your Web site is included on the project brief.***

REQUIREMENTS:

• A site map of your ideal site.  This should be larger and more complicated than the site you will produce for class. Please highlight or circle the pages you will produce for class. 
• A prototype of your home page produced in Photoshop. File should be 955 x 600 pixels, 72 dpi, RGB. Save a Photoshop version (.psd), but hand in a flattened .jpg. Your home page should include a logo, navigation bar and some sort of site introduction. 
• A Web site uploaded to the Web. This site should include your homepage and at least three other pages for your site (such as page listing the various portfolios on your site, a page with a slideshow of your photo portfolio, an “About me” page, a page with your resume or a page of links to your blog, place you work for etc., or a Contact page.)  You may include a splash page, but that does not count as one of the four pages.
• Your site must be posted online in your astro.temple.edu space.
• By the end of your final class you will hand in your project brief and the link to your Web site.  The site must be uploaded to the Internet by the end of this class.

RUBRIC FOR GRADING:

Site map & Prototype: 50 points

Did the student include a sketch of a complete Web site?  Is the site well thought-out and logical?  Did the student hand in a .jpg prototype of their home page.  Does the home page include a logo, navigation and introduction to the site? Is the design clean and suitable for the subject matter? How creative is the design?

Project brief: 10 points

Does the student’s paper address who the target audience of the Web site is and how their site will communicate to that audience? Does the paper address all the elements of the project brief?

Technical Skills: 45 points

Does the student display an understanding of producing a website?  Websites should contain the following technical elements:

• At least four fully designed pages
• At least one multimedia element (Slideshow, video, music, etc.)
• At least one rollover image or buttons
• Working links (some can lead to blank pages)
• A navigation bar
• Formatted text
• A logo linking to the index page
• Photos or graphics
• Colors

Concept & Design: 45 points

Is the student’s Web site make sense?  Is it a usable product? Does the site’s layout make sense and pages follow in logical order? Is the material presented in a creative way? Were the basic elements of design (CRAP) utilized?

TECHNICAL NOTES:

• You MUST HAVE some sort of external memory (such as a memory stick or portable hard drive) in order to complete this assignment.

• Always keep all your photos and web pages in one folder so that your links do not break. DO NOT move them around after they have been linked to your website.

• Use the Help function in Dreamweaver if you are having problems. You can find further instruction at kelbytraining.com and Lynda.com.  You may find free basic instructions on YouTube. If you are very stuck, please e-mail me at fayemurman@gmail.com

• Building Web sites takes time.  You will almost definitely need to find time outside of class to complete this assignment.  Do not leave it to the last minute!!