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Unit outline_

DECO1016: Introduction to Web Design

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit introduces students to the web technologies they will need to design and prototype web-based user interfaces. In this unit students will prototype screen-based designs using scripting and markup languages such as HTML, CSS. This unit provides foundational skills in web-design that can be used to implement and communicate design ideas using various media and platforms, such as desktop computers and mobile devices. On completion of this subject students will be able to program dynamic web-based user interfaces and interactive designs. Students will engage with principles of web layout and common design patterns used in web-based interfaces.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Design Lab
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
DECO1012
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
DECO2102
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rob Dongas, robert.dongas@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Web prototype
Design
30% STUVAC
Due date: 21 Nov 2021 at 23:59
20 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5
Online task Tutorial Task 1
HTML Page Development
10% Week 03
Due date: 24 Aug 2021 at 23:59
2 Hours
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Assignment Creative coding challenges
Design
20% Week 05
Due date: 12 Sep 2021 at 23:59
10 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4
Assignment Web design proposal
Presentation
30% Week 09
Due date: 17 Oct 2021 at 23:59
15 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Online task Tutorial Task 2
CSS Challenges
10% Week 11
Due date: 26 Oct 2021 at 23:59
2 Hours
Outcomes assessed: LO4

Assessment summary

  • Tutorial Task 1: Students will use their knowledge of HTML to develop an ‘about’ page describing themselves.
  • Creative coding challenges: Students will be designing an online learning exercise to be taught to Design Programming students. The “creative coding challenge” should be a short, interactive tutorial on a JavaScript topic of the students’ choosing. The challenge should demonstrate understanding of programming concepts and draw on personal interest as a designer, while also considering the educational experience of future students.
  • Tutorial Task 2: Students will attempt to solve several puzzles, requiring them to code the CSS animations for the given designs.
  • Web design proposal: Students will develop a web design proposal, presenting a full design solution to the given brief. The proposal should be a document displaying concept through a series of wireframes and mockups, which have been created using appropriate prototyping tools.
  • Web prototype: Students will implement their proposal as an interactive web prototype using the techniques and technologies introduced in the tutorials. The prototype should take the form of a usable prototype. Students are also required to submit a design rationale that contains screenshots of the web prototype and further reflections on any design changes and iterations made, based on feedback.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.

Credit

65 - 74

Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.

Pass

50 - 64

Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.

Fail

0 - 49

Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Mapping the web Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Web Coding: Syntax and Semantics Lecture (3 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 03 Content and Information Architecture Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Styling a Website Lecture (3 hr) LO4
Week 05 Design patterns and principles Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 06 Layout and Responsive Design Lecture (3 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 07 User Input and Interaction Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Proposals and Documentation Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 09 Prototyping and Testing Lecture (3 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 10 Transitions and Animations Lecture (3 hr) LO4
Week 11 Accessibility Considerations Lecture (3 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 12 Optimisation and Conversion Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 13 The Future of Web Lecture (3 hr) LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Attendance of all timetabled activities is mandatory. Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for each unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Unit Coordinator, Program Director or Associate Dean of Education.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. assess the structural and navigational requirements of web sites and mobile applications
  • LO2. conduct research to explore, inform and critique multiple perspectives on a design problem/solution
  • LO3. demonstrate a practical understanding and application of user interface design principles and methods, within an iterative, increasing-fidelity design process
  • LO4. develop web sites and mobile applications using modern web design techniques and technologies
  • LO5. evaluate the performance and user experience of a web design solution

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The assessment weightings and timings have been modified based on student feedback. The web design proposal has been changed to a presentation to more accurately represent industry practices.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.