Interface design 07/SP
Russet Lederman <russet@mfaca.sva.edu>
Syllabus || Course Description:


This course will introduce students to the major issues in designing a screen based interface: typography, image use, navigation, optimization and organization of data. Photoshop, HTML and Flash will be used as the primary tool to create the assignments. The primary focus of this course is interface design. It is not a "tech course." However, when appropriate, a review of basic technical concepts will also be covered. In addition, guest lecturers and professional visits will be organized.

Students will be required to complete the following assignments in this course:

5 short screen based interface assignments

Class Requirements

This class is structured as a workshop/seminar. You are expected to develop your interface design skills, reflect on the readings and participate in class. Each assignment will address different interface concerns. Assignments will alternately explore fine art and design issues and may be done with whatever software/programming language the student wishes -- They do not have to be functional. Our primary concern is the structure and "look and feel' of the solutions presented. Extra consideration will be given if functionality is added. Your participation in the development and critique of all projects is critical.

Attendance is required. Students will not pass if they have more than 2 absences. Repeated lateness will adversely affect your grade.

Please note the syllabus may change depending on the needs of the class.

Grading

50% Design of project, including ideas and presentation
40% Participation/Readings
10% Attendance

Resources
Required Readings:

John Lenker
"Understanding What Motivates Online Behavior"
Train of Thoughts: Designing the Effective Web Experience
New Riders, Berkeley, CA: 2002.
PDF-1st part
PDF-2nd part
For Worst of the Web section

Ellen Lupton
"Text"
Thinking With Type: A Critical Guide For Designers, Writers, Editors + Students
Princeton Architectural Press, New York: 2004.
(xerox)
For Typography section

Lev Manovich
"Database" and "Navigable Space"
The Language of New Media
MIT Press, Cambridge, MA: 2001
(xerox)
For Dataspace section

Edward R. Tufte
"Macro/Micro Readings"
Envisioning Information
Graphics Press: Cheshire, CT: 1990.
(xerox)
For Dataspace section

Design Web sites
A List Apart
http://www.alistapart.com

Subtraction: Khoi Vinh's Blog on Web Design
http://www.subtraction.com

Interface Design
"practical tips for commercial sites"
see links on this site for other resources
http://www.edtech.vt.edu/edtech/id/interface/


HTML + CSS || Resources
Web sites
(note: some links might be outdated)

CSSEdit -- a css editor
HTMLdog.com
Webmaster World
Holy CSS Zeldman!
CSS Zen Garden
Web How-to Index to Quick Guides and Links for Advanced Web Authoring
WebMonkey: Authoring: HTML Basics
BareBones HTML
HTML: An Interactive Tutorial for Beginners
Basic HTML Formatting Tags

Flash || Resources
Flash Texts

Teach Yourself Visually: Flash MX
by Ruth Maran

ActionScripting in Flash MX
by Phillip Kerman

Macromedia Flash MX 2004 for Windows & Macintosh: Visual Quickstonart Guide
by Katherine Ulrich

Macromedia Flash MX 2004 : Training from the Source
by Jen deHaan

Macromedia Flash MX 2004 ActionScript
by Derek Franklin & Jobe Makar

Flash Support Web sites
(many of these sites were collected by Minki Park):

Macromedia's Flash Resources:
Support Center http://www.macromedia.com/support/flash/Documentation
(Manuals)http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flash/
Tutorials http://www.macromedia.com/support/flash/tutorial_index.html
Technote http://www.macromedia.com/support/flash/technotes.html
Developer Center http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/mx/flash/
Online Forums http://webforums.macromedia.com/flash/Flash

Tutorials & Resources:
http://flashkit.com
http://www.ultrashock.com
http://flash-db.com
http://actionscript-toolbox.com
http://www.were-here.com
http://phpforflash.com
http://flash-tools.com
http://www.actionscripts.org
http://www.flashguru.co.uk
http://flazoom.com
http://www.flash-game.net
http://tangible.new21.org
http://www.onrelease.org
http://www.flashloaded.com/
http://flash-mx.com/

Flash Design:
http://www.ultrashock.com
http://www.figoo.net
http://www.moluv.com
http://shift.jp.org
http://www.designiskinky.com
http://www.howdesign.com
http://www.thebestdesigns.com
http://www.favouritewebsiteawards.com
http://www.internettinyawards.com
http://www.flashforward2002.com

Flash Fonts:
http://miniml.com
http://www.fontsforflash.com
http://www.superlooper.de/
http://www.04.jp.org
http://www.orgdot.com/aliasfonts
http://www.romeorecords.co.uk/flashfonts
http://fontkitchen.com