According to recent research, online users say a website’s design is the number one criteria for deciding whether a company is credible or not. In this program, learn what it takes to produce an effective web design. You’ll discover the basics of web design using HTML and CSS (no prior knowledge of HTML or web design is required) and learn ways to enhance web pages with the use of page layout techniques, text formatting, graphics and images. You will also learn how to create effective and dynamic websites/applications and take away a functioning web application hosted on a web server that is both accessible and search engine optimized. Finally, you will learn about responsive design process, advanced layout and design features using the Bootstrap framework, and you’ll explore CMS frameworks and industry standard technologies and frameworks.
The Web Design Certificate is offered through our partner, Learning Resources Network, Inc. (aka UGotClass), and it’s composed of three one-month courses.
The Program
Introduction to Web Design - 16 hours
Unit 1 – Principles of Web Design
- Plan the structure of a website / file management
- Target your audience
- Designing effective web layout and navigation
Unit 2 – Structure vs. Presentation
- Introduction to HTML5 basic markup
- Introduction to CSS3 - linking and embedding stylesheets
Unit 3 – Web Graphics and Content
- Understanding web graphics
- Acquiring images / copyright law and graphics on the web
- Optimizing images
- Adding images to your web page
Unit 4 – Publishing Your Site
- Domain name registration / hosting services
- Finding the appropriate hosting space
- Publishing website using FTP-Client
Intermediate Web Design - 16 hours
Unit 1 - JavaScript
- Expressions and control flow
- Functions, objects, and arrays
- Form validation and error handling
- Accessing CSS from JavaScript
Unit 2 - MySQL
- Install a local testing server
- Use phpMyAdmin to create MySQL databases and manage users
- Create MySQL database tables with common field types and options
- Gain a working knowledge of most common MySQL statements
Unit 3 - PHP
- Structure
- Expressions and functions
- Objects and arrays
- Practical use
Unit 4 - Accessibility and Search Engine Optimization
- Accessibility guidelines
- Accessibility conformance
- Search engine optimization
Advanced Web Design - 16 hours
Unit 1 - Responsive Web Design
- Planning your layout
- Creating HTML containers, content, and links
Unit 2 - Responsive Web Design - Styling
- Creating and styling the layout with CSS
- Creating a menu system
- Styling headings, body text and footers
Unit 3 - Responsive Web Design – Styling the Navigation and Making Adjustments
- Making layout adjustments for different screen sizes
- Swapping high-resolution graphics for Retina displays
- Making sure content is printable
- Where to go for more information
Unit 4 - Responsive Web Design / Additional Frameworks
- What is Bootstrap?
- Creating a basic template
- Reviewing basic styles and typography
- Where to go for more information