You will also learn how to further customize their site with HTML, CSS, and PHP, three building blocks of the modern Web. This class will teach essential skills for designing and organizing their website, so you can create a site that is both visually distinctive and engaging. Over weekly assignments, you will develop an actual, live website from simple HTML to a full-featured site with galleries, analytics, social media integration, and other advanced features.
Schedule
This course is in adaptive mode and is open for enrollment.
Session 1: Introduction to the Web; Domains and Web hosting
How the Web works; domain names, servers, and hosting; how to choose a domain name, and purchasing your domain name and hosting.
Session 2: HTML5, CSS, PHP
HTML is the cornerstone of the Web. In this session, we will look at how HTML5 and CSS work in tandem to define the structure and style of a Web page. PHP is used to generate dynamic content.
Session 3: Managing Content with Wordpress
Installing a content management system on your site, and using it to build your site quickly and focus on the essentials of your site’s content and design.
Session 4: Design overview, content integration, information architecture, etc.
How design affects the interpretation of your website; Gestalt psychology and theories of visual perception; the Web design toolbox.
Session 5: Theming & Customization
Themes define the overall structure, organization, and visual identity of your site. In this session we discuss how to choose the right theme for your site, and using HTML, CSS, and PHP to customize your theme.
Session 6: Typography
Characteristics of text and fonts and their effect on Web design.
Session 7: Wordpress Plugins, Social Media, Analytics
Essential Wordpress plugins for further customizing and improving your site. How to integrate social media into your site, and using analytics to understand how visitors use your site.
Session 8: Advanced Web Development
Using advanced features of HTML, CSS, and PHP to give your site polish, style, and responsiveness.