Course Title: Design information architecture

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2014

Course Code: COSC5385C

Course Title: Design information architecture

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5218 - Diploma of Interactive Digital Media

Course Contact : Program Administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815

Course Contact Email:mcvet@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Jeanie Hague-Smith
Phone: 9925 4815
Email: jeanie.hague-smith@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 70

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit of competency is delivered in the class Web 1. This course introduces you to the basic principles of web design and production. You learn how to plan a website from proposal and site map through to visual treatment, content and site production. You learn the principles of content creation for the Web and gain an understanding of the principles of XHTML, CSS structure and styling, web protocols and data management. There is an emphasis on design including typography, color theory, principles of grid layout, positioning and measurement mapping.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	CUFDIG505A Design information architecture
Element:	1 Identify project requirements
Performance Criteria:	1. Discuss concepts with relevant personnel to ensure that design briefs are fully understood 2. Identify technical parameters of interactive media products, including delivery platform 3. Identify target audience characteristics 4. Identify content to be integrated into or generated by interactive media products
Element:	2 Classify and organise content.
Performance Criteria:	5. Research and select appropriate thesaurus and metadata standards if relevant 6. Organise content and construct a content inventory detailing levels of hierarchy using classification techniques 7. Assign labels to content that are appropriate and meaningful for target audiences 8. Identify content search requirements 9. Discuss proposed content classification with relevant personnel to ensure that it meets project requirements
Element:	3 Draft information architecture design specifications
Performance Criteria:	10. Sketch overall architecture showing the relationship between interactive content 11. Design forms that detail content input process if required 12. Specify search functionality and search return displays 13. Construct wire frame of the content architecture and navigation pathways 14.Write draft design specifications to include all relevant advice to development teams 15. Present draft design specifications for discussion with and feedback from other team members 16. Amend draft design specifications to accommodate feedback as required 17. Discuss final draft design specifications with clients to ensure designs are consistent with project requirements
Element:	4 Finalise information architecture designs.
Performance Criteria:	18. Conduct usability test using appropriate testing techniques 19. Incorporate design changes to information architecture in design specifications 20. Obtain final agreement from relevant personnel for finished design

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to develop documentation for information architecture and design and develop simple HTML websites.

Details of Learning Activities

In-class activities:
• teacher guided instruction
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• peer teaching
• presentations
• group discussion
• class exercises
• simulated workplace activities

Out-of-class activities:
• independent project based work
• online and other research
• independent study

Teaching Schedule

Week	Class content	Assessment deadlines	Elements
1	Introduction to course: Information Architecture Organisation and proper file naming conventions for web content. 01 Exercise: Setting up students RMIT website and uploading files via FTP Usability testing. Going through a website and testing its usability. Look at browser debugging through Firefox and chrome.		1, 2
2	02 Exercise: on coding a project web page using HTML only (home page only). Using headings, paragraphs, bolding, unordered lists and metadata standards. Introduce class assignment 01: Creating Sketches/Wireframes/Sitemap for Typofile website.	Formative Assessment 01: User testing of a website.	1,2,4
3	03 Exercise: on coding a project webpage using HTML and CSS (home page only). Saving Images for the web. Uploading via FTP		1
4	04 Exercise: on coding a project webpage using HTML and CSS (home page only). Adding images, background repeats. Uploading via FT	Formative Assessment 02: Creating Sketches/Wireframes/Sitemap for a website.	1,2,3,4
5	Work through Photoshop mockup and design specification document 05 Exercise: on coding a web page using HTML and CSS (home page) absolute positioning and divs.		1, 3
6	06 Exercise: on coding a webpage using HTML and CSS (home page) . Adding navigation.		1, 2
7	07 Exercise: on coding a webpage using HTML and CSS (home page) Links Linking pages		1,2
8	Introduction to the assessment of an organisational website project assessment. Briefing/groups organised Discuss what to be included in proposal document		1,3
9	Work on website proposal		1,2,3,4
10	Submit first draft and give feedback on student’s work.	Formative Assessment 03: Draft - Organisational website proposal document and presentation	1,2,3,4
11	Work on website proposal document		1, 2, 3, 4
12	Proposal document submission and presentation - feedback	Formative Assessment 04: Final organisational website proposal document and presentation	1,2,3,4
13	Website development		1,2,3
14	Website development	Summative Assessment 05: Website Design 1 - Submit coded organisational HTML/CSS organisational website	1,2,3
15	Website development troubleshooting - How to make your site responsive.		1,2,3,4
16	Website development links for next level coding successful web sites		1, 2, 3, 4

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

No prescribed texts
Make use of RMIT’s library http://www.w3schools.com/html/default.asp

References

You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information. Adobe Creative Team, Adobe CS6 Dreamweaver Classroom in a Book Lynda.com

You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information.
Adobe Creative Team, Adobe CS6 Dreamweaver Classroom in a Book
Lynda.com

Other Resources

Portable HD or Flash Drive
Headphones
Pens/ink pens
Paper
Eraser
Sketchbook
Digital Camera

Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, practical project work and through the application of learned skills.

Assessment Tasks

For further information on the grading system and criteria used, please refer to the course blackboard site.

FORMATIVE ASSESMENT TASKS

1. Formative Assessment: User testing of a website - Due week 2

2. Formative Assessment: Creating Sketches/Wireframes/Sitemap for a website - Due week 4

3. Formative Assessment: Draft - Organisational website proposal document and presentation - Due week 10

4. Formative Assessment: Final organisational website proposal document and presentation - Due week 12

SUMMATIVE ASSESMENT TASKS

5. Summative Assessment: Website Design 1 - Submit coded organisational HTML/CSS organisational website - Due week 14

For further details on assessment tasks visit Blackboard

Grades used in this unit are as follows:

CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved - Graded
NYC Not yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for Assessment

Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available through the course contact in Program administration.

Other Information

Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that students attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.

Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.

Feedback
You will receive spoken and written feedback from teachers on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback will also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Student feedback at RMIT

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Student progress policy

Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. You can apply in writing for up to a week’s extension from your course teacher. If you need a longer extension, you wil need to apply for special consideration. Special consideration, appeals and discipline

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity

Work Placement:
It is a requirement of this program that all students participate in authentic work related tasks. These may be either simulated or in a real work environment. On occasion, we are approached by industry and given opportunities for students to apply for short term placements. When these placement opportunities arise, students are required to negotiate the specific details with the relevant program coordinator or teacher. All industry placements require students, RMIT staff and host organisations to sign a written agreement prior to the commencement of the placement.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview

Course Title: Design information architecture

Part B: Course Detail

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