Course Title: Design information architecture

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

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:

4 Finalise information architecture designs.

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Conduct usability test using appropriate testing techniques .
criteria
4.2 Incorporate design changes to information architecture in design specifications.

Element:

1 Identify project requirements

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Discuss concepts with relevant personnel to ensure that design briefs are fully understood.
1.2 Identify technical parameters of interactive media products, including delivery platform .
1.3 Identify target audience characteristics .
1.4 Identify content to be integrated into or generated by
interactive media products.

Element:

2 Classify and organise content.

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Research and select appropriate thesaurus and metadata standards if relevant.
2.2 Organise content and construct a content inventory detailing levels of hierarchy using classification techniques .
2.3 Assign labels to content that are appropriate and meaningful for target audiences.2.4 Identify content search requirements .
2.5 Discuss proposed content classification with relevant personnel to ensure that it meets project requirements .

Element:

3 Draft information architecture design specifications

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Sketch overall architecture showing the relationship between interactive content.
3.2 Design forms that detail content input process if required.
3.3 Specify search functionality and search return displays.
3.4 Construct wire frame of the content architecture and navigation pathways.
3.5 Write draft design specifications to include all relevant advice to development teams.
3.6 Present draft design specifications for discussion with and feedback from other team members.
3.7 Amend draft design specifications to accommodate feedback as required.
3.8 Discuss final draft design specifications with clients to ensure designs are consistent with project requirements.


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
CUFDIG505A
1

Introduction to course: Design Information Architecture (Web 1)
Organisation and proper file naming conventions for web content.
Exercise 1

Setting up web site structures using Dreamweaver
  • Setting up and publishing workflow on USB
  • Overview of uploading files via FTP and hosting -
  • House keeping, installing tools in browsers such as scrapbook, delicious, firebug and web developer tools.

 

1, 2
2

Exercise 2

  • on coding a project web page using HTML only (home page only). Using headings, paragraphs, bolding, unordered lists and metadata standards.
  • Assessment 01: Analysis and user testing of a website - completed in class.

Introduce Assessment 02: Creating Sketches/Wireframes/Sitemap for Typofile website. 

Assessment 01 (un-graded): analysis and user testing of a website. Completed in class. 1,2,4
3

Exercise 3

  • Coding a project webpage using HTML and CSS (home page only).
  • Saving Images for the web.
  • File sizes and types. Photoshop basics.
  • Wireframe examples.
  1, 2, 3
4

Exercise 4

  • Coding a project webpage using HTML and CSS (home page only). Adding images, background repeats.
  • Create Typofile website using Photoshop and Dreamweaver
Assessment 02 (un-graded): Typofile wireframes due 1,2,3,4
5 Exercise 5
  • Work through Photoshop mockup and design specification document
  • Coding a web page using HTML and CSS (home page) absolute positioning and divs
  1, 3
6

Exercise 6

  • Coding a webpage using HTML and CSS (home page) .
  • Adding navigation
  1, 2
7

Exercise 7

  • Coding a webpage using HTML and CSS (home page)
  • Links
  • Linking pages
  1, 2
8 Introduction to Assessment 3: Melbourne Laneways group project introduced
  • How to create a website proposal document.
  • Briefing/groups organised.
  • Discuss what to be included in proposal document & project breakdown.
  • Photo excursion. Group project:
    Groups formed.

 


 

1, 3
9 Work on website proposal   1, 2, 3, 4
10 Submit first draft and give feedback on student’s work. Assessment 3a (un-graded) due. Submit draft documentof 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

Assessment 3b (graded) due.
Final organisational website proposal document and presentation

1, 2, 3, 4
13 Website development
Create and code website
  1, 2, 3
14 Website development Assessment 4 (graded) due. Website Design - Submit coded organisational HTML/CSS organisational website (This is an Individual project) 1, 2, 3
15 Website development & troubleshooting   1, 2, 3, 4
16 Website testing.   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
 


Other Resources

  • Portable HD or Flash Drive
  • Headphones
  • Pens/ink pens
  • Paper
  • Eraser
  • Sketchbook
  • Digital Camera - week 8


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

<style type="text/css"> <!--{13919047168700}</style>To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessment to a satisfactory standard.
You will receive feedback on all assessment and once you have demonstrated competency, you will receive a grade for Assessment Task 3b and 4 (refer to MyRMIT for grading rubric).

UN-GRADED ASSESSMENT TASKS

1.  Assessment: Analysis and user testing of a website - Due week 2

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

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

 

GRADED ASSESSMENT TASKS

3b. Assessment: Final organisational website proposal document and presentation - Due week 12

4. 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

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: www.rmit.edu.au/students

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.


Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning (web link)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process through which people can gain entry to, or credit in, recognised courses based on competencies gained. The competencies may have been gained through experience in the workplace, in voluntary work, in social or domestic activities or through informal or formal training or other life experiences. Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) applies if a student has previously successfully completed the requirements of a unit of competency or module and is now required to be reassessed to ensure that the competency has been maintained.

Assessment and Feedback (web link)
You will receive verbal feedback during scheduled class times, and written feedback from teachers on your work . Where appropriate, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.


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


Special consideration for Late Submission (web link)
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 will need to apply for special consideration.


Academic Integrity and Plagiarism (web link)
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.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview