Web Design
and Usability Techniques
Course length: 2 days 
Course description
Overview: This course is designed for individuals getting started in Web
design and development, and focuses on creating static sites. Dynamic,
database-driven sites involve additional design approaches that are beyond the
scope of this course. However, the concepts in this course still apply to
dynamic content, since the focus is on what the user sees, rather than how the
content is generated. This course is designed for anyone interested in learning
some important principles of Web design that apply to just about any purpose or
theme. You will explore several pitfalls of Web design and how to avoid them,
and a variety of design tips and guidelines that you can use no matter what
your Web site project entails.
Prerequisites: To ensure your success, we strongly recommend that students taking
this course should have at least intermediate-level experience with
HTML, including tables and forms, and familiarity or experience with Cascading
Style Sheets (CSS). 
Software Training courses
such as Web Development with Cascading
Style Sheets, HTML 4 Web Authoring Level I and Technical Introduction to the Internet
teach these skills.
Delivery: Instructor-led, group-paced, classroom-delivery learning model
with structured hands-on activities.
Performance-based
objectives
Lesson objectives help
students become comfortable with the course, and also provide a means to
evaluate learning. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be
able to:
·
Identify common
problems in Web design.
·
Effectively plan
a Web site project.
·
Create designs
that focus vital content above the "fold".
·
Identify image
formats.
·
Use images
effectively.
·
Use color
effectively.
·
Recognize the
benefits of valid HTML 4.0 code.
·
Identify
structural problems.
·
Use server-side
includes to organize and maintain code templates.
·
Apply CSS styles
that break down gracefully.
·
Critique a site's
usability.
·
Apply techniques
that enhance usability.
·
Recognize
effective navigation techniques.
·
Create accessible
Web sites.
·
Design for
different monitor resolutions.
·
Use browser
detection scripts.
·
Publicize your
Web site.
·
Write effective meta content.
Course content
Lesson 1:
Overview
of Design Issues
Common
Problems in Web Design
Lesson 2:
Planning
a Site
The
Planning Phase
Choosing
a Site Metaphor
Content
Outlining and Storyboarding
Lesson 3:
Design
Guidelines
Choosing
a Design Approach
Using
Site Mock-ups
Page
Design Considerations
Lesson 4:
Effective
Use of Images
Choosing
the Right Image Format
Optimizing
Graphics
Lesson 5:
Effective
Use of Color
Color
101
Color
and Design
Lesson 6:
Writing
Good Code
Authoring
with HTML 4.01
Validating
Your Code
Organization
and Maintenance Techniques
Lesson 7:
Safe
CSS
Styles
that Break Down Gracefully
Web
Typography with CSS
Lesson 8:
Creating
Usable Sites
Principles
of Usability
Simple
Usability Techniques
Designing
Effective Navigation
Lesson 9:
Accessibility
Creating
Accessible Sites
HTML
and CSS Accessibility Techniques
Lesson 10:
Dealing
with Browser Incompatibilities
Browser
and Platform Issues
Using
Browser Detection Scripts
Lesson 11:
Publicizing
Your Web Site
Promoting
Your Site:
Lesson 12:
Review
Apply
Your Knowledge
Appendix A: Quick Reference