Web Design 4

Graphic designers are hired for their creativity and their work quality. The first interaction potential employers have is through the designer’s online presence—most importantly, a portfolio website. Personal domain leasing, email address and server configuration, content management systems, web design platforms and peer reviews are some of the topics explored to launch a successful personal portfolio website.

• Launch an online personal, interactive portfolio website to help support industry job search
• Organize and plan the content for large-scale case studies of graphic design work to be presented in a personal portfolio
• Follow industry best practices to optimize the performance and accessibility of an online portfolio website

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Grading scheme

Exercises: 8 @ 5%
Assignments: 3 @ 10%
Projects: 1 @ 30%
= 100% (for 7-week portfolio course)

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Weekly outline

Week 1 — Introduction & your brand

• Slides: You, your brand & your portfolio
• Exercise: Portfolio inspiration (5%)
• Assignment: Personal brand (10%)

Week 2 — UX, visual design & patterns

• Slides: Why case studies?
• Exercise: Platforms & wireframes (5%)
• Assignment: UX & visual design document (20%)

Week 3 — Content wrangling & writing

• Activity: The web of text
• Exercise: Writing with personality (5%)
• Assignment: Portfolio pieces (10%)

Week 4 — Domains

• Slides: Domains & DNS
• Exercise: Setting up portfolio (5%)
• Assignment: Portfolio website (30%)

Week 5 — Full work period

• Full work period

Week 6 — Search engine optimization

• Slides: SEO & metadata
• Exercise: Writing titles, descriptions & keywords (5%)

Week 7 — Finalizing & teacher critiques

• Exercise: Browser testing (5%)
• Exercise: Accessibility testing (5%)
• Exercise: Performance testing (5%)