Module: Information Design

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).

As such, this is a point in time view of data which will be refreshed periodically. Some fields/data may not yet be available pending the completion of the full Coursebuilder upgrade and integration project. We will post status updates as they become available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Information Design
Module Code	CM143 (ITS) / MCO1006 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Communications
Module Co-ordinator	Dónal Mulligan
Module Teachers	Declan Tuite, Marcos Dias
NFQ level	6	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None
Array

Description

This module will develop a student centred approach to the technical knowledge and control of publishing to an online medium. This module will focus on end-user consideration and adding functionality to live web sites.Special attention will be paid to core and common objects and functions that will allow scalability & re-use. Site maintenance and structure will be focused on and methods introduced to allow students to develop sites of a standard that can be published successfully and reliably to multiple browsers and platforms. The web as medium will be addressed, including concepts of working within an online environment, open source access to information, sharing of resources and utilising online and printed source material. All work produced by students will be presented and maintained as live sites, which will be both viewable and accessible by the public. The module will concentrate on the delivering online media to browsers and not the software used.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the architecture of a site.
2. Identify key concepts for syntax and semantics of a mix of contemporary languages ( HTML/CSS/XML/XHTML)
3. Plan and site for a profiled audience.
4. Choose the most appropriate technologies to produce a a site based on used considerations.
5. Develop a site that can be published successfully and reliably.
6. Code a site that works in multiple browsers and adheres to accessibility standards.
7. Develop and deliver a client focuses pitch.
8. Scope and scale a multimedia project regarding personnel, skills needed and time available.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	12	Lectures Theory / case study based
Lecture	24	LabLab session practice based, feedback and problem solving exercises
Independent Study	68	Independent learning time
Directed learning	25	Weekly class challange, problem solving exercises
Assignment Completion	40	Assignment one - static web site with original content
Assignment Completion	46	Assignment two- dynamic web site with original content
Assignment Completion	35	Presentation/ Pitch preparation and site surveys
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Understanding Page Structure
Basic HTML, How Links work, Elements of a page including space, text + fonts, forms, the browser - browser differences

Page Layout and Formatting
Structuring a page, styling a page, implementing CSS, colour on the web, using the CSS box model

User Considerations
Designing for a targeted audience, Accessibility, WAI standards, dealing with multiple platforms, Planning Nagivation

SIte Management:
Planning a site for scalability and usability, Site architecture, File Management, SEO- Search Engine Optimisation

Delivering on multiple devices
Planning for mobile, print and handheld devices, Designing for multiple resolution, responsive design

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Digital Project	Character Site - Portfolio Site	40%	Week 7
Group presentation	Group pitch for final website project	10%	Week 7
Digital Project	lifestyle or topical interests web site	50%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Duckett, John: 2011, HTML & CSS: Design and Build Web Sites, John Wiley & Sons,
Norman, Ben: 2007, Getting noticed on Google in easy steps: invaluable tips to increase your Website ranking on Google, In Easy Steps, Southam,
Krug, Steve: 2005, Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability, 2nd, New Riders Press,
Garrett, Jesse James: 2002, The Elements of User Experience: UserCentered Design for the Web, New Riders Press,
Castro, Elizabeth: 2006, HTML for WWW with XHTML and CSS, 6th,
Crawford Teague, Jason: 2003, DHTML and CSS of WWW, 2nd ed,
Cooper, Alan: 2005, The inmates are running the asylum,
Robert Bringhurst: 2002, The Elements of Typographic Style, Hartley & Marks Publishers,

Other Resources

25538, WebSite, wired.com, 2009, webmonkey, http://webmonkey.wired.com/webmonkey/, 25539, WebSite, webdeveloper.com, 2009, webdeveloper, http://www.webdeveloper.com, 25540, WebSite, htmlhelp, 2009, reference:css, http://www.htmlhelp.com/reference/css/, 25541, WebSite, www.w3.org, 2009, Styles, http://www.w3.org/Style/, 25542, WebSite, zengarden, 2009, CSS, http://www.csszengarden.com/,