How can you draw on your foundations in graphic design to make reading experiences for the screen? What aspects of the craft translate, and what needs fresh exploration? This class covers basic HTML/CSS, wireframes, and flow diagrams, but it is not just about designing and coding a website. Rather, we will employ “the screen” as a playground/springboard for a broader inquiry into deeper editorial design concepts.

This class is a studio, and also includes some lectures and seminar-oriented discussions. It raises critical questions like: What are the core components of a story, and how do they manifest across different screen environments? What are the needs and expectations of digital readers/viewers, and what tools and techniques do we designers have at our disposal to both serve and stir them? Where is the overlap between reader experience and user experience, between graphic design and product design, between “the screen” and any surface at all?

The big questions

Readings

Designing the Editorial Experience by Sue Apfelbaum & Juliette Cezzar

Not required:

Guide to Journalism and Design by Heather Chapman

Designing News by Francesco Franchi

HTML5 for Web Designers by Jeremy Keith

CSS3 for Web Designers by Dan Cederholm

Goals and Outcomes

By the end of the semester, you will engage in a series of form-led studies through coding. In addition — through wireframing, visual presentation, and discussion — you will engage in conceptual investigations about how to design and rethink editorial experiences in today’s evolving digital landscape. Along the way, you will learn not only the challenges that editorial web designers and digital storytellers in the industry face today. You will make work that probes how designers should continue to re-think and re-assert their practice, whatever the future brings.

Grade Calculation

• Timely completion of all assignments – 20%
• Midterm project – completion, process, product – 10%
• Final project – completion, process, product – 10%
• Timely attendance & participation – 20%
• Quality of work & understanding of concepts – 20%
• Effort & growth over the semester – 20%

Grading Criteria

• F – Frequently late and/or absent. Insufficient pariticpation. Shows little to no accomplishment in class skill-sets and core concepts.
• D – Occasional lateness and more than one unexcused absence. Demonstrates an under-developed sense of class skill-sets and core concepts.
• C – Occasional lateness. Demonstrates the basic, obligatory proficiency in class skill-sets and understanding of core concepts. Fails to take risks. Does not initiate participation in class discussions.
• B – Always present. Work is in on time. Demonstrates a solid proficiency in class skill-sets, pays attention to detail, and proves an understanding of core concepts. Delivers thoughtful work and quality formal design. Takes risks. Makes interesting contributions to the class discussions.
• A – Always present. Work is in on time. Demonstrates excellence in class skill-sets, pays impressive attention to detail, and shows an in-depth understanding of core concepts. Delivers intelligent work and high-quality formal design. Takes risks and finds solutions. Helps to lead and facilitate class discussions.

Class Policies

• Lateness and absence will affect your grade. All absences without a note from the doctor or the equivalent will count as unexcused. Three absences of any kind will automatically count as an F.
• risd Academic Code of Conduct
• risd Religion Policies
• risd Disability Services/Policies