CSC-PRG7925 - Web Design: Create, Code, and Launch
Course Description
Launch your journey into the world of web design and front-end development. This comprehensive, hands-on course introduces you to the principles, tools, and languages that power modern websites. You will learn how to plan, design, and build responsive, accessible, and visually engaging sites using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Through real projects, you will gain practical experience developing pages that look great on any device and perform seamlessly across browsers.
By the end of this course, you will have the foundational skills needed to create and publish your own website or continue toward a career in web development and design.
Course Outline
Getting Started
- Overview of Web Design roles and tools
- Understanding how the Web works (servers, browsers, URLs)
- Key concepts: responsive design, accessibility, and performance
HTML for Structure
- Creating web pages with HTML5
- Marking up text, images, links, and tables
- Building and styling forms for user input
- Embedding multimedia (audio, video, and iframes)
CSS for Presentation
- Introduction to Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
- Fonts, colors, backgrounds, and layout fundamentals
- Box model, positioning, Flexbox, and Grid systems
- Responsive web design techniques
- Transitions, animations, and modern CSS features
JavaScript for Interactivity
- Core JavaScript concepts: variables, functions, and loops
- Enhancing user interfaces with DOM manipulation and events
- Building interactivity and dynamic content
- Introduction to frameworks, libraries, and progressive web apps
Web Images
- Web image optimization and responsive image production
- Understanding file formats (PNG, JPEG, SVG, WebP)
- Working with scalable vector graphics (SVG)
Final Project
- Design, build, and publish your own responsive website using best practices
Learner Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify the roles, tools, and workflows involved in professional web design.
- Create structured web pages using HTML5 and semantic markup.
- Apply CSS to design visually appealing, accessible, and responsive layouts.
- Use JavaScript to add interactivity, handle user input, and modify webpage content dynamically.
- Optimize websites for speed, accessibility, and cross-device performance.
- Produce and manage web-ready images, including scalable vector graphics (SVG).
- Design and deploy a personal or portfolio website that demonstrates industry-standard web design practices.
Notes
Target Population:
This course is designed for:
- Beginners with little to no web design experience
- Graphic designers and marketing professionals seeking digital skills
- Career changers interested in web development or UX/UI design
- Small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to build or manage their own websites
Occupational Outlook:
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for Web Developers and Digital Designers is projected to grow 16% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Web professionals work in industries such as technology, marketing, media, education, and e-commerce, with median annual wages around $92,750 (BLS, 2023).
Graduates of this course will be prepared for entry-level roles such as:
- Web Designer
- Front-End Developer
- UI/UX Assistant
- Digital Content Specialist
Central Piedmont Community College Continuing Ed Certificate:
A certificate of completion for the class will be issued to participants with at least 80% attendance, class participation, and completion of hands-on practice and projects.
Industry Certification:
This course provides a strong foundation for pursuing certifications such as the Adobe Certified Professional in Web Authoring Using HTML and CSS, CIW Site Development Associate, and FreeCodeCamp Responsive Web Design Certificate. It also prepares students to advance toward credentials like the W3C Front-End Web Developer or Google UX Design Certificate, showcasing essential skills in modern, responsive web design and development.
Method of Instruction:
Blended learning with lectures, videos, class discussions, live demonstrations, hands-on exercises, and projects. Outside homework is assigned.
Evaluation:
Participation and completion of all skill lab practices are expected. Class attendance is required for successful completion.
- Class participation and attendance (50%)
- Projects/Competencies/Research (50%)
Prerequisites
Materials: This class does not include course materials.
Resources:
- Participants are required to have a laptop or desktop computer with a minimum 4GB ram, 256GB HD, Core i5. Recommended 8GB ram, 256GB SSD, Core i5.
- You must be able to download programming resources to your laptop/desktop for this class.
- Access to reliable internet as well as a camera, a headset, and preferably dual monitors.
Prerequisite knowledge:
- Basic computer literacy
- Familiarity with using a browser, text editor, and file management
- (No prior coding experience required.)
Recommendations
IMPORTANT: Make sure to have your network login, Microsoft authenticator, and student email before the first day of class.