Week 1

Jan 19–Jan 25
Thu, Jan 22
Project 1
Class Introductions
Lecture: A (brief) history of the internet, and a look at some various use cases of websites online.
Activity: Introductions and discussion: Your life online.
Homework:
Exercise 1: Favorite & Least Favorite Sites
Post your least favorite and most favorite websites to the class Discord. Be prepared to discuss your choices with the class next meeting.
Due: Tue, Jan 27
Project 1, Phase 1: Design Proposal
Project 1 Brief: Design and build a website that presents multiple texts in a non-linear reading experience. Identify meaningful cross-linking relationships within the content and develop visual strategies to represent these connections. For Phase 1: Prepare a presentation exploring two different collections of texts you're interested in developing. For each concept, include your vision for typography, layout, and overall visual identity, as well as at least 10 example websites with specific aspects you'd like to take inspiration from, collected using are.na (https://www.are.na). Present your ideas as a slideshow for class critique.
Due: Tue, Jan 27

Week 2

Jan 26–Feb 1
Tue, Jan 27
Project 1
Interface?
Lecture: What is an interface? We'll unpack the meaning of the word and examine examples of interfaces that work—and some that don't.
Homework:
Project 1, Phase 2: Site Map
Create an interactive sitemap for your website, mapping out all the pages and how they connect to one another. Use Figma to build the interactions and any tools you're comfortable with for design sketches. Your sitemap should be shareable via link so we can navigate it together and provide real-time feedback. Post Figma link to class Discord.
Due: Thu, Jan 29
Exercise 2: 1:1 Website Recreation
Choose a website you love and recreate it pixel-perfect in Figma. You must use auto layout and maintain organized design in your Figma file. Post the link to your Figma file in the Discord channel.
Due: Thu, Jan 29
Due:
  • Exercise 1: Favorite & Least Favorite Sites
  • Project 1, Phase 1: Design Proposal
Thu, Jan 29
Project 1
Homework:
Register for Webflow Student Account
Sign up for a free Webflow student account at webflow.com/for/classroom. You'll need this for Project 2.
Due: Tue, Feb 3
Due:
  • Project 1, Phase 2: Site Map
  • Exercise 2: 1:1 Website Recreation

Week 3

Feb 2–Feb 8
Tue, Feb 3
Project 1
Homework:
Project 1, Phase 3: Design Site
Build the first live version of your website using code in the browser. Your site should be accessible via a shareable link, allowing for real-time review and feedback. Post the link in Discord.
Due: Thu, Feb 5
Exercise 3: Hello World
Create a hello world website introducing yourself. The website must have at least one hyperlink—this could link to favorite interests, or more in-depth pages that say more about you. Feel free to use your imagination! Note: the Wikipedia page on 'Hello, World!' has some interesting backstory and is worth checking out.
Due: Thu, Feb 5
Reading: The Woman Who Gave the Macintosh a Smile
Due: Thu, Feb 5
Due:
Thu, Feb 5
Project 1
Design Review
Activity: Blind read of each other's sites
Homework:
Project 1, Phase 4: Feedback & Iteration
Write a summary of the feedback you received during the blind read session. Identify key insights and implement changes based on that feedback into your project. Post your written response and updated site link in Discord.
Due: Tue, Feb 10
Due:
  • Project 1, Phase 3: Design Site
  • Exercise 3: Hello World
  • Reading: The Woman Who Gave the Macintosh a Smile

Week 4

Feb 9–Feb 15
Tue, Feb 10
Project 1
Responsive Design
Lecture: Designing for mobile: breakpoints, responsive layouts, and testing across devices.
Activity: Small group work sessions
Homework:
Project 1, Phase 5: Mobile Implementation
Implement mobile responsiveness with multiple breakpoints across your website. Post the link in Discord.
Due: Thu, Feb 12
Exercise 4: Easter Egg
Design an easter egg for your website—a hidden interaction, animation, or surprise for users to discover. Provide thoughtful documentation explaining your concept and how users can find it, along with a link to your site.
Due: Thu, Feb 12
Reading: What We've Learned from Dieter Rams
Due: Thu, Feb 12
Due:
  • Project 1, Phase 4: Feedback & Iteration
Thu, Feb 12
Project 1
Work Session
Activity: In-class work time and one-on-one feedback
Homework:
Project 1, Phase 6: Blind Read & Revisions
Participate in a second round of blind reads, reviewing both mobile and desktop views. Document the feedback you receive and implement revisions to refine your project. Post your written response and updated site link in Discord.
Due: Tue, Feb 17
Due:
  • Project 1, Phase 5: Mobile Implementation
  • Exercise 4: Easter Egg
  • Reading: What We've Learned from Dieter Rams

Week 5

Feb 16–Feb 22
Tue, Feb 17
Project 1
Blind Read
Activity: Blind Read: Students will test each other's websites and provide feedback on usability, clarity, and overall experience.
Homework:
Project 1: Final
Incorporate feedback from the blind read session and finalize your website for Thursday's critique. Submit thoughtful documentation explaining your design decisions along with a live link to your completed site.
Due: Thu, Feb 19
Exercise 5: Responsive Screensaver
Create a responsive 'screensaver'. You must use at least four elements that are animated, as well as four responsive states. Resources: CSS Animations, CSS Responsive Design.
Due: Thu, Feb 19
Due:
  • Project 1, Phase 6: Blind Read & Revisions
Thu, Feb 19
Project 1 Final / Project 2
Final Critique + Project 2 Intro + Webflow
Lecture: Project 2 Brief: Identify and think critically about collecting and arranging blocks of information—such as hyperlinks, images, text, or other media. Your task is to design and build a website that both houses this information and presents it through a clear, intentional system. The website must include at least 30 distinct instances of information, organized using a coherent component system. You must research at least one HTML element and make a deliberate, visible reference to that research within your site.

Introduction to Webflow: Getting started with the visual web builder.
Activity: Project 1: Final Critique
Homework:
Project 2, Phase 1: Design Proposals
Prepare a presentation with two distinct concepts for your collection. For each idea, describe what you are collecting, your vision for the visual direction including typography, color palette, layout, and interaction elements. Include reference imagery and inspiration. The class will help you determine which direction to pursue.
Due: Tue, Feb 24
Due:
  • Project 1: Final
  • Exercise 5: Responsive Screensaver

Week 6

Feb 23–Mar 1
Tue, Feb 24
Project 2
Intro to Webflow
Lecture: Introduction to Webflow: Getting started with the visual web builder. We'll cover the interface, basic layout tools, and how to think visually about code.
Homework:
Project 2, Phase 2: Collection & Research
Based on feedback from classmates, finalize your topic and begin collecting your information. Prepare a brief presentation of your findings including the content you've gathered and design refinements such as typeface, color palette, and layout decisions.
Due: Thu, Feb 26
Exercise 6: Event Listener
Create a website that responds to one of Brian Eno's Oblique Strategies. The website must include at least one event listener. Pick a strategy from the full list and interpret it through code. Post link to Discord. Resources: Introduction to Events, EventTarget: addEventListener().
Due: Thu, Feb 26
Reading: Charles Broskoski on Self-Discovery
Due: Thu, Feb 26
Due:
  • Project 2, Phase 1: Design Proposals
Thu, Feb 26
Project 2
Webflow CMS
Lecture: Webflow CMS: Setting up collections, designing with dynamic content, and building repeatable components.
Activity: Collection & research presentations
Homework:
Project 2, Phase 3: Homepage Prototype
Build a desktop-first prototype of your homepage in Figma, Webflow, or code. Focus on layout, typography, and core interactions. Also include a basic sitemap showing how pages will connect across your website.
Due: Tue, Mar 3
Due:
  • Project 2, Phase 2: Collection & Research
  • Exercise 6: Event Listener
  • Reading: Charles Broskoski on Self-Discovery

Week 7

Mar 2–Mar 8
Tue, Mar 3
Project 2
Mobile Design & Breakpoints
Lecture: Responsive design in Webflow: Working with breakpoints, mobile-first design principles, and adapting layouts across screen sizes.
Activity: Blind read of each other's sites
Homework:
Project 2, Phase 4: Design Refinements
Based on feedback from the blind read session, implement design refinements to your homepage. Additionally, incorporate at least one more page design into your site beyond the homepage.
Due: Thu, Mar 5
Exercise 7: Error Message
Design an error message for a website—this could be a 404 page, form validation error, or other error state. Post link to Discord.
Due: Thu, Mar 5
Due:
  • Project 2, Phase 3: Homepage Prototype
Thu, Mar 5
Project 2
Webflow Interactions
Lecture: Webflow Interactions: Exploring animation possibilities, scroll effects, hover states, and micro-interactions in Webflow.
Homework:
Project 2, Phase 5: Mobile Design
Create your first implementation or mockup of the mobile design for your site. Consider how your layout, typography, and interactions translate to smaller screens.
Due: Tue, Mar 10
Due:
  • Project 2, Phase 4: Design Refinements
  • Exercise 7: Error Message

Week 8

Mar 9–Mar 15
Tue, Mar 10
Project 2
Activity: Blind read of mobile designs
Homework:
Project 2, Phase 6: Design Refinements
Based on feedback from the mobile blind read session, implement design refinements across your site for both desktop and mobile views.
Due: Thu, Mar 12
Due:
  • Project 2, Phase 5: Mobile Design
Thu, Mar 12
Project 2
Activity: Individual meetings
Homework:
Project 2, Phase 7: Full Draft
Complete the first full draft of your website, including all pages, content, and responsive design across breakpoints.
Due: Tue, Mar 24
Due:
  • Project 2, Phase 6: Design Refinements

Spring Break

Mar 16–Mar 22
Mon, Mar 16
No Class
March 16–22

Week 9

Mar 23–Mar 29
Tue, Mar 24
Project 2
Activity: Blind reads
Homework:
Project 2, Phase 8: Peer Review
Write a detailed review of a randomly assigned classmate's website. Provide constructive feedback on design, usability, content organization, and responsiveness.
Due: Thu, Mar 26
Due:
  • Project 2, Phase 7: Full Draft
Thu, Mar 26
Project 2
Lecture: Guest Lecturer: Charles Broskoski
Activity: Student critiques with Charles Broskoski
Homework:
Project 2: Final
Incorporate feedback from critiques and finalize your website. Submit thoughtful documentation explaining your design decisions along with a live link to your completed site.
Due: Tue, Mar 31
Due:
  • Project 2, Phase 8: Peer Review

Week 10

Mar 30–Apr 5
Tue, Mar 31
Project 2 Final
Final Critique
Activity: Project 2: Final Critique
Homework:
Exercise 8: Data Visualization Research
Research and find one example of an interesting, well-executed data visualization and one that is poorly done. Post both examples to Discord with a brief explanation of what makes each effective or ineffective.
Due: Thu, Apr 2
Due:
  • Project 2: Final
Thu, Apr 2
Project 3
Project 3 Intro
Lecture: Project 3 Brief: Dynamic Systems – Design and build a website that responds to real-world data by incorporating beginner-friendly external APIs to drive interaction and content.
Homework:
Project 3, Phase 1: Design Proposals
Prepare a presentation with two distinct concepts for your dynamic system. For each idea, describe the data source or API you plan to use, your vision for how the data will influence the interface, and the overall visual direction. Include reference imagery and inspiration.

Helpful API resources: Open-Meteo Weather API, Airtable, Public APIs List, NASA Open APIs, The Color API, Quotable API, New York Times APIs, Google MediaPipe, ml5.js
Due: Tue, Apr 7
Due:
  • Exercise 8: Data Visualization Research

Week 11

Apr 6–Apr 12
Tue, Apr 7
Project 3
Homework:
Project 3, Phase 2: API Implementation
Create your first working implementation of your chosen API. Focus on successfully fetching and displaying data—this is about understanding how the API works, not final design. Be prepared to demo and discuss any challenges.
Due: Thu, Apr 9
Due:
  • Project 3, Phase 1: Design Proposals
Thu, Apr 9
Project 3
Homework:
Project 3, Phase 3: Design Draft
Create your first design draft for your dynamic system. This can be mocked up in Figma or coded—focus on layout, typography, and how the API data integrates into your visual design.
Due: Tue, Apr 14
Due:
  • Project 3, Phase 2: API Implementation

Week 12

Apr 13–Apr 19
Tue, Apr 14
Project 3
Activity: Blind read of sites
Homework:
Project 3, Phase 4: Revisions & Data Strategy
Incorporate feedback from the blind read into your revised site. Additionally, prepare a small presentation explaining how you plan to incorporate user data or real-world input into your site's design and functionality.
Due: Thu, Apr 16
Due:
  • Project 3, Phase 3: Design Draft
Thu, Apr 16
Project 3
Homework:
Project 3, Phase 5: Mobile Design
Create your first mobile implementation or mockup for your dynamic system. Consider how your layout, API data display, and interactions translate to smaller screens.
Due: Tue, Apr 21
Due:
  • Project 3, Phase 4: Revisions & Data Strategy

Week 13

Apr 20–Apr 26
Tue, Apr 21
Project 3
Homework:
Exercise 9: Everyday Object as Website
Rethink an everyday object and reimagine it as a website. This can be either practical or experimental—consider how the object's function, form, or meaning could translate into a web experience. Post link to Discord.
Due: Thu, Apr 23
Due:
  • Project 3, Phase 5: Mobile Design
Thu, Apr 23
Project 3
Homework:
Project 3, Phase 6: Full Draft
Complete the first full draft of your website, including all pages, content, API integration, and responsive design. Be prepared for a cold read and class review.
Due: Tue, Apr 28
Due:
  • Exercise 9: Everyday Object as Website

Week 14

Apr 27–May 3
Tue, Apr 28
Project 3
Activity: Website reviews for feedback
Homework:
Project 3: Final
Incorporate feedback from reviews and finalize your website. Submit thoughtful documentation explaining your design decisions along with a live link to your completed site.
Due: Thu, Apr 30
Due:
  • Project 3, Phase 6: Full Draft
Thu, Apr 30
Project 3 Final
Final Critique
Activity: Project 3: Final Critique
Due:
  • Project 3: Final

Week 15

May 4–May 10
Tue, May 5
Thu, May 7

Week 16

May 11–May 17
Tue, May 12
Thu, May 14