Course Details

This class is designed for beginning users who want to learn the essentials of designing, building, and uploading their own websites from start to finish.

Prerequisites:  Basic computer skills; USB Flash drive (or some other means to bring your digital files); and a collection of photos, logos, and other artwork, ready for the web.

Here's what you'll learn:

• The basic language of the web as it relates to design
• The acronyms - HTML, CSS, FTP, URL: what they are and what they do
• What browsers are and how to design for multiple browsers without losing your mind
• How to buy a domain 
• Webhosts and domains and servers
• Setting up your webhosting account
• Creating usernames and passwords for multiple accounts (domain registration, hosting, FTP, etc.)
• Preparing images for the web (with Photoshop + ImageReady):
• Cropping, color correction and filters in photoshop.
• File formats (tiff, jpeg, gif, etc)
• Size matters (reducing file size without diminishing quality)
• Slices (How to turn a photograph into a webpage in a few simple steps)
• Working with text
• Creating graphic elements such as banners and backgrounds
• The basics of Dreamweaver: defining a local site, establishing a connection to your remote folder, and the remote folder (httpdocs, cgi, error_docs)
• Creating a temporary homepage, (i.e., "site coming soon")
• Creating a new HTML document
• Tables vs. layers, and how to convert them back and forth
• Editing modes: standard, expanded and layout
• How to set up multiple browsers to preview the page
• How to create links
• How to create borders
• How to import images and objects
• How to define page attributes (link colors, background images, etc.)
• How to create templates
• The basics of using Cascading Style sheets (CSS): how to set up style sheets, font options, creating borders
• How to create a Layout table: importing text in various formats, creating text from scratch
• How to create a professional-looking page of text
• How to add a title and headings
• How to create Ordered and Unordered Lists
• How to add Alternate Text to a Loading Picture
• How to wrap text around an image and change image alignment
• How to add more whitespace around an image
• How to import text (PDF's, Word, Text-only files)

Instructor Bio

Steven Scott's Courses

Steven Scott is a self-taught web and graphic designer, who had a 'blog' before they were called 'blogs.' In addition to freelance graphic design work, Steven has created websites for clients like Tom Brophy and A.T. Tramp Salon. He is proficient in Dreamweaver, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Flash, among many other programs.

Steven lives in Los Angeles. And he talks to his plants.

Testimonials

Steven Scott is a low-key, patient instructor in his web design class. This class helped me, previously illiterate in computers, to create my own professional website, a very exciting moment for me! His patience is enormous: the students' initial computer skills varied a lot, and Steven always helped each individual with just what that student needed. He helps students through free email consulting; and comes in and stays after class to give extra help to his students. Steven even helps you find a domain and a webhost. I highly recommend this exciting and stimulating class. -- Py Kim Conant, author of American Geisha: Asian Sex Secrets (Fall 2006), and creator of www.asianwomenssecrets.com


"I have to say I'm thrilled -- I've been talking about doing a website for at least three years, so even though I fought it every step of the way, I'm really glad I took the course. Thanks for your help and your great patience (you are very, very patient -- if the teaching thing doesn't work out, you can always train ferrets or rabid grizzly bears or other unruly animals -- it would surely be easier than a bunch of writers)." -- Liane Bonin, young adult novelist, journalist, and creator of www.lianebonin.com