SM5094 - Web Design (2025/26)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2025/26 | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Web Design | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Intermediate (05) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||||
| School | School of Computing and Digital Media | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||||
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| Running in 2025/26(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This module will examine the most up-to-date website design methods, focusing on a range of technical skills including basic text formatting, uploading images, grid design, graphic design, simple coding and user experience theory. It will discuss how the commercial needs and corporate identity of a website determines its look and feel and how this in turn influences the website's overall navigational structure, signposting, interactive buttons and call-to-actions. It will also discuss how website design needs to be flexible to incorporate third-party banner ads without disrupting the overall brand. The module will also analyse the landing page experience across different browsers and devices with the purpose of optimising the user experience. Students will also learn the importance of SEO (search engine optimisation), keywords, social media links and other ranking values in raising the profile and visibility of the website in search engines such as Google. Finally, students will analyse site metrics to understand how the website is performing, plus they will look at website security and protection.
This module aims to:
• Build a branded website.
• Examine and evaluate the major issues involved in cross-platform display on desktop, tablet and mobiles.
• Understand ergonomic principles for web design.
• Develop a simple and clear navigational structure.
Syllabus
Key concepts:
Web design trends
Visualisation
Wireframing
User-centred design
Button and navigational design
Basic coding and uploading
Typography
Multimedia web integration
Usability and cross-platform testing
Accessibility
SEO
Keywords
Security
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
This module will be delivered through a combination of modes of delivery, including formal lectures, seminars, workshops, and individual coursework. The mixed-mode module delivery will be used to encourage a supportive environment for individual and peer-group learning. A blended learning strategy will be employed to enhance the learning experience, facilitate communication between students and tutors and develop collaboration among students. The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE: Weblearn) will be used as a platform to support online activities including evaluation of online resources, access to materials and electronic reading packs. The VLE will also be used to facilitate assessment and related feedback, as well as a tool to integrate useful online learning materials provided by research institutions, academic publications, professional organisations and other relevant sources.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
Research current trends in web and mobile design and communicate design ideas through online visualisation and documentation (LO1).
Design and produce a website on a given theme compliant with web standards and current best practice in usability (LO2).
Apply techniques and design contexts to web and mobile creative web design process. (LO3).