CAPITAL HIGH SCHOOL
BUSINESS EDUCATION
DIGITAL DESIGN
CIP Code: 110820
Course Title: Digital Design A & B; 2A & 2B
Course Description: This course is designed for students to gain an introduction to the Adobe CS6 programs
Photoshop, Fireworks, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Flash, and InDesign. The programs are used for graphic enhancement,
web-page development, and animation. Students are expected to gain a working knowledge of the programs use in the
production of projects and websites for employers. Students will need an ability to work self-paced on projects and take
direction from an “employer”.
Purpose of Course: A preparatory course that focuses on introducing students to professional design, web-design and
web-authoring tools. Student projects range from online logos to electronic portfolios. Students work in teams to extend
their business communication and organization skills, building projects and websites for school and community clients.
Digital Design-based student work evolves in two directions: from personal tasks to work for clients, and from working
alone to working on a team. Student teams apply their growing design and technical expertise to develop increasingly
more sophisticated websites that meet client specifications.
Graduation Requirement: Elective course; fulfills .5 occupational education or fine arts credit each semester
Prerequisite:
None
Course Level: 9th to 12th grade
Class Fees:
None
Course Length: 180 hours (2 semesters) each course
SYLLABUS
Digital Design is a year-long, project-based curriculum that teaches the professional web design and development
process and career and communication skills in print and graphic design using Adobe CS6 tools. There are two threads
throughout the course: Visual Design and Web Design.
The Visual Design projects develop four key skill areas: project management and collaboration; design; research and
communication; and professional print production using graphic design tools. The Web Design projects also develop four
key skill areas: project management and collaboration; design; research and communication; and professional webauthoring tools. The course also focuses on key digital communication skills: design, communication, project
management and graphic and print technology.
Students develop these key skills in a spiral--each project adds more challenging skills onto the foundation proficiencies.
This course addresses each of these areas using a project-based approach. Each project has phases that follow a design
and development process – from project planning to evaluation and launch. To simulate a professional work environment,
students gradually migrate their design work from an individual process to a group process. Information technology work
by its very nature is iterative, so the projects contain activities that require students to evaluate and then redesign and
rework their communications. Specific attention has been paid to developing concepts and principles for thorough,
effective design.
Digital Design is a foundational course for students in the Business and Marketing Pathway and prepares students for any
of the five career clusters (identified by the U.S. Department of Education States Career Clusters) in the Business and
Marketing Pathway. Specific learning standards are outlined in the framework. All of these tools will continue to be used
throughout the high school exploratory and preparatory sequence.
STANDARDS
Digital Design aligns with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) National Educational Technology
Standards (NETS) for Students (2007) as well as the new Adobe Certified Associate Web Communication and Rich
Media Communication objectives to prepare students for certification.
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COURSE OUTLINE
Integrated
Standards
Rules; Expectations; Introductions; Ergonomics
Career Development; Ethical Responsibilities; Leadership; Safety and Security;
Teamwork
1st YEAR:
Web Design: Foundations of Web Design
3-4 weeks
Widgets
In this project, students are introduced to web design principles, HTML, and
CSS. They use these new skills to customize an existing widget. Students also
learn about the phases of web production and about publishing web projects.
3-4 weeks
Web Design and Planning
In this project, student teams begin work on a project to build a website for a
client. They complete the define, structure, and design phases of the web
project production process. Students create wireframes, design comps,
storyboards, and a web site prototype.
4-6 weeks
Web Development and Deployment
In this project, student teams use their client-approved design documents for
the technical build of a website. They complete the build and test and launch
phases of the web project production process. Students extend their skills by
using HTML and CSS to build a functional client website.
2-3 days
Web Portfolios
In this project, students create the elements of a web portfolio with Adobe
Fireworks and Adobe Dreamweaver. They build a website that features work
they have completed and work to be completed. As students create their
portfolios, they plan, implement, and test their website designs; students then
reflect on and evaluate their work.
Visual Design: Foundations of Design and Print Production (Photography, Illustration & Basic Print Layout)
1 week
Collages and photography
Students gather images from multiple sources (including learning the basics of
photography) then modify and optimize these images to form a collage
1-2 weeks
Logos
Students analyze color theory and design principles used in logos then plan,
create, and build a logo
2-3 weeks
Business cards
Students create a business card, and in the process, they learn about
typography and layout design
3-4 weeks
Advertisements
Students are introduced to the process of working with a client through an
advertisement project
1-2 weeks
Portfolios
Students create a PDF portfolio that features completed work and a career
exploration
2nd YEAR:
Web Design: Foundations of Web Design
2-3 weeks
Interactive Games
In this project, students, working in teams, begin using Flash Professional to
create a simple interactive game with basic ActionScript 3.0. Students discover
ways to use rich media and animation created with Flash for gaming. They
develop skills evaluating effective uses of Flash on the web and in gaming,
learn about game design, and design and build an interactive game.
3-4 weeks
Digital Narrative
In this project, students use Flash Professional to create a digital narrative for
an existing website about a school club or sports team. Students discover how
to use techniques in Flash to create various film effects and then apply those
techniques to building a narrative. Students learn how rich media and animation
they can create with Flash improves digital communication.
3-4 weeks
Mobile Applications
In this project, students use Flash Professional to create a school information
application for mobile devices. Students will design and develop the home
page, news, campus map, and basic navigation elements of the application.
3-4 days
Final Web Portfolios
In this project, students update their web portfolios from Project 4. They build a
website that features work they have completed and work to be completed.
Students learn about potential careers in web design and development.
Visual Design: Foundations of Design and Print Production (Multi-Column & Multi-Page, Reusable Print Layouts)
3-4 weeks
Brochures
Students create a brochure, using advanced image manipulation techniques
and page layout design
3-4 weeks
Newsletters
Students work in teams to create the theme, purpose, and content of a
newsletter
3-4 weeks
Mini-yearbooks
Students form teams to develop and create a yearbook
2-3 weeks
Final portfolios
Students improve their portfolios from earlier and redesign them to better
address their overall future focus [may be used as their Culminating Project in
their Senior year]; students will present their portfolios
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GRADING SCALE
GRADE
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
F (Attempted)
F (Not done)
POINTS
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.3
1.7
1.3
1.0
0
0
PERCENT
92.5 - 100.00
90.0 - 92.49
86.5 - 89.99
82.5 - 86.49
80.0 - 82.49
76.5 - 79.99
72.5 - 76.49
70.0 - 72.49
66.5 - 69.99
60.0 - 66.49
0.0 - 59.99
0.0
GRADE SUMMARY
Based on a Total Points system
Leadership; Daily Assignments/projects; Quizzes; Tests; Final Portfolio
CLASSROOM RULES
 No eating or drinking in the classroom
 Be in class before the bell rings ready to work; CHS attendance policies will be followed
 Cheating/Plagiarism—All students involved - failure on assignment, referral to administration
 If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed (check class calendar on Skyward)
 You are allowed the number of days absent (ex.) plus one (+1) to turn in the missed work—work not turned in by
the deadline may receive a 0
 You are responsible for having read and knowing the information in the student handbook. In particular, note:
Tardy Policy (pg. 12)
Misconduct (pg. 13)
Personal Electronic Devices are prohibited during class time (pg. 15)
Computer Misuse (pg. 15)
Cheating/Plagiarism (pg. 15)
Profane Language & Bullying/Harassment (pg. 15)
CONTACT INFORMATION
 E-mail: amcfadden@osd.wednet.edu
 Phone: 360-596-8254 (message)
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