Course Structure
Syllabus
Policies, expectations, schedule structure, grading, materials, and university resources for DSGN 300 Web Design Communications.
Roger Williams University
DSGN 300: Web Design Communications
Semester: Fall 2026
Credits: 3
Room: Humanities Building, 222 Studio
Schedule: Tuesday/Thursday, 12:00 PM – 1:50 PM
Semester Dates: August 26 – December 2, 2026
Prerequisites: DSGN 100, DSGN 110, DSGN 210
Instructor
Instructor: Erik Kowalski
Email: ekowalski@rwu.edu
Cell: 508.965.6642
Office: GHH 325 & Zoom
Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday, 9:00–9:30 AM and 11:20–11:50 AM; in person or Zoom. Additional appointments by request.
Preferred Contact: Please use Brightspace email. I typically respond within 24 hours Monday–Friday.
Course Description
Building upon skills acquired in prerequisites, this course requires students to translate problem-solving design skills to the user interface of websites. Students will begin with visual mockups and wireframes created in Figma, then move into building responsive websites using HTML, CSS, and the Bootstrap framework. Emphasis is placed on typography, usability, accessibility, and site architecture, culminating in a portfolio-ready final project: a live, hosted personal portfolio website.
Course Objectives
At the completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of web design principles.
- Produce visual mockups and prototypes in Figma.
- Write semantic, standards-compliant HTML for structuring content.
- Apply CSS for layout, color, typography, and responsive design.
- Implement Bootstrap framework features for professional responsiveness and interactivity.
- Develop effective site maps, information architecture, and wireframes.
- Design, build, and host a personal portfolio website with custom domain and hosting.
- Critically analyze websites for design, usability, and accessibility.
Course Structure
This is a studio course that meets twice per week. Sessions will mix lectures, demonstrations, design mockups, coding workshops, and critiques. Students should expect 8–12 hours of outside work per week on mockups, coding practice, research, and project refinement.
Students will progress through the full workflow:
- Wireframing & Mockups in Figma
- Front-end Coding with HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap
- Final Portfolio Website, hosted live online
Schedule of Class Meetings
This working calendar assumes a Tuesday/Thursday meeting pattern for Fall 2026. Project One launches on day one and runs in parallel with the HTML Resume assignment and Intro to HTML/CSS unit; once that unit wraps in mid-September, Project One becomes the sole studio focus through final critique. It accounts for October 13 following a Monday schedule and Thanksgiving week becoming independent final-project work time. Final exam timing may be adjusted once the official final exam schedule is available.
| Class | Date | Topics & Activities | Assignments / Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thu Aug 27 | Course intro; overview of web design; local tools; file structure; Figma workflow and wireframing basics | Assign: HTML Resume Page; Project 1 Launch: Photographer Portfolio (runs in parallel with HTML Resume/Intro HTML-CSS) |
| 2 | Tue Sep 1 | HTML document structure; headings, paragraphs, lists, and links | HTML structure exercise; Project 1: photographer research and goals/audience |
| 3 | Thu Sep 3 | Semantic HTML; accessibility basics; file paths | HTML Resume work session; Project 1: site map and content inventory |
| 4 | Tue Sep 8 | Publishing workflow; readable page structure; troubleshooting | HTML Resume checkpoint; Project 1 Checkpoint 1: goals/audience, site map, content hierarchy |
| 5 | Thu Sep 10 | CSS fundamentals; selectors, cascade, and inheritance | HTML Resume: publish to rwu.me; Project 1: wireframes underway |
| 6 | Tue Sep 15 | Typography for the web; spacing, hierarchy, and measure | Critique: HTML Resume; Project 1 Checkpoint 2: wireframes, type/color directions |
| 7 | Thu Sep 17 | Project 1 studio: rough layouts (mobile and desktop) in Figma | HTML Resume unit wraps; Project 1 becomes sole studio focus |
| 8 | Tue Sep 22 | Project 1 studio: prototyping and peer usability testing | Target critique window for Project 1 |
| 9 | Thu Sep 24 | Project 1: refinement and accessibility checks | Process feedback and revisions |
| 10 | Tue Sep 29 | Project 1: presentation prep and final polish | Pre-critique work session |
| 11 | Thu Oct 1 | Project 1: final critique and presentation | Final Critique: Project 1 (final clickable prototype due) |
| 12 | Tue Oct 6 | Bootstrap introduction; grid system; responsive patterns | Project 2 Launch |
| 13 | Thu Oct 8 | Bootstrap layout utilities; containers, rows, columns, spacing | Bootstrap exercise |
| — | Tue Oct 13 | No Tuesday class meeting: Monday schedule observed | Skip day |
| 14 | Thu Oct 15 | Bootstrap components; navbar, cards, accordion, forms | Midterm gradeable work should be submitted before Oct 16 |
| 15 | Tue Oct 20 | Bootstrap composition; responsive navigation and interaction states | Mid-critique: Project 2 |
| 16 | Thu Oct 22 | Project 2 refinement; accessibility and usability testing | Last day to drop with W is Oct 23 |
| 17 | Tue Oct 27 | Advanced Bootstrap patterns; framework customization | Process work due |
| 18 | Thu Oct 29 | Project 2 critique prep; code cleanup; presentation structure | Final Critique: Project 2 |
| 19 | Tue Nov 3 | Hosting, domains, deployment workflow; portfolio planning | Final Project launched |
| 20 | Thu Nov 5 | Portfolio information architecture; case-study content strategy | Portfolio content inventory |
| 21 | Tue Nov 10 | Portfolio wireframes and mockups in Figma | Critique 1 |
| 22 | Thu Nov 12 | Portfolio layout systems; responsive structure; navigation | Prototype checkpoint |
| 23 | Tue Nov 17 | Portfolio coding; content migration; visual refinement | Build checkpoint |
| 24 | Thu Nov 19 | Portfolio critique; usability testing; accessibility review | Pre-break critique |
| — | Tue Nov 24 | No class meeting: independent final-project work before Thanksgiving Break | Work on final project |
| — | Thu Nov 26 | No Thursday class meeting: Thanksgiving Break | Skip day |
| 25 | Tue Dec 1 | Final project presentations and portfolio review | Final Individual Web Presence due Dec 1 |
Summary of Deliverables and Timing
| Deliverable | Target Due Date |
|---|---|
| HTML Resume check-in (workshop-style, no formal due date) | Ongoing Aug 27 – Sep 15; publish to rwu.me |
| Project 1: Photographer Portfolio, Figma design | Launches Aug 27 (parallel with HTML Resume); Tue Sep 22 / Thu Oct 1 critique window |
| Group Project | Thu Nov 19 critique |
| Final Individual Web Presence | Tue Dec 1 final presentations |
Curriculum Sequence Notes
- Weeks 1–2: HTML foundations, Phoenix Code setup, and rwu.me hosting, running in parallel with Project 1's Figma launch, photographer research, and early wireframing.
- Week 3: HTML Resume checkpoint and CSS fundamentals begin alongside Project 1 Checkpoint 1 (goals, audience, site map).
- Week 4: Typography and the HTML Resume critique close out the HTML unit; Project 1 reaches Checkpoint 2 (wireframes, type/color) and shifts into full studio focus.
- Weeks 5–6: Project 1 becomes the sole studio focus — rough layouts, prototyping, peer testing, refinement, and final critique.
- Weeks 7–8: Flexbox and layout troubleshooting, then Bootstrap introduction.
- Weeks 9–11: Bootstrap components and the group project, moving between Figma planning and HTML/CSS/Bootstrap production.
- Weeks 12–14: Group project critique, final individual web presence, hosting, deployment, and portfolio presentation.
Important Fall 2026 Term Dates
These dates follow Roger Williams University’s published Academic Calendar for 2026–2027. Course-specific dates above may be adjusted once the final exam schedule is available.
| Date | Day | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 20/21 | Thu/Fri | August and International Orientation |
| Aug 22 | Sat | New Student Move-In Day |
| Aug 23–25 | Sun–Tue | Returning Student Halls open |
| Aug 24 | Mon | New Student Convocation at 3:30 PM |
| Aug 25 | Tue | Fall Faculty Conference at 8:30 AM |
| Aug 26 | Wed | First day of classes |
| Sep 2 | Wed | Last day to add a course without instructor permission |
| Sep 7 | Mon | Labor Day: no classes; all university offices closed |
| Sep 9 | Wed | Last day to add a course with instructor permission |
| Sep 9 | Wed | Last day to make meal plan changes/deletions by 4:00 PM |
| Sep 25 | Fri | Last day to drop a course without a W grade |
| Oct 12 | Mon | Fall Break: no classes; all university offices open |
| Oct 13 | Tue | Monday schedule observed; Monday classes meet |
| Oct 16 | Fri | Midterm grades due to Registrar’s Office |
| Oct 19 | Mon | Advisement period begins for winter and spring |
| Oct 23 | Fri | Last day to drop a course with a W grade |
| Nov 2 | Mon | Registration begins for winter and spring |
| Nov 11 | Wed | Veterans Day: no classes; all university offices closed |
| Nov 25–27 | Wed–Fri | Thanksgiving Break: no classes; all university offices closed |
| Nov 30 | Mon | Classes resume |
| Dec 2 | Wed | Last day of fall classes |
| Dec 3 | Thu | Reading Day |
| Dec 4 | Fri | Final examinations begin for day and evening classes |
| Dec 7–9 | Mon–Wed | Final examinations continue for day and evening classes |
| Dec 10 | Thu | Residence halls close at 9:00 AM |
| Dec 15 | Tue | Final grades due in the Registrar’s Office by 12:00 PM |
| Dec 15 | Tue | Incomplete grades from spring and summer convert to F |
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory. Three unexcused absences lower your grade one letter; six result in automatic failure. Chronic lateness or leaving early counts as absences. Only instructor-approved absences are excused.
Participation
Active engagement in studio work, critiques, and discussions is required. Professional conduct and constructive feedback are expected.
Assignments
- Deadlines are absolute; submit on time even if incomplete.
- Work submitted on time may be revised.
- All work for critique is due at the start of class.
- Plagiarism is prohibited and will be treated as an academic integrity violation.
- Notify the instructor if religious observances conflict with class or deadlines.
Grading
Projects are evaluated on process, research, originality, craftsmanship, and final presentation.
RWU Grading Scale:
A: 93–100 | A-: 90–92.9
B+: 87–89.9 | B: 83–86.9 | B-: 80–82.9
C+: 77–79.9 | C: 73–76.9 | C-: 70–72.9
D+: 67–69.9 | D: 63–66.9 | D-: 60–62.9
F: <60
Required Materials
- Laptop with code editor, Figma, and Adobe Creative Cloud: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign
- Sketchbook with removable pages
Academic Integrity & Intellectual Property
RWU policies apply: Academic Standards. Course materials are the instructor’s intellectual property and may not be shared without permission.
University Resources & Policies
Student Accessibility Services
RWU provides accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Contact SAS at sas@rwu.edu or 401-254-3841. SAS is located on the first floor of the University Library and is open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.
Tutoring Opportunities
The Tutoring Center is on the second floor of the Main Library. Walk-ins are welcome. WritingHelp email tutoring is also available. Hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM–8:00 PM, Friday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM, Sunday 5:00–8:00 PM. More info: rwu.edu/go/tutoring.
Title IX Policies
RWU prohibits sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual violence. Contact Title IX Coordinator Jennifer Stanley at jstanley@rwu.edu. Confidential resources include the Counseling Center at 401-254-3124 and Health Services at 401-254-3156.
Chosen Name Policy
RWU allows students to use a chosen name. Update via RogerCentral. For questions, contact Henley Ballou, Assistant Director of Queer & Trans Initiatives, at hballou@rwu.edu.
Intercultural Center & QTRAC
The Intercultural Center and QTRAC support diverse student identities, including LGBTQIA+ students. Contact Michael R. Walsh, Director of Student DEIB, at mwalsh@rwu.edu.
Mental Health & Wellness
Resources include the Office of Student & Family Assistance at 401-254-3042, Counseling Center at 401-254-3124, and Public Safety at 401-254-3333. For immediate help, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
Spiritual Life
RWU respects religious observances. Notify the instructor in advance for accommodations.
Emergency Procedures
RWU Alert notifies students in emergencies. Fire alarms mean proceed outside. Outdoor sirens mean proceed inside. Emergency contacts: 401-254-HELP (4357), Public Safety 401-254-3611, Health Services 401-254-3156, Facilities 401-254-3136, Counseling Center 401-254-3124. Call 911 in life-threatening emergencies.
COVID-19 Protocols
Mask wearing, especially N95/KN95 masks, is recommended indoors. RWU may reinstate mask requirements. Students are supported if they choose to mask.