DMD1070: Foundations of Web Design
Open and Hackable Web Design Curriculum
DMD1070: Foundations of Web Design
Open and Hackable Web Design Curriculum
DMD1070: Foundations of Web Design is a comprehensive, open-source web design curriculum created for the University of Connecticut – Stamford. This major educational contribution demonstrates expertise in curriculum development, modern web design pedagogy, and commitment to open educational resources.
Educational Philosophy
Built with the philosophy that web education should be open, accessible, and collaborative, the entire curriculum is available on GitHub under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licensing. The course accepts community contributions and represents a pioneering approach to hackable, community-driven educational content.
Comprehensive Curriculum Structure
The course guides students through the complete process of planning, designing, and implementing their first website through structured, progressive learning:
Core Topics Covered:
- Web fundamentals and history
- HTML structure and semantics
- CSS styling and layout techniques
- Typography and visual design principles
- Responsive web design and mobile-first approach
- Web design process and user-centered design
- Portfolio development and professional presentation
- Accessibility and web standards
- Modern development workflows
Key Features
Complete Semester-Long Program:
- Interactive presentations and hands-on exercises
- Progressive skill building from fundamentals to advanced concepts
- Real-world portfolio project as capstone experience
- Emphasis on accessibility, responsive design, and web standards
Open Educational Resources:
- Creative Commons licensing ensures long-term availability
- Community-contributable content encourages collaboration
- GitHub-based development promotes transparency and version control
- Built with Jekyll for sustainable, maintainable educational content
Modern Pedagogy:
- Project-based learning with practical application
- Interactive presentations that engage students
- Hands-on exercises that reinforce learning
- Portfolio development that builds professional skills
Academic Impact
This university-level curriculum showcases both my technical and pedagogical expertise as both a practitioner and educator at the institutional level. The comprehensive scope and open-source approach contribute to the broader movement toward accessible, collaborative education in web design and development.
Technical Implementation
- Platform: Jekyll static site generator
- Hosting: GitHub Pages for reliable, free hosting
- License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
- Institution: University of Connecticut – Stamford
- Status: Active open-source curriculum with ongoing community contributions
Resources
- Course Website: Complete curriculum with lessons, exercises, and resources
- GitHub Repository: Source code, contributions, and development
- University Program: University of Connecticut – Stamford
Impact Statement
DMD1070 represents my significant contribution to open education that bridges academic rigor with practical application. By making a complete university-level web design curriculum freely available and community-contributed, I’ve demonstrated leadership in educational innovation and my commitment to accessible, high-quality web design education. The comprehensive curriculum serves as both a teaching resource and a model for open educational practices in technical education.