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What program options are available in Web Design & Development?
SAU Tech is not your typical "Community College". Our mission and vision are based on providing the essential, in-demand skills required by a greater percentage of employers, forecast out two years by providing an AAS Degree. But, we do get students that attend for only one or two classes or elect to pursue a one year Technical Certificate. The choice is really yours, we can provide the educational training. Take a look at our Web Design & Development Course Descriptions.
How difficult is the Web Design & Development program?
What's that old cliche? "Anything worth doing, is worth doing well (and working hard at)!" I won't kid you, the Web Design & Development program is one of the most challenging degree plans we have at SAU Tech. Why? Because jobs in this field can cover such a wide variety of technologies, project details and communicative challenges. You have to be provided a wide, varied and relevant amount of material in a short two years to be prepared to compete for an entry-level job. You will also take courses in Film & Video Production and Graphic Design as part of this program.
Numerous course lessons are taught in serial fashion, so, missing just one or two classes can quickly create a backlog of project/homework and/or academics. Many of your labs will be Instructor-led and project-based. You must maintain a good attendance record to gain insights into additional tips and techniques, not covered in a textbook or handout and to obtain a good grade.
Do I have to know how to program computer code?
Well, it helps to form a foundation of logical thinking and problem-solving. But, we start slow and build a foundation over the first year in both the logical and creative realms. If you keep a positive attitude, ask questions, are fairly proficient at typing and are prepared to learn/practice the concepts and structures of web coding (scripting), graphic design and basic Film & Video Production techniques you should be just fine!
Do I have to have better than average digital design or Film & Video Production skills?
It helps, but is not mandatory. Again, you will take a couple of courses in Graphic Design and Film & Video Production to practice and develop a solid understanding of creative processes in a rich, Multimedia environment -- specifically, website design AND development.
What can I expect to learn in Web Design & Development?
Depending on whether you are pursuing a single course, Technical Certificate or complete AAS Degree, your program varies. For an AAS, you will focus on the following technical and management areas:
- HTML/XHTML fundamentals
- Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
- Advanced Web Design (multiple technologies in a project-based scope)
- Active Server Pages (ASP) (This may change to .net or AJAX in the future)
- ColdFusion
- Access, SQL Server and mySQL Databases
- JavaScript
- Photoshop (Color, Shape, Usability/Interface Design, Layout, Optimization for the web, etc.)
- Illustrator (Vector graphics)
- Flash (Fundamental Digital Animation and ActionScript)
- Advanced Flash (Project based and ActionScript intensive)
- Fundamental Film & Video Production
- Film & Video Production Compression for the web
- User Interface Engineering (to include Usability issues)
- Project Management (primarily administrative and communication)
Technical Certificate candidates will take a portion of these classes. Contact the Web Design & Development Instructor for further details.
As some students don't have funding and/or computers capable of supporting the software and hardware needed for this program, we offer Multimedia lab time Monday - Thursday (times will be posted in the Multimedia department when the term starts). There will be assignments given that must be completed outside of normal class time. You can also practice or schedule additional tutoring/mentoring during these times.
Can I use a laptop in my classes? What types of software or hardware will I need if I want to set up my home computer for my classes?
Yes, you can use a laptop, but we have restrictions that we will discuss on the first day of classes and you must own fully licensed versions of all software (no commercial work shall be accomplished on school computers or with academic versions of software). Hardware and Software will vary each semester as program requirements dictate, but generally, the following is consistent:
HARDWARE:
- PC's recommended. We have Mac's and a RedHat Linux box, but they are primarily used for your Graphic Design, Film & Video Production and other things.
- 1.2 gHz processor minimum
- 512 MB RAM (min), 1GB RAM (recommended)
- CD-ROM (with burning software for CD-R)
- Ethernet LAN port (for those bringing laptops, restriction will be discussed during the first class session)
- Mouse
- 15" monitor (min), 17"+ (recommended) for multiple application space
- USB (type 2) port
- Flash (Jump or Pen) Drive for project backups
SOFTWARE:
- Microsoft Windows XP Pro (XP Home does not come with IIS software (required on port 80 for ASP class).
- Microsoft Office Pro (Outlook, Excel, Word and Access database software needed -- we don't do PowerPoint :-)
- Adobe Flash 8 Pro
- Adobe Dreamweaver MX2004 or 8
- Adobe Photoshop CS2
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe ColdFusion 7 Developer Edition (port 8500)
- Internet Explorer (IE) 6.02+, SP2. Fall 2006 classes will begin browser testing on IE 7, BETA 2 as well.
- Mozilla Firefox
- Mozilla Web Browser
- Mac cross-browser site checking will be accomplished via IE and Safari.
- Local Mail Server (setup and ports will be discussed in class to avoid interference with your real mail settings).
- Sorenson Squeeze 4.2
- Apple QuickTime Pro
- Sony Acid Pro
- Updated Virus Scanning software
What types of jobs are available to a graduate?
Try searching for the following in any search engine: webmaster, web developer, web designer, Flash developer and numerous other web design and development combinations. In addition, SAU Tech offers Career Counseling to students in transitional periods. A recent graduate is now working for Alltel Communications as a ColdFusion Developer.
Do you offer Web Design & Development Internships?
Occasionally, we do offer in-house opportunities. We attempt to get active projects for real clients as they become available. We do not directly compete with similar businesses in our area, but use these opportunities for educational and portfolio benefit for our students. Many students, after their first year, seek out clients to do small projects for (within their capabilities) as independent consultants. This definitely helps your digital portfolio and in your job search!
Can I take my Multimedia Web Design & Development AAS degree and pursue a transfer Bachelor's degree or get a Certificate or AAS Degree in another Multimedia program area?
- We are taking a look at transfer programs for students of this program. Web Design & Development (and it's various mutations) is coming to the forefront as an in-demand career, therefore you will be seeing a greater number of institutions offering Bachelor degrees or redesigning Mass Communications degrees. In addition, there are a number of viable certifications that we are researching. Please check this FAQ page or our News & Events page frequently for updates. Most importantly, do your research as you plan your educational path.
- You can pursue a Technical Certificate in another Multimedia program area. Please contact SAU Tech Career Services for additional information or to schedule a plan counseling session.
- Because the AAS degree in Multimedia is designed as a general degree with an emphasis area (program), only one AAS degree can be obtained.
Can I take any online courses in Web Design & Development?
Only your basic (General Ed.) classes and one Multimedia-related course, "Intro. to Multimedia". Web Design & Development, by it's nature requires specialized software (and in some cases hardware). It is extremely difficult to ensure that all students have their computer configured correctly and that their software is versioned to the same level as in-residence courses. We are constantly revisiting this question, so if the administrative and technical details can be worked out, you never know!
What makes SAU Tech's Multimedia Web Design & Development program unique?
The Web Design & Development program was developed from the ground up after researching a number of statistics and from John's broad industry experience. John stays on top of industry trends through a number of reliable methods, so you can be assured that you are learning relevant material that will still be relevant when you graduate in two years. The fit with our Graphic Design and Film & Video Production program is exceptional as "Multimedia" technologies are converging extremely fast. You will take courses in Graphic Design and Film & Video Production as a web student -- hint, it's Web Design and Development.
Although we can't teach all that you will need to know in a short two years, we attempt to offer the broadest possible offerings of popular entry-level skills that will get you a job or perhaps bring you up to speed on the latest in a specific area. Many institutions offer courses in Web Design & Development, but fall short when it comes to either Instructor experience and/or targeted, real-world relevancy. We have the latest versions of software and great platforms (workstations and servers) on which to learn your craft. John is approachable because our class sizes don't generally exceed 24 in number. If they do, which they can do, we will split up into a second session to manage average student need.