This document provides information and instructions for creating a basic website as a class assignment. It discusses what web design is, why learning web design is useful, and outlines the process and steps for planning and building a simple website. Key requirements include creating a site with at least 4 pages using the Weebly website builder, including a biography page. The deadline is to have the site published online by the final exam class to present the work.

2. What is Web Design?
• Creating content for other users to see on the
Internet via a browser such as Firefox, IE or
Safari. Or, put simply, building a website. It
incorporates many different skills, including
technical know‐how, writing, graphic design,
photography, search engine optimization and
marketing

3. Why Learn Web Design?
• Increasingly, media and public relations companies expect
new hires to know the latest technologies and computer
skills, including web design. Almost all media outlets have a
strong web presence these days. Having a website is useful,
even if you don’t plan to become a journalist. Recent
surveys shows that many employers now do Internet
searches on prospective employees. If you build your own
website, you control what’s on it. So, you can use your
website as a positive marketing tool. And, if you do work in
the media, many editors will ask you to e‐mail your
application with links to your work samples. By posting
links to your blog and news videos on your website, you’ll
have your application materials readily accessible in one
place.

4. The Process
• Just as with making a news video, you can’t
just start making your website. You need to do
research and plan ahead. It’s a process
consisting of many steps.

5. Steps
• First, come up with an idea for your website.
Look around the web at other people’s websites.
• Decide what kind of content you want to include:
what information, what photos, links, etc.
• Next draw blueprint; sketch your concept on a
sheet of paper.
• Then assemble your content: write your text,
gather photos, etc.
• Finally, you’re ready to begin creating your
website.

6. What Content to Include?
• What content should you include on your
website? First decide whether you want your
website to be a personal website, a
professional website or a website for an
organization you’re involved with.

7. Types of Websites
• A personal webpage highlights your interests
and/or hobbies.
• A professional webpage focuses on your
prospective career, be it journalist, dancer, real
estate broker or something else. If you’re an
aspiring journalist for example, you might include
a bio, resume, links to work samples, etc.
• Your third option is to do a website about an
organization (such as your fraternity) or activity
(such as a movie) you’re involved with.

8. Assignment Requirements
• Regardless of which option you choose, your
website should contain at least four separate
webpages , including a biographical page (with at
least a 125‐word description of you or the
organization/activity) and a contact page. Other
pages could be a photo gallery, a resume, a page
dedicated to your passion or hobby, a page
featuring work sample or assignments you did for
class, etc. Of course, you may have more than
four webpages. Students who want to earn a
good grade will do more than the minimum
required.

9. The Tools
• For this assignment, you will need a computer
with Internet access, of course. You also may
purchase a domain name, if you want to (this
is optional and won’t impact your grade). And
you will use Weebly.com to construct the
website. You may also require the use of
PhotoShop or Fireworks to edit photos or
create graphics/art.

10. Sample Websites
• Community organization ...
http://www.suffolkexplorerspost410.com
• Student organization ... http://adelphirsa.com
• Student's website ...
http://www.caseyreporting.com
• Business website ... http://www.bowlsinc.com
• Professor’s website …
http://markgrabowski.com

11. Assignment Requirements
• First, you must make your website using Weebly.
Do not use another service or software.
• Second, your website must have at least four
separate webpages.
• Third, meet the deadline: you will present your
website to your professor and classmates during
our final exam class. Your website must be up
and accessible on the World Wide Web by the
time class begins or you will receive a zero for the
assignment.

12. Grading Rubric

13. Questions?
• Email Prof. Mark Grabowski at
grabowsm@stjohns.edu