Web Design: Strategy and Information Architecture

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/web-design-strategy

Introduction

# Course Review: Web Design: Strategy and Information Architecture on Coursera In the ever-evolving digital landscape, the ability to design compelling and user-centered websites is more crucial than ever. If you’re looking to dive into the foundational aspects of web design, the **Web Design: Strategy and Information Architecture** course on Coursera is a fantastic choice. This course provides a thorough grounding in the early user experience (UX) challenges that contribute to successful website design. ## Course Overview This course is meticulously structured to guide learners through the fundamental steps of designing an effective, contemporary, responsive website. It emphasizes research, planning, and structuring content, which are crucial components of the web design process. The course is particularly valuable for those who aspire to develop a comprehensive plan for a complex website. Throughout the course, participants will engage in a major project focused on creating a strategic plan for a website, which enables learners to apply theoretical principles in a practical context. The course combines informative lectures with hands-on assignments, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and intermediate learners in the field of web design. ## Syllabus Breakdown The course is segmented into several insightful modules: 1. **Course Overview**: The introductory module sets the tone, outlining the course expectations and assignments. You’ll be introduced to the vital concept of user experience (UX) and the five phases of UX design, which includes Strategy, Outline of Scope, Sitemap, Wireframes, and Visual Mockups. 2. **The User Experience Process**: This module deepens your understanding of the user experience process. You’ll not just define UX but directly apply the concepts to real-world scenarios, learning about the differences in designing for mobile apps versus websites, and the methodologies such as waterfall and agile. 3. **Asking Good Questions: Determining Strategy**: Strategy is the backbone of UX design, and this module equips you with tools for conducting thorough research and understanding your target audience. Taking the time to define user and client needs during this phase lays the foundation for a successful project. 4. **What is in and What is Out: Outlining Scope**: Here, you’ll learn how to translate user and client needs into concrete content and functionality requirements. This transformation is critical as it directly impacts your project's direction. 5. **Getting your Ducks in a Row: The Sitemap**: The final module concludes the course where you learn to visualize your project’s content and functionality requirements into a navigable sitemap. This comprehensive overview culminates in crucial insights on information architecture and introduces you to tools like TreeJack for testing user navigation. ## Recommendations **Pros**: - **Comprehensive Approach**: The course provides a well-rounded perspective on UX principles and strategies, making it useful for aspiring web designers. - **Hands-On Project**: The project-based learning approach helps solidify theoretical concepts through practical application, which is vital for understanding the complexities of web design. - **Expert Instructors**: Learn from industry professionals who offer valuable insights and guidance throughout the course. **Cons**: - **Time Commitment**: Participants need to allocate a significant amount of time to complete the assignments and fully grasp the concepts taught. - **Basic Prior Knowledge Recommended**: While the course is accessible to beginners, having basic knowledge of web design principles will enhance your learning experience. ## Conclusion In conclusion, the **Web Design: Strategy and Information Architecture** course on Coursera is a highly recommended program for those looking to build a solid foundation in web design. It effectively combines strategy, user research, and practical application to prepare students for the challenges of designing engaging and functional websites. Whether you're a novice or looking to expand your skills, this course provides the essential tools and knowledge to excel in the field of web design. Embarking on this course could be a transformative step towards realizing your dreams in web design, so don’t hesitate to sign up and start your journey today!

Syllabus

Course Overview

Welcome! In this first module I will summarize the assignments and expectations of this course.

This week I will give you a brief overview of the user experience process that I will teach in this course sequence. We will begin by defining the term "user experience", and then briefly look at the five phases of UX design: Strategy, Outline of Scope, Sitemap, Wireframes, and Visual Mockups. I will also talk about the differences between mobile apps and websites, and the differences between waterfall and agile approaches to UX design. Lastly, I will introduce you to the main project that you will be working on in this course and the one that follows it. You’ll be starting your first assignment at the end of the week. Last, here's something to keep in mind this week: “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”—Steve Jobs

This week is all about strategy. We will talk about how to conduct research in the beginning of a project. And I will tell you about the importance of defining a target audience for your website. We’ll also discuss how to determine user needs and client needs. The strategy that you develop in this first step in the UX process will influence all decisions you make further down the line. That’s why it’s so important to take the time and think about what you want to accomplish, what the goals are, and how they might be measured when the project launches.

By now you should have a pretty clear idea what your projects will be about and who your target audience is. This week we will talk about how to take the user and client needs that you have established and create a set of content and functionality requirements from them. In other words, you’re transforming your overarching goals from last week into specific requirements for your site.

Welcome to the last week of this course. With your outline of scope in hand, you will now learn how to transform the content and functionality requirements determined last week into a navigable structure. This structure will be visualized by something called a sitemap. I’ll tell you all about sitemaps and how to create them. Along the way we will also define the term "information architecture". And I will introduce a tool called TreeJack, which will enable you to test your site map on actual users.