MA Web Design + Content Planning

THIS PROGRAMME HELPS YOU DEVELOP the skills needed to plan, design, build and promote websites to a professional standard using contemporary principles and techniques. Across six integrated, core modules, the programme covers three key areas of web design practice: technical, functional and aesthetic.

The technical area includes the three core front-end technologies; HTML, CSS and JavaScript, and the key principles and philosophies which guide their use. These include, Web Standards, Progressive Enhancement, Responsive Design and Mobile First. Relevant back-end technologies such as PHP and MySQL are also included. The programme also covers WordPress theme design and an introduction to other content management systems.

The functional area includes topics such as User Experience Design, Accessibility, Content Strategy, Information Architecture and Search Engine Optimisation. Such areas are not peripheral to web design. This programme takes a holistic approach, giving you a broad understanding of the web design industry.

The aesthetic area includes the principles of graphic design, including Layout, Composition, Typography, Colour, Identity and Branding. In each case, aesthetic principles are backed up with technical implementation. All assessments for this programme are based on project work.

Ultimately, the three fundamental areas of web design are indivisible, and this programme takes an integrated and balanced approach. Theory and practice are given equal weight.