NWC News Desk

Online graphic design class for Web designers starts Jan. 15 at NWC

Posted January 7, 2014
By NWC News Desk

POWELL, Wyo. - Web designers are invited to improve their graphic design skills through Issues in Web Design, a credit class offered online this semester by Northwest College.

The class is taught by Renee Tafoya, an assistant professor of art and graphic design and a professional designer with many years of experience. It focuses on issues surrounding professional Web design. Students will explore the planning process, user interface, site architecture, page design, typography, editorial style, color and images. Current trends in Web publishing are also discussed.

Similar to a traditional class, this online class course includes assigned readings, discussions, skill-building assignments and a course project.

Students are free to utilize any operating platform and Web-authoring software, but should have intermediate level skills in one or more of the following: HTML, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Expressions Web, FrontPage or other Web-design applications.

“This is not a beginning level Web design class,” Tafoya said. “It would be challenging for students with no experience in Web design, however, students may audit to participate in the reading and discussion and choose not to complete the Web design assignments.”

She said even though the class doesn’t have specified meeting times, students should expect to spend at least four hours a week on the course.

Tafoya holds bachelor’s degrees in graphic design and illustration from San Jose State University and a master's degree in instructional technology from the University of Wyoming. She has owned and operated her design studio, R.T. Press, since the 1980s and has worked with clients as diverse as Apple Inc., Wyoming Arts Council, Red Lodge Mountain, Bonny Doon Vineyard and the Buffalo Bill Center for the West. Tafoya teaches beginning and intermediate Web design, typography, digital illustration, and graphic design at Northwest College.

For more information about the Issues in Web Design class, email or call Renee Tafoya at 307-754-6041.

To register, call 307-754-6149 or drop in at the Registration and Records Office in the Orendorff Building.