Projects

Due May 13 11:59 ET

This final project is all yours. You may continue developing Project 1 or 2, or start something entirely new. Use this as an opportunity to explore an idea you’re excited about, refine an existing prototype, or finally make that personal website. You're welcome to build your project using WordPress, Cargo, Squarespace, or another platform—as long as you insert your own custom code (HTML, CSS, and/or JavaScript) somewhere in the final result.

Although you'll present your project during the final week of class, you'll have a few extra days to submit the final version. I'll also be asking for some project details during Week 14. Keep an eye on your inbox for that email.

Deliverables

• Final Project: A live site, shareable via URL. It must include some custom code. If using GitHub, instead of the repository link, please share your GitHub Pages URL.
• Class Self-Reflection (500+ words): Reflect on your experience in the class: what you learned, what you wish you had learned, what challenged, excited, or bored you. Talk through your term experience.
• Submit the URL and reflection here.

Due Apr 8 11:59 PM ET

In this project, you will create a visual collection of related items, considering how they are categorized, described, and contextualized in a digital space. Your collection can focus on anything, but should be structured with intentional metadata and organizational logic. It may be as practical or impractical as you’d like. It may be esoteric, speculative, historical, or personal. What matters is that you have a clear justification for your method.

The goal is to think critically about curation, classification, and the relationships between different elements. How do digital collections shape meaning? What does metadata reveal or obscure? Additionally, this is an opportunity to put your JavaScript learnings into practice.

Assignment Goals

• Curate a collection of at least 10-15 items with metadata.
• Explore how classification systems impact interpretation.
• Structure the collection using JSON or an object for data organization.
• Build a simple front-end using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to display the collection.
• Provide an index and/or filtering interface (search is optional — we haven't covered this).

Deliverables

• Final Visual Collection: A front-end interface with a collection of at least 10-15 items, including categories and other metadata, that can be viewed in different ways.
• Reflection Paper (500+ words): Think about: Why this collection? How did you make decisions regarding what to include and what not to include? How does structuring and classifying the collection affect interpretation? How did you make your design decisions and how do these affect the process of navigation and discovery? How does the inclusion of JavaScript affect the digital experience?
• Submit the collection link and reflection here.

Due Week 6, Feb 27

In this project, you will select a static and/or physical item (such as a printed text, image, document, sculpture, or physical object) and translate it into a digital format. The goal is to explore how digital tools can alter the way we interact with, interpret, and present physical items.

Assignment Goals

• Explore the creative process of translating analog (physical) forms into digital formats.
• Analyze the impact of digital media on the meaning and form of the chosen item.
• Apply digital technologies such as HTML, CSS, image editing, or other tools at your disposal to reimagine your chosen item in a digital environment.

Deliverables

• Final Digital Translation: A fully digital representation of your chosen physical item using HTML and CSS.
• Reflection Paper (500-750 words): A reflection on the process of translating the item into a digital form. Your paper should address: The original item (what it is, where it’s from, its context, and why you chose it). The translation process (tools you used, challenges you faced, and decisions made along the way). The impact of digital translation (how the digital version changes the meaning, accessibility, or perception of the original item). A comparison of the analog vs. digital experience (What is gained or lost in the translation? How does digital media amplify or change the original?).
• You will submit both of these via a GitHub repository. You may name this repo whatever you'd like. Please ensure it contains both the website and the reflection. Submit the repo link here.