Karianne Corwin
Study Questions

Week 1 Study Questions by Saturday, October 10
1. What is meant by accessibility standards?
Accessibility standards are the standards by which a website is created so that all people can use it, including those with disabilities or the elderly.
2. How can color create a barrier to content?
Color can create an accessibility issue if the contrast of the background and text are too similar.
3. Why is it important to provide a way for users to skip the navigation list?
It is important to provide a way for users to skip the navigation list because some users may be using a screen reader. Another important reason for this is because the navigation list is so crucial to the function of the website, and there may be an error within a browser or a certain piece of technology such as the iphone.
4. What is meant by providing “ALT Text” to the user?
Providing alt text means to provide a written descriptin of an image within a document.
5. What is the difference between Section 508 and WCAG 1.0?
Section 508 is part of a federal rehabilitation act that requires that websites be accessible to those with disabilities. The WCAG 1.0 is a set of guidelines created by the W3C in order to help a web designer to create an accessible website.
6. How does design differ from style?
Design and style differ in the way that design is the look, feel, and structure of a website where as style incorporates the attributes that are used on text, images, and other elements of the web page in order to create said design.
7. Why is it important to separate content from presentation?
Seperating content from presentation is important to web design because it not only can potentially speed the web page’s loading time, but it can also make for easy adjustments to syle in the future.
8. Why is it important to validate our mark-up & CSS?
Validating our markup and css is important because it helps to create a website that is compatible with a variety of browsers, and it also ensures that the website will continue to be compatible for a longer while. In addition to this, it offers the designer more control over the look and feel of their website.
9. What are the two major parts of a CSS rule?
There are actually thee major parts to a css rule. The selector, the property, and the value. The selector explains which element the rule is being applied to, the property describes the rule that is being applied, and the value is the term given to the actual rule itself, such as a hexidecimal or a pixel width.
10. Define these CSS properties: float, margin, padding, and border.
To float an element is to take the element out of the flow of the document and place it in a specified area such as the right or left. Margins, in css are used to define the space between one element and another, but are not included in that elements width. The padding is included in the elements with and is used to create space between the element and its inner content. Lastly, the border makes up the sides of the content area, and it can be styled to size, color, and decoration.
11. Define these CSS properties: font-family, font-size, line-height, letter-spacing.
Font-family: Several different fonts grouped together and devided by a comma that specify which font the broswer should render.
Font-size: Specifys the size of the font using ems or pixels as a unit of measurement
Line-height: The height of one line of text. This attribute is independent from font size as it more specifies the amount of verticle space in one line of text rather than how large the text is.
Letter-spacing: Letter spacing is an attribute used to define the spacing between two letters. Letter spacing can be used to tweak titles or fonts that have one or two letters that are too close together.
12. What is the “Box Model?”
The box model is a representation of the aspects of a web page layout including margin, an element, padding, border, and the content.
13. What is the difference between a CSS class and an ID?
A CSS class is used to define the styling for multiple aspects where as the id is used when the styling will only be used for one aspect. A container would employ the CSS id where as a navigation list item would be best styled with a class.
14. What is the difference between a DIV and a SPAN?
A div in css is a block of informatin where as a span is a line. Divs are more often used in the layout of a webpage where spans are used for headers or lines of text.
15. How does the “Cascade” relate to the conflicts in CSS rules?
“Cascade” refers to the method by which the browser reads the css. In this method, the browser reads the document from top to bottom. As there may be more than one css rule for a single attribute at some point in time, the browser interprets an “inheritence” where the attribute will take the styling of the seemingly most important css rule.
16. What is the purpose of the Document Type Declaration?
The Document type declaration, or DTD specifies which type of document has been created so that the browser can render the information quickly and efficiently.
17. What is the difference between a browser’s “quirks” mode and it’s “standards” model?
In “quirks” mode, the broswer interprets a non-existant or incorrect DTD, and renders the web page in the best way that it can. The standards mode is the mode used when the DTD is present and correct, in which case the browser utilizes a set of language rules by which it reads the information.
18. Define inline, embedded, and external (aka. local, global, and linked) stylesheets?
External style sheets are style sheets that are created outside of the original index file. These sheets are then important into the document. Inline styles are applied directly to the attributes within the code, where as embedded css styles are placed in the head section of the document, before the actual page content begins.
Week 2 Study Questions by Saturday, October 17
19. How does the float property work?
The float property works by taking an element out of the flow of the document and placing it in a certain direction such as the left or the right.
20. Explain absolute positioning.
Absolute positioning positions an element relative to the page that that element is in.
21. Explain relative positioning
Relative positioning poisitions an element relative to its neighbor, rather than the page itself.
22. What is the difference between absolute positioning and fixed positioning?
Fixed positioning holds an element in the same spot while the page is scrolled.
23. What effect do margin, border, and padding have on an element’s width?
Margin may not efffect the element’s width for all browsers, where as the border and the padding will increase it.

24. Draw a diagram explaining the “Box Model”.
25. Explain how vertical margins collapse on block level elements.
When two verticle margins are placed against each other they combined and take the value of the larger margin.
26. What is the effect of using the clear property with floated elements?
The clear propety moves the content on the page so that it is not covered by a floated element.
27. Discuss the principle of unequal spacing.
In web design, spacing is used in the form of proximity. Objects that are related to one another are placed closer together than objects that are not related. Closely placed objects include pictures with subtitles, paragraphs with headings, and text fields with buttons. Other objects that may not be closely together would be the navigation bar and the web page heading, the footer and the content area, or two paragraphs of unrelated information.
28. What is the golden section?
The most valuble realistate of a website is the upper left hand corner.
Week 3 Study Questions by Saturday, October 24
29. What is the purpose of design?
The purpose of design is to deliver information in a visually appealing and attractive manner. It is also important in the way that it can make a website more readable and easier to understand.
30. Explain how grouping aids visual organization.
Grouping related items together help the viewer to mentally relate the two pieces of information.
31. Discuss the roles of repetition, echo, and theme in creating visual harmony.
Repition and echo are useful branding tactics that can be used to imprint the look and feel of a company upon the cosumer. They are also beneficial for delivering a message. Theme is essential to both of these aspects as it provides a context for which the repitition can take place. It also tells the consumer what the look and feel of the company is.
32. How does a layout grid facilitate the design process?
A grid layout is helpful in designing a website because it provides a layout for which the stucture of the page can be created evenly, and in a way that is visually appealing to the eye. A grid layout also enables the designer to create an equal amount of space between certain elements, and encourages the designer to use white space to devide content.
33. What is the key difference between liquid and elastic layout?
A liquid layout is a layout that is built on percentages and changes as the browser size changes. An elastic layout is a layout that is also built on percentages but is relative to the browser’s text size and employs the use of ems.
Week 4 Study Questions by Saturday, October 31
34. Why use lists for creating navigation systems?
Lists are useful for creating navigation systems, firstly because they make sense to use. When reviewing code, they help the viewer to better understand the navigation system. They also provide usability in the way that they employ text rather than images, and because they are actual elements of the language they are more predictable than other techniques.
35. How can you create custom bullet graphics for HTML lists?
You can create a custom bullet by first creating a graphic. You then set this graphic as the backround for your bullet.
36. How does one create a horizontal navigation list?
A horizontal navigation list can be created by first writing an unordered list and linking the items. Then, the list must be set to inline and placed in the desired location.
37. How can one create status indicators with CSS only?
That I know of, there is no way to do this. However you can style certain aspects of other languages using css.
38. What are Definition lists and when would we use them?
Definition lists are a certain type of list that provides a header, and a definition, or an area of text that is usually in italics. This helps the reader to visually group the items. Definition lists are best used for actual definitions.
Week 5 Study Questions by Saturday, November 7
39. Name a site that tracks and documents CSS bug and hacks?
Css-tricks.com
40. How can we circumvent a majority of IE/PC bugs without using hacks?
Keeping the layout simple will ensure that it is compatible with most all browsers.
41. What is one way to catch design problems before they become too complicated to repair?
One way to catch design problems before they become too difficult to repair is to do user testing as the design is being created.
42. Why is it important to establish a visual hierarchy in design?
It is important to establish a visual hierarchy in design because it allows the reader to better understand the information. It also breaks up the page, and the viewer is given a direction by which to read the site. Lasltly, it helps the designer to advertise the site by means of branding, because the designer can make one element more demanding than another.
43. What is one way to create a clear order of visual dominance?
One way to create a clear order of visual dominance is to make one object larger, or have more contrast than another. It can also be placed higher on the page and more towards the right.
44. What are some techniques for adding emphasis to page components?
Emphasis can be added to page components by the and tags.
45. Why is it important to develop the skill of evaluation?
It is important to develop the skill of evaluation so that you may judge the website as it is being created and estimate which problems a user might have when interacting with the site. It is also important to have the skill to evaluate because it helps you to better explain the choices you have made for the site, and to better understand the purpose of the site itself.
Week 6 Study Questions by Saturday, November 14
46. What are the size attributes used to change text sizes?
Size attributes that are used to change text are “ems” which are done relative to the font size the browser is using, or pixels, which provide a fixed size.
47. What are relative text sizes important to use?
Using ems as a relative text is important because it allows the user to read the text though their browser settings may be different.
48. What is leading? How do we set it using CSS?
Leading refers to the amount of verticle space between two lines of text.
49. What is an em?
An em is a resizable unit of text.
50. What are the generic font choices?
“Times New Roman”, Arial, Tahoma, Georgia Serif, Sans-Serif are a few generic texts that may be put on a website.
Week 7 Study Questions by Saturday, November 21
51. What are some methods for communicating a concept with visual design?
Some methods for communicating a concept with visual design are to change the color or font style to one that reflects the concept, to include more or less white space depending on how calm or energetic the concept seems, or to create a site that is highly interactive. For instance, a website for a child’s cereal will have more vibrant colors, less white space, and more user-to-website interaction that a website for a municipal court would.
52. Discuss the use of “theme” in visual design.
In visual design, “Theme” is the overall look and feel of the website. It conveys to the user an expression such as excitement, tranquility, enjoyment, or anger. Theme is imperitive to branding.
53. How does “theme” relate to style?
A website’s theme cannot bec create without style. Most style decisions a web designer will make will be based on the theme. Style choices such as the font family, font color, background color, and even link decoration reflect the overall theme of the website.