NMI 4110
New Media Production is unlike any class I’ve ever taken and I loved it! In this class, we took a deep dive into the world of web development. I’ve had no previous experience with anything code before this class so I almost felt like I was going in blind. However, this class allowed me to gain a better understanding for HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, WordPress, and even JavaScript. NMI 4110 introduced me to a world that I didn’t even know existed, and now I can create interactive websites! That’s so cool!! I cannot wait to continue my journey with the NMI.
Project 1: A hand-crafted, locally sourced website
To start off the semester, we were required to create our own website completely by hand. When I first heard of this project, I was very overwhelmed. I had quite literally NO experience with anything code. However, once I learned more about HTML and CSS, I couldn’t wait to get started. I created a three page site about my favorite places on earth using hand coded HTML and CSS brackets. This project helped me learn the backbone of web development and design. While this site is definitely rough due to my lack of experience, it is cool to have a site that I made entirely by myself.
Project 2: Bootstrap Triptych
Bootstrap is such an amazing tool that helps you create an interactive, aesthetically pleasing site without having to engage in a tedious setup. For this project, we were required to create a Bootstrap site in three phases: the initial creation, selecting a theme, and customizing the theme to make it your own. I definitely faced some challenges, especially when it came to not being able to customize any CSS on panel two. I also learned the importance of an organized file path– you won’t see things show up if it’s not all in the correct place!
Project 3: WordPress Variety Pack
Oh, WordPress. I love it and hate it all at the same time. This system allows you to post directly online which is super convenient, but it doesn’t come without its flaws. We were assigned the task of creating two separate WordPress installs, one for News and one for E-Commerce. For each page, I learned how to select a safe and helpful theme from an expansive collection, import demo files, install plugins, and build my own pages from scratch. I’m very happy that I’ve learned the basics of WordPress, but the site’s complexity makes for some tedious work.