Digital Sketchbook

LEARNING OUTCOMES

LO 03: Define key terms used to describe design objects and processes.

TOPICS

WordPress Setup
Pages vs. Posts
Minimalist Layouts
Documentation Workflow

INSTRUCTIONS

Follow the WordPress Setup tutorial provided in the tutorials folder. Use the Free Plan only — do not select or purchase paid domains.

Objective

Create a personal WordPress website to document your weekly projects. Each project/exercise must be posted as a separate page (not a post) as per the indicated deadline. At midterm and final, you will export all exercise pages as full-page screenshots using the GoFullPage Chrome Extension and compile them into one file per stage for submission.

Steps

1. Create WordPress Blog

  • Go to wordpress.com → “Start with our free plan.”
  • Create an account (or sign in).
  • Select the free wordpress.com subdomain option (skip all purchases).

2. Theme Setup

  • Go to Appearance → Themes.
  • Search for and activate the theme Twenty Twenty-Five (2025).
  • This ensures visual consistency across all student blogs.

3. Pages Setup

  • Use Pages, not posts.
  • Rename the default About page to your first exercise (Filter).
  • Add new pages for each subsequent exercise as you do it (Cut, Blend, etc.).
  • Each page must contain text, images, and/or media explaining your work.

4. Layout & Cleanup

  • Go to Appearance → Editor.
  • Remove default filler content and footer.
  • Keep the design minimalist: only site title + menu of exercises.
  • Configure landing page as a static introduction or overview with links to your exercise pages.

5. Publishing

  • After editing for the first time, click Save and Launch Site to make your blog public.
  • Always double-check from your phone (or another device) that pages are visible.

6. Midterm & Final Documentation (Mandatory)

  • Install Google Chrome browser if you don’t have it already on your computer (required for the extension).
  • Install the GoFullPage – Full Page Screen Capture extension (link).
  • At Midterm: open each exercise page completed so far → capture a full-page screenshot for each → compile all into one single PDF file → submit on Moodle.
  • At Final: repeat the process with all exercise pages → compile into one single PDF file → submit on Moodle.
  • REMEMBER THAT YOU MUST SUBMIT YOUR WORK ON MOODLE ONLY TWICE, ONCE BY MIDTERM, AND ONCE BY THE FINAL DATE PER THE GIVEN INSTRUCTIONS.

DELIVERY

Weekly:

  • Blog updated with a new page per exercise before each session.

Midterm & Final:

  • PDF file containing all exercise pages (screenshotted via GoFullPage)
  • Your work submitted on moodle

Rubric