‎

The Code Geeks (CG) successfully hosted its first on-site seminar after three years titled “Beyond the Code: An Introduction to Web Design Principles” on August 30, 2024. Held at the Peter G. Nepomuceno (PGN) Case Room 312, the event aimed to introduce participants to the foundational principles of web design, focusing on the art and science of crafting visually appealing and user-friendly websites.

This event marks CG’s first in-person seminar in three years. John Gabriel Perez, the current CG President mentioned that the previous CG terms were unable to hold stand-alone face-to-face events due to the pandemic, followed by the shift to hybrid learning, which led to the
unavailability of most members and speakers.

The seminar opened with inspiring remarks from Perez, followed by an introduction to the guest speaker, Prof. Rene Laguna Jr. Prof. Laguna, a seasoned Java Developer, Web Developer, and Software Engineer, has been a faculty member at Holy Angel University (HAU) since 2012. Drawing from his extensive experience, he shared valuable insights into the world of web design, covering topics such as the role of design in user experience, the importance of visual appeal, and key principles that guide effective web design.

CG members from various computing courses who were able to secure a spot for the seminar were introduced to essential elements of web design, such as layout, color schemes, typography, and user navigation. Prof. Laguna emphasized that web design goes beyond aesthetics; it’s about creating functional and engaging user experiences that meet client needs. He also highlighted the significance of first impressions in web design and discussed common mistakes to avoid.

Participants found the seminar both informative and accessible. A first-year attendee shared, “As a computer science student, beginner friendly siya kasi nagstart sila sa mga pinaka basic [Web Designing principles] na kailangan malaman [before tackling the harder concepts]… mas naliwanagan ako kung paano gumawa ng design kasi ako more on logical ako .” The seminar helped him with navigating by learning the basics of web designing. 

Another participant, a second-year WebDev student, remarked, “I learned a lot … sobrang helpful ng mga examples na website sa presentation niya [Prof. Laguna Jr.], ” appreciating the practical tips they gained from the seminar.

When asked about the planning and preparation for the event, Perez remarked, “Naninibago, since after mga ilang terms? one term or two terms ata, nakapag on site den yung Code Geeks, pero [naging] smooth naman yung event.”

The seminar exceeded expectations, attracting over 70 attendees, a turnout that the organizers had not anticipated. Despite the limited slots, the event was smooth and free from technical difficulties. Perez expressed satisfaction with the seminar’s outcome, emphasizing that it provided a strong foundation for participants to apply web design principles in their future projects.

Looking ahead, Code Geeks plans to build on this success by organizing more workshops and seminars that will further enhance the skill sets of aspiring web developers within the School of Computing.

News by: Sophia Quiambao and Sofia Sarmiento