Tafoya • GRAPHIC DESIGN I • Course Syllabus

Art 2120 (3 credits)
Instructor: Renee Tafoya

GRAPHIC DESIGN I

This introductory graphic design course encourages conceptual thinking and problem solving in relation to design development. Emphasis is placed on application of design principles, understanding and evaluating information, learning the value of research, and the appropriate materials, tools and techniques needed to show effective idea development. Students begin with techniques for rough conceptual sketches and progress through finished presentations of comprehensive layouts. Students will study design principles & techniques and will solve design problems using a combination of type, image, color, and format.

Graphic Designers are specialists in the commercial arena of visual art. Our role is to communicate a message through the arrangement of color, type, image, shape, and size. We are engrossed by the visual world and encounter inspiration everywhere. Designers utilize a set of techniques and processes to transform ideas into communication that informs, inspires, and influences behavior. Preparing for a career in the graphic design profession begins with an understanding of design history, design principles, graphic design processes, and the development of ideas. Prerequisite: ART 1110.

GRAPHICS & VISUAL ART PROGRAM OUTCOMES:

• Prepare students for entry-level positions in the graphics industry.
• Develop student portfolios for entry into the workplace or transfer to private art and design institutions where portfolio review is required.
• Utilize proper terminology, techniques and procedures common to the graphics industry.
• Apply media and terminology to the artistic process with a high level of craftsmanship
• Analyze and incorporate design elements, structures and functions
• Demonstrate development of visual thinking and visual literacy
• Recognize a variety of artworks and the role of design in relation to history and cultures
• Critique the form and content of artworks
• Identify parallels with other disciplines

GRAPHIC DESIGN COURSE OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this semester the student should be able to:

• discuss the impact of culture and technology on the development of graphic design in the twentieth century.
• evaluate personal skills and interests relative to possible career paths in graphics.
• select and apply design principles and elements to solve challenging visual arts problems.
• plan and design original compositions utilizing type, images, and color.
• draw concise visual representations of conceptual ideas.
• integrate resources and techniques for generating ideas and exploring creativity.
• utilize computer layout and scanning software.
• create professional comprehensive layouts for presentation to a client.
• employ analytical skills and active listening skills in critiques and discussions.
• demonstrate neatness, organization, and an ability to meet deadlines.

REQUIRED TEXT AND MATERIALS:
Graphic Design Basics, 4^th Edition, by Amy Arntson, ISBN 0-15-504646-2

• 3-ring binder with notepaper and dividers
• marker layout pad, 11 x 14  or 9 x 12
• tracing paper pad, small
• plastic triangles: 30° / 60° or 45° / 90°
• exacto knife and #11 blades
• white magic rub eraser
• drawing pencils: H, 2B, 2H
• mechanical pencil
• white artists tape
• graphic arts ruler with points and picas
• proportional scale or pocket calculator
• spray mount or rubber cement
• black markers - fine and wide
• a range of gray design markers
• technical pen set (Micron 6 pack)
• Higgins black ink
• #3 watercolor brush
• Pro white (as needed)
• cutting pad (optional)
• black or white matte board (as needed)
• container to carry supplies

STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Students who qualify for specific accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act should inform the instructor within the first week of class to ensure that their needs are met in a timely manner. It is the student's responsibility to inform the instructor of her/his needs and to provide the necessary documentation to the Student Success Center before any classroom accommodation can be made. To contact the Director of the Student Success Center, call 754-6135 or stop by the Center located in the basement of Colter Hall.

CONDUCT
Participate in class discussions to the best of your ability. Try to be an active participant in your education. The instructor wants to encourage you to be an active, critical thinker. Sitting passively in class doesn't take full advantage of the opportunity you are given.

…But don't talk during lectures if your conversation is not part of a classroom discussion. Talking when someone else is talking – be it the instructor or another student in class – is rude. Respect the classroom environment. Keep your voice low and your language clean during lab. Late arrivals and early departures without prior arrangement with the instructor is disrespectful and will count against your attendance. Don't eat in class, don't bring your kids, and don't work on assignments from another class. Most folks (including your instructor) find these things disrupting.

ATTENDANCE
Attendance is mandatory. Attendance will be taken promptly at the beginning of each class. You are considered absent if you are not here when attendance is taken. Your semester grade will drop by one letter grade for every three classes missed. "Excused" absences will only be discussed under extraneous circumstances and only if you have missed more than four classes. It is your responsibility to make up any work missed during absences.

GRADING
Your final semester grade will be determined as follows:

* A = 100-91 (exceptional work beyond the class requirements)

* B = 90-81 (excellent technical and creative abilities exhibited)

* C = 80-71 (all work accomplished on time and minimum goals achieved)

* D = 70-61 (minimum goals not achieved, late presentations)

* F = 60 or less (failure to finish assignments or doing "D" work late)

Points can be earned in each of the following categories:

• Project Comps 50%
• Finished exercises 30%
• Sketches & Roughs 10%
• Quiz 10%

Exercises will be assessed for accuracy and craftsmanship. Exercises will be graded pass/fail.

Projects will be assessed for creativity, problem solving ability and craftsmanship. Numerical grades will be awarded for each project.

Sketches will be assessed for the number and variety of ideas you have explored. Sketches will be graded pass/fail

At the end of the semester, all the points earned for the exercises, sketches, and projects will be averaged and weighted to determine your final grade. No credit will be given for work not completed by the assigned due date. It is the student's responsibility to know the deadlines for each assignment.

Students have the option of continuing to work on and improve each assignment after the due date and class critique for (possibly) a better grade. Grades for re-worked assignments will be no more than one full letter grade higher than the original grade at the assigned due date (re-worked project grades will never drop in grade). All re-worked assignments are due at the end of the semester.

Course Outline Fall 2005

(your instructor may make changes to this schedule, but you will be notified if changes are made)

Weeks 1 & 2: August 29-Sept 9. Visual Thinking & Research

Week 3: Sept 12, 14, 16. Design Principles 1

Week 4: Sept 19, 21, 23. Design Principles 2

Week 5: Sept 26, 28, 30  Design Principles 3

Week 6: Oct 3, 5, 7. Elements of Design: Images

Week 7: Oct 10, 12, 14. Elements of Design: Type

Week 8: Oct 17 & 19. Elements of Design: Color

Week 9: Oct 24, 26, 28. Digital Techniques

Week 10: Oct 31, Nov 2 & 4. Advertising Design

Week 11: Nov 7, 9,  11 Advertising Design

Week 12: Nov 14, 16, 18. Editorial Design

Week 13: Nov 21 (no class Nov 23 & 25). Editorial Design

Week 14: Nov 28, 30 & Dec 2. Logo & Symbol Design

Week 15: Dec 5, 7, 9. Logo & Symbol Design

Week 16: Dec 12, 14, 16. Review