Teacher contact/availability: available to see students individually by appointment.

Transcription

1 GRAPHIC DESIGN 1 GRA 170 F Summer JULY MON-THU 9:00 11:45 AM Credit hours: 3 Contact hours: 45 Additional costs: 45,00 (see point 10 for details) Teacher contact/availability: available to see students individually by appointment. 1 - DESCRIPTION This course gives students a theoretical and practical introduction to graphic design in the era of digital communication. Students follow a program based on practical applications, realized entirely with computer graphic techniques. The constant search for the harmony of shapes, colors and words goes together with the learning of the most modern digital graphic techniques. During the course bidimensional vector graphics will be used for the realization of all the assigned projects. The fundamental concepts of the manipulation of the images, are also taught to complete the same plans. In consideration of the great importance that advertising has in this course, the projects are addressed to communication, exploring the principal media and learning how to work with different targets. Curiosity and an inclination for research are the essential characteristics of students interested in this course. Student must be familiar with the computer environment. 2 - OBJECTIVES / GOALS and OUTCOMES By the end of the course the students will have gained necessary skills and knowledge concerning: Basic design principles. Concept development. Spatial layout Issues and visual hierarchy design. Appropriate use of technology in visual communication design. Color theory fundamentals. 3 - PREREQUISITES This is a course for beginners, so no technical experience is required; however, a degree of curiosity and an interest in graphic design are important for success in this course. This course is held in English. 4 - METHOD The course activities include talks, lessons, demonstrations, tutorials and case studies. The instructor explains each of the projects covered by this course, instilling in students a deep and broad knowledge about the subject, taking into consideration all the creative and technical aspects of the role of the graphic designer. Every lesson consists of two parts. The first, theoretical part, consists of an analysis of the visual concepts and the principles of the graphic design. In this part of the lesson, students are taught to look at the world around them with the eye of the graphic designer, learning some principles of visual semiotics and producing graphic compositions based upon them. In the second, practical part, the instructor provides a base of state-of-the-art professional digital graphics software techniques. This is accomplished through a step-by-step learning method centered on the presentation of several technical problems and the ways to achieve the desired results. Each student will work on three different main individual projects plus a Mid-Term and a Final project. 5 - ASSESSMENT Students work is mainly based on practice. Students will be assigned exercises to be completed on the same day, during class time, out of class time (open studio) - and projects to be completed over several classes /weeks.

2 During the course students will discuss, plan and work on all aspects of their own personal FINAL PROJECT, from the subject to the realization technique. Critiques of the completed projects will occur during the FINAL EXAM. The course follows a conceptual progression starting with learning the basics of visual design, starting with the interpretation of the visual field to the stylization of pictures into design elements, and ending with the realization of a printed personal project. The basics of typography and lettering, as well as the basis of the color theory are the main issues explored in the second half of the course, in which students work will mainly concentrate on the preparation of the executive digital files ready for professional printing. Visual material as well as readings will be given to increase ideas and creativity through research/analysis conducted either individually or in groups and further discussed together in class. The professor will help students in class through individual critiques and group discussions Every lesson will concern both conceptual investigations and digital graphics techniques training. 6 EXAMS The Mid-term exam consists of the completion and critique of a hand-made concertina-style brochure. The Final exam consists of the completion of the FINAL PROJECT Visual T-shirt, which is a work completely planned and realized by each student, from the subject to the realization techniques. The FINAL PROJECT must be completed by the second hour of the last class. Remember that the dates of the exams can not be changed for any reason, so please organize your personal schedule accordingly. Please note that projects include participation in the critiques. 7 EVALUATION and GRADING SYSTEM 15% Participation 15% Homework 25% Mid Term project 20% Exercises and projects 25% Final personal project Following grading system will be observed: 0-59 = F, = D, = C-, = C, = C+, = B-, = B, = B+, = A-, = A 8 - ATTENDANCE and BEHAVIOR Mandatory attendance is a primary requirement for a responsible learning experience at LdM. Please note that: if the student misses 20% of the scheduled class hours during this course (generally at the 3 rd absence), the Final grade will be lowered by one full letter grade. If more than 20% of the scheduled class hours are missed (generally at the 4 th absence), the final grade will be F and NO credits will be given for this course. Make-up classes are always mandatory since part of the course program. If a class occasionally creates conflict with another class, the student is required to inform in advance both instructors. The instructors will then share a written excuse for the class going to be missed. Students may NOT keep cell phones, Blackberry systems or laptop computers and wireless internet switched on during classes. Any student, who is more than 20 minutes late without a valid reason, will be marked absent. Students are required to behave properly within the school premises. Classrooms are to be left in order and clean. Students must take care of available equipment and materials and promptly report any damage and loss. Students are required to read and respect the specific studio rules prior starting to work, especially during open-studio time. Irresponsible behavior can compromise lessons of other courses. Academic dishonesty: should issues of academic dishonesty arise (plagiarism and so on), the teacher will refer to the LdM written policy on such matters.

3 9 - READINGS and SOURCES Required Readings: Graphic Design School: The Principles and Practices of Graphic Design. /David Dabner. [Graph 23] (This is the main text of reference for the course). Color Harmony Workbook: A Workbook and Guide to Creative Color Combinations /Lesa Sawahata, Il Castello. [Graph 13] Adobe Illustrator CS2: Classroom in a Book (Classroom in a Book series) / Adobe Creative Tea. Suggested readings : Designer s Guide to Graphics /L. Koren & R.W. Meckler (a recipe book ). Computer Arts Garrick Webster Publ. (monthly magazine: every issue is useful). Rewind: Forty Years of Design & Advertising /Jeremy Myerson, Graham Vickers Up-pops: Paper Engineering with Elastic Bands /Mark Hiner [Graph 29] Paper Engineering: 3D Design Techniques for a 2D Material / Natalie Avella [Graph 28] New Graphic Design School /David Dabner [Graph 23] Structural Packaging /Josep M. Garrofe [Graph 19] Italian Art Deco /Steven Heller [Graph 9] The Elements of Color /Johannes Itten [Art 27 Tech] Design Basics /J. Rutter Kaye [Graph 3] Air Made Visible /Bruno Munari [Int Des 28] These books are all available at the LdM library [shelfmarks in brackets; see online catalogue: ADDITIONAL COSTS Each student will spent approx. 45 as follows: Estimated print costs in the LdM print centre Copies for projects and exercises... 15,00 T-shirt print... 10,00 Estimated Drawing materials costs Drawing set... 20, VISITS and TRIPS No visit are scheduled for this course. However, some visits (not longer than 1 to 2 hours, held during class time) may be scheduled as the course progresses in order (i) to see unique events in Florence pertinent to the class, and (ii) to visit stores, studios or other sites to analyze graphic arts/design in the Florentine environment MATERIALS Students have to provide individually and at their own expense all the supplies used for their personal creative projects. The following materials are needed: Pencils (soft, hard and medium) and rubber eraser. 2 thick and 2 thin markers. 1 Glue stick 1 White Paper size A3 Block. 1 White Paper size A4 Block for sketches. 1 Scissors 1 Cutting knife The approximate cost of these supplies is 20. Sets of these materials, packed for LDM Students, are available at: Magna Charta in Via S. Gallo, 105/R The above materials are also available in other art & office supply stores, such as:

4 Ostolani, Via della Scala 14/r Salvini, Via degli Alfani, 27 Rigacci, Via de Servi Lory, Piazza Frescobaldi These materials are for personal use, not to be confused with shared materials available in class (see point 10). Prior to purchasing the abovementioned materials students must follow the teacher s instructions. Any supplies previously owned by the students have to be approved by the instructor. The materials listed must have been purchased and available for use by the second class. Further materials may be available in class for shared use only. Nothing can be taken home. Estimated print costs in the LdM print centre Copies for projects and exercises.. 15,00 T-shirt print... 10,00 13 A CLASS SCHEDULE WEEK 1 #1 May 25 Fill out class contact list Getting to know the Mac Overview of the laboratory facilities Discussion of student goals and backgrounds Contrast and Harmony Introduction to Basic Design Principles #2 May 26 Design Principles Gestalt Theory. Assignment of Project 1: Basic Graphic Composition #3 May 27 Project 1 finishing: Basic Graphic Composition Analysis of student works and class discussion. Homework: sketches of contrast and harmony. #4 May 28 Design Principles Spatial Organization Alignment Reduction and simplification of compositions. WEEK 2 #5 Jun 1 Presentation of simplified compositions illustrating design principles. Introduction of Mid-Term Project: Concertina-Style Brochure. Major and Minor Themes. Multiple folds publication design issues. Jun 2 NATIONAL HOLIDAY (Founding of the Republic) NO CLASS. #6 Jun 3 Working on MID-TERM PROJECT. Ongoing discussion of design principles, Major and Minor Themes, and Multi-page publication design issues. #7 Jun 4 MID-TERM PROJECT deadline and work critique. WEEK 3

5 #8 Jun 8 Introduction to the Principles of Color Theory. Class exercises. #9 Jun 9 Assignment of PROJECT 2: color grammar. Preliminary presentation of Project 2 and critique. #10 Jun 10 Work to complete PROJECT 2. Presentation and critiques of Project 2 Assignment of the Project 3: initials logo design. #11 Jun 11 Development of the Project 3: initials logo design. WEEK 4 #12 Jun 15 PROJECT 3 finishing. Presentation and critiques of Project 3 Assignment of the FINAL PROJECT: Visual T-shirt Students will illustrate a T-shirt based on the theoretical issues previously analyzed during the course. #13 Jun 16 Continued development of the FINAL PROJECT: Visual T-shirt A collective brainstorming will be taken in order to analyze the various aspects of the projects. #14 Jun 17 Continued development of the FINAL PROJECT: Visual T-shirt #15 Jun 18 FINAL PROJECT deadline. Student project presentations and critique. 13 B- ALTERNATIVE LESSON Should the instructor be indisposed or otherwise unable to attend, a substitute teacher will conduct the scheduled lesson at the regular class time, with the following program: Supervised completion of ongoing projects. Implementation of digital graphics tutorials and class exercises.