Graphic Design Sophia McMahan s.mcmahan@questlv.com Room 230 (702) 631-4751 Available 7:00am-7:25am, 2:25-3:00pm or by appointment Protect your Computer! Do not share your passwords! Remember to SAVE your work often! Course Description The products of graphic art and design can be found everywhere. From billboards to greeting cards to the label on a soup can; it's not hard to find the fingerprints of a graphic artist. Those who teach graphic arts and graphic design are artists themselves who have a passion for educating others about this creative field. This Graphic Design course is designed to give students an understanding of the Adobe Creative Suite programs such as Illustrator and Photoshop. Graphic Design students will be immersed in art and technology and will utilize both interrelated fields to complete this course. In this class you will learn the theories of graphic design while designing and producing several real-world projects. Students learn basic elements and principles of art and advanced techniques for designing and creating effective promotional pieces, publications, and digital-art. This class teaches the basics of Graphic Design through an illustrative and corporate view. Course Intent Students will be expected to meet the entire course goals listed and be able to demonstrate their understanding of the underlying concepts. The instructions will be application-based with a minimum of lectures and demonstrations. The course requires student research and completion of all projects. Student will work individually to complete several projects that enable the student to learn how to work independently in order to complete the assignments. Student assessment will be based on individual completion of projects, written reports, discussion posts, final portfolio quiz of student s knowledge of important design concepts and demonstrations of these skills in carrying out projects. Students will explain how they worked through the assignment and considered various alternatives to complete the project. Course Goals: Learn the basics of successful design. Learn the language of visual design. Learn to apply basic design concepts to commercial design.
Learn to creatively solve design problems. Learn to manage design projects. Learn to structure an advertisement campaign from a graphic designer's perspective. Learn how to use Adobe Illustrator as a design program. Learn how to use Adobe Photoshop as a photo editor. Combine Art, Photography and Illustration. Materials Required Materials To successfully complete this course, each student will need each item daily: Quest Student Laptop Sketchbook Pen or pencil Recommended Materials Any of the following donations would be greatly appreciated: Computer Mouse Flash Drive USB (2 GB or more to save files) Dry Erase Markers and Erasers Tissue Boxes and Paper Towels Online Websites Keep track of all of your graded assignments in the event of a grade discrepancy. Assignments & Grades: www.mybigcampus.com Art Talk Online Book: www.connected.mcgraw-hill.com Course Website: http://msmcmahan.weebly.com Discussion Posts: https://tackk.com/@msmcmahan Daily Schedule 1. Fresh Start is a daily exercise student work on during the first five to ten minutes of class. Students cannot make up Fresh Starts. It will mainly consist of Reading Proficiency Questions, as well as ACT/SAT Reading Preparation passages and questions. 2. Class Assignments and Projects, Discussion Posts, Group Reading/Activities All assignments and projects must be completed by the assigned due date. Discussion Posts will be online and students are required to post answers to online discussion posts no later than 11:59pm on the day assignment is due. Group Reading and Activities requires that students participate respectfully. 3. Tests and Essays will be assigned with advance notice. Essays will be given occasionally and if warranted by class behavior.
Tests are used to assess the student s understanding of basic design fundamentals. Policies and Procedures It is my goal for every one of you to take an active role in your education. Attendance is vital in that much of what we read and accomplish in class will be as a group effort. Please be in your assigned seat when the bell rings, or you may be marked tardy. Refer the Quest Prep student handbook for conduct expectations, especially those regarding cell phone use. 1. No eating in class or disciplinary action will be enforced. 2. No cell phones or electronic devices unless advised otherwise. 3. Come to class prepared and ready to learn. 4. Missed quizzes and other assignments at the beginning of the period cannot be made up until after school. 5. Be respectful of your peers and teachers; be willing to participate free of distractions. Grading Policies Submitting Work Online Discussion post assignments must include your full name and period number to receive full credit. Discussion posts must be submitted no later than 11:59pm on the date discussion post is due. Discussions will be posted at: https://tackk.com/@msmcmahan Late Work Homework must be submitted at the designated time, or it will be considered late. Any assignments that are turned in late will receive the following deductions in addition to their scored grades: * 1 day late = -10% * 2 days late = -20% * 3 days late = -30% * 4 or more days late will receive a zero for the assignment Make-up Work due to Absences: It is the responsibility of all students to check with MyBigCampus and their teacher for make-up work following an absence. Students will be given three days from the date of their return to school to make-up any missed assignments or tests/quizzes. Also, if the student is not able to make up assignments during class time, the student needs to be prepared to spend time after school and make up any missing assignments.
Grading Scale A 100-90 B 89-80 C 79-70 D 69-60 F 59-0 We try very hard to meet high standards for all of our students as we want all students to know how to set real world expectations and responsibilities. However we also acknowledge that students on IEP s and/or 504 plans may need assistance in reaching these goals. All individual student plans will be followed. QUARTER GRADES: Projects: 50% Participation/Quizzes: 25% Final Portfolio: 15% Homework: 10% SEMESTER GRADES Quarter 1 45% Quarter 3 45% Quarter 2 45% Quarter 4 45% Semester 1 Exam 10% Semester 2 Exam 10%