JOU4213 NEWSPAPER DESIGN / FALL 2015 Mondays 6:00-8:15 p.m. Bldg. 36/152 Kirsten S. Efird, instructor Email: kefird@uwf.edu Office hours: 5:45-6 p.m. Mondays and by appointment Class website: www.uwf.edu/kefird/ COURSE OBJECTIVES The goals of this class are: To learn the fundamental principles of newspaper design, including the language and terminology; To give you a grasp of the concepts of newspaper design, including editing and headline writing; To teach you how to integrate words and visuals to design functional and pleasing pages; To use good news judgment in design; To analyze stories and decide the best way to present them; To put the principles into practice through exercises, assignments and examinations. Note: We will use the Macs weekly in this class. Our assignments will be done in InDesign CS6. REQUIRED TEXTBOOK Harrower, Tim. The Newspaper Designer s Handbook (7th edition). This book also is available as an e-book, though I still recommend the hard copy. RESERVE READING Moen, Daryl. Newspaper Layout and Design (4th edition). The hard copy is on reserve at the library; it is also available online through the Libraries link on the UWF web site. Have your Nautilus card ready so you can enter your number, and then you ll be able to search by course title, number, or instructor name. OTHER READINGS Additional readings will be assigned from handouts, texts found in the stacks at the library, and at the reserve desk. When assignments call for you to bring in examples, try finding newspapers at the library or Barnes & Noble or other bookstores. SUPPLIES Pencils, erasers Scissors, glue stick USB drive Paper for lab printer 1 Sunday metro newspaper (from any large market; wait to buy this until I tell you to bring it in) Ruler preferably a metal pica ruler, or a plastic art ruler (12 inch) (these usually can be found at art supply stores or craft stores) Note: You may need to buy minimal supplies for projects or be prepared to pay for printing outside the lab. Black and white laser printing is available in our lab, but color printing will need to be done elsewhere. LECTURES/CLASS DISCUSSIONS Because we only meet once a week, classes will cover a lot of material. Please make every effort to be at each class meeting. Furthermore, much of the lecture material is not available in your texts, so take notes! You ll do better in the class if you keep up with readings and assignments, and when you participate in (and come to!) class. LABS and ASSIGNMENTS You will have specific lab assignments, usually every week. These are designed to help you become accustomed to using the computers and InDesign. This is a 24-hour lab, so you may come in to work anytime there is no class meeting in here. All assignments are due at the beginning of the next class period unless noted. Unless specified, you are required to turn in hard copies of your work not electronic documents via email. Please do not expect me to print out your work for you. Now, look around you at how nice this room is! Please keep the lab clean, and do not bring in food or drinks! Also keep in mind safety: When working in the lab at night, use the buddy system. Walk with a friend or call UWF Safewalk at 2415 for an escort. CLASS COMMUNICATION, WEBSITE I send out a weekly email on Sundays, reminding you about class and what is due for that week. Please be sure your UWF email account is activated and that you check it regularly, as that is where my group emails are sent. You are expected to read these emails in their entirety, including related links, as they will contain important information about class. Please get in the habit of checking the class website (www.uwf.edu/kefird) weekly for updates, assignments, etc. Everything you need for the class is there. Feel free to ask me questions, but check the web site first you will most likely find the answers to your questions there.
JOU 4213 Fall 2015 Syllabus 2 CLASS ATTENDANCE University policy: Students will be excused from class to observe religious holy days of their faith; Absences due to imposed legal responsibilities (i.e., jury duty, court appearance) shall be recognized as excused absences; Absences due to the participation in extracurricular activities in which students are official representatives of the University shall be recognized as excused absences; Absences due to serious illness, death or serious illness within the student s immediate family, military obligations, or other sound reasons offered by the student may be accepted as excused absences. My policy: You are allowed two unexcused absences; each unexcused absence thereafter will take 10 points away from your overall points. Two late arrivals equal one unexcused absence. Leaving class early also equals an unexcused absence. Assignments missed because of an excused absence may be made up. Quizzes and other in-class work missed because of an unexcused absence may not be made up. Late assignments will be penalized by dropping a letter grade for each day it is late and will not be accepted more than one week after the due date. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed; first, check the class website, then email me if you have any questions. Handouts from class will be available at the next class. If you know in advance that you have to miss a class, please see me so we can make arrangements for missed assignments, etc. Please make every effort to arrive on time; it is disruptive to me and your classmates to come in late. Finally, attending class is not optional; you should be here for every class, especially since we only meet once a week. GRADING Your grade will be based on assignments, pop quizzes, three major tests, class attendance, participation in class discussions and a final project. There is no final exam, only the final project. There are about 1,000 points to be earned throughout the semester. Approximate percentages of various components of the class are as follows: Quizzes 10% Tests (3) 40% Assignments, labs 30% Final project 20% Note: Extra credit opportunities will be discussed in class. However, no more than 50 points total for the semester will be awarded in extra credit points. PROFESSIONALISM This is a professional-level course. All class discussions, assignments and projects should be of the highest order, from spelling to grammar to deadlines to ethics. Turn in only your best work. You are expected to keep up with the class readings listed on the syllabus. Lastly, please silence your electronic devices, and also I must ask that there be absolutely no texting during class, Also, you may NOT use the lab computers during lecture time. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY Cheating or assisting to cheat, plagiarism, unauthorized possession of exams, copying or stealing other students assignments, and destruction or theft of lab equipment, such as computers or mice, are but a few offenses under academic dishonesty. A student who commits such an act will most likely receive a failing grade for the course. I encourage you to be particularly aware of plagiarism which includes, but is not limited to, the submission of assignments as one s own when such work actually was prepared by another person or copied from another person or another source. It also is a case of academic dishonesty when you and another person are working on a creative assignment or project together and both of you produce identical results. Coming up with the same answer may be desirable in math and sciences, but it does not apply to design work! STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES The University of West Florida supports an inclusive learning environment for all students. If there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that hinder your full participation, reasonable accommodations can be arranged. Prior to receiving accommodations, you must register with the Student Disability Resource Center. Appropriate academic accommodations will be determined based on the documented needs of the student. For information regarding the egistration process, email sdrc@uwf.edu, call 474-2387, or visit uwf.edu/ offices/student-disability-resource-center/. WEATHER EMERGENCY INFORMATION In the case of severe weather or other emergency, the campus might be closed and classes cancelled. Official closures and delays are announced on the UWF website and broadcast on WUWF-FM (88.1). In the event that hurricane preparation procedures are initiated, the UWF homepage will provide information regarding preparations procedures, the status of classes and the closing of the university. Information about hurricane preparedness plans is available on the UWF web site: http://uwf.edu/offices/police/safety-tips/hurricane-safety/. Information about other emergency procedures is available on the UWF website: http://uwf.edu/offices/emergency-management/emergency-plansprocedures/emergency-operations-and-procedures/ I also recommend you sign up for Argo Alert emergency text messages.
JOU 4213 Fall 2015 Syllabus 3 CLASS SCHEDULE Following is a tentative class schedule; we will try to stick to it, but changes are inevitable. We will have one 15-minute break during each class. Note: The readings assigned for the day should be completed before you come to class. Key: NDH is Harrower s Newspaper Designer s Handbook, your main text; NLD is Moen s Newspaper Layout and Design, on reserve at the library and online. Week 1 Aug. 24 NDH, pp. 1-16 NLD, Chap. 1 (pp. 5-13) I. Introduction; go over syllabus II. A brief history of American newspaper design; where we came from and where we re going (state of the industry) Web site assignment: By Friday, Aug. 28, at 5 p.m., please email this assignment to me at kefird@uwf.edu. III. Newspaper web design in brief Week 2 Aug. 31 Web site assignment due Friday, 8/28, via email NDH, pp. 18-20, pp. 38-41, pp. 73-77, pp. 86-87; and Chaps. 2 and 5 NLD, Chaps. 2, 4, 19 (I know this is a lot; do what you can, with your primary text being the first priority) I. Introduction to newspaper design: fundamentals; the WED concept; visual journalism; Moen s the best way to tell the story concept The basics: Tools of the trade; language of design; measurements II. The basics: modular layouts, grids, drawing dummies Assignment 1: Two inside page dummies. Due: Tues., Sept. 8 Due to the turn-in envelope on the adjunct office door by 5 p.m. Tues. 9/8 III. InDesign: Tutorial, basics and tips (tip sheets can be found on our class web site) Week 3 Sept. 7 LABOR DAY NO CLASS MEETING Assignment 1: Two inside page dummies Due to the turn-in envelope on the adjunct office door by 5 p.m. Tues. 9/8 Catch up on any reading you didn t get done last week LABOR DAY NO CLASS MEETING Assignment will be emailed to you and on our class website. Due: Mon., Sept. 14
JOU 4213 Fall 2015 Syllabus 4 Week 4 Sept. 14 TBA NDH, pp. 78-85, 98-105 NLD, Chaps. 3, 13, 18 I. Design Principles II. The basics, cont.; Drawing dummies; go over dummy assignment 1; designing inside pages; story design, page design III. InDesign: In-class lab: A simple certificate; turn in before you leave tonight Assignment 2: Inside page dummy with photo. Due: Mon., Sept. 21 In-class lab: certificate; turn in before you leave tonight Week 5 Sept. 21 Assignment 2: Inside page dummy with photo NDH, pp. 26-37 I. The basics cont.: Headlines; the 4 basic elements; elements of design; design guidelines II. Go over dummy assignment 2; Review for Test Lab assignment 1: Paginate an inside page in InDesign using your dummy page from Assignment 1. Due: Mon., Sept. 28 III. InDesign: Tutorial part 2, working with photos; start on your lab Week 6 Sept. 28 Lab 1: Paginated inside page Review readings and handouts for test TEST 1 Lab assignment 2: Paginate an inside page w/ photo using your In- Design using dummy assign. 2. Due: Mon., Oct. 5 Extra credit lab: Paginate another page from Assignment 2. Due: Tues., Oct. 5 Bring your Sunday newspaper, scissors and glue stick next time. Week 7 Oct. 5 Lab 2: Paginated inside page with photo Extra credit lab NDH, pp. 21-25; NLD, Chap. 8 I. Go over Test 1; Typography introduction II. Typography, cont. IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENT: Find one example each of the six races of typography cut out (not torn, and not the entire page) from the newspaper you brought, or from any printed publication. Label each. Mount with glue stick on a 8½ x 11 inch piece of paper. No sharing examples! Turn in before you leave tonight. Lab assignment 3: Typography. Print out a copy to turn in; do not email! Put your name on it! Due: Mon., Oct. 12 Sign up for midterm conferences
JOU 4213 Fall 2015 Syllabus 5 Week 8 Oct. 12 Lab 3: Typography NLD, Chap. 9, 10 I. Typography, cont. Legibility, using type II. Typography, cont. III. InDesign: Typography; Fix Me lab work Midterm conferences Lab assignment 4: Paginate an inside page w/ a photo and stories. Due: Mon., Oct. 19 In-class lab: FixMe Lab 1 Week 9 Oct. 19 Lab 4: Paginated inside page w/ photo NDH pp. 8, 13; Chap. 7 NLD Chap. 15 I. Typography, conclusion II. Tabloids Review for Test 2 (Typography) III. InDesign: Fix Me lab work Assignment 3: Find one example each of a good and a poor use of type from any printed publication. Label each example and explain why you think it s good or poor. Mount each on 8½ x 11 inch paper. Due: Mon., Oct. 26 Midterm conferences Lab 5: A tabloid cover. Due: Mon., Oct. 26 In-class lab: FixMe Lab 2 Week 10 Oct. 26 Assignment 3: Good/bad type examples Lab 5: Tabloid cover Review readings and handouts for test I. TEST 2: Typography. BRING A PENCIL. II. InDesign Midterm conferences Lab 6: Paginate an inside page of the Voyager. Due: Mon., Nov. 2 Extra credit lab: Set your own name as a feature headline in the style of the US Magazine examples we saw in class. Use only ONE SANS SERIF typeface, but you may use different forms of the typeface. Due: Mon., Nov. 2 Week 11 Nov. 2 Lab 6: Inside Voyager page Extra credit lab NDH, pp. 7, 88-97, 162-165 NLD p. 196-200, 202-204 I. Go over Test 2. Feature pages II. Designing front pages; alternative story formats III. InDesign: FixMe lab work Lab 7: Dummy and paginate a front page using InDesign. Due: Mon., Nov. 9 Final project sketches. Due: Mon., Nov. 9 FINAL PROJECT ASSIGNED In-class lab: FixMe Lab 3
JOU 4213 Fall 2015 Syllabus 6 Week 12 Nov. 9 Lab 7: Front page Final project sketches NDH, pp. 32-37, 204-205, Chap. 4; NLD, Chap. 5 I. Photos: Introduction II. Photos, cont.: designing photo spreads; art and illustrations; ethics III. InDesign: FixMe lab work Assignment 4: Find one example each of a good and a poor photo from any newspaper. (These may NOT be in an advertisement.) Label each example and explain why you think it s good or poor. Mount each with glue stick on 8½ x 11 paper. Due: Mon., Nov. 16 Week 13 Nov. 16 Assignment 4: Good and poor photo examples NDH, pp. 9-12, 212-218; Chap. 8 NLD, pp. 204-209; Chap. 6, 7, 11, 14, 17 I. Information graphics Color II. Business pages, editorial pages, sports, packages; college papers/reaching younger readers Redesigns III. InDesign: Fix Me lab Final project sketches returned. Start working on your final project front pages on the computer. Please email me drafts as you work on it. Extra credit: Find one example each of a good and a poor infographic from any newspaper. (These may NOT be in an advertisement.) Label each example and explain why you think it s good or poor. Mount each with glue stick on 8½ x 11 paper. Due: Mon., Nov. 23 Extra credit: Find one example each of a good and a poor use of color from any printed publication. Label each, mount on 8½ x 11 paper and give a brief explanation of why you think it s good or bad. Due: Mon., Nov. 23 Lab 8: Online color. Go to http:// www.newsu.org/ and search for Color in News Design. Due: Mon., Nov. 23. Week 14 Nov. 23 Lab 8 online color Extra credit: Good and poor infographic ex.; Good and bad color ex. Review readings for test I. TEST 3: Photos, art, illustrations, infographics, color; sports, editorial, business pages, redesigns II. InDesign: Work on final projects Final projects!! Week 15 Nov. 30 Final project presentations Have a good holiday break! Pick up your graded final projects in the ComArts office after Dec. 7.