Course ARTS 2331 Introduction to Graphic Design Professor Sherry Saunders Semester Spring 2016 Class Hours M/W, 8:00am 10:45am Email sherry.freyermuth@lamar.edu Office Hours Thursdays 11am 3pm by appointment, Rm 209 Introduction to Graphic Design Classroom and Grading Policies Course Description Course Content Student Learning Outcomes Course Requirements Other Required Course Materials This course is an introduction to graphic design, incorporating the basic principles of typography, layout and design for print and digital media. To provide students with the opportunity to learn and understand the aesthetic and pragmatic fundamentals of contemporary graphic design through the medium of traditional print graphics and electronic graphics. This course is constructed to develop confidence in creativity, aesthetic judgment, self-expression and critical thinking skill, which expand creative solutions in the varied facets of contemporary graphic design. Exhibit a working knowledge of the developmental process of graphic design. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of print and electronic media vehicles and how they may affect the final product. Exhibit a wide knowledge of typography and its significance in graphic design Demonstrate a thorough understanding of both traditional and contemporary technology as it applies to the production of communication graphics. Understand the development and application of design solutions through documented research, reports, written essays, textbook readings, and client interviews. Demonstrate oral presentation skill, professional demeanor and persuasion techniques in a stimulated professional environment. Develop an understand of the potential and limitations of the various communications design media. In the evaluation of final projects, I will look for well reasoned ideas presented in a manner that is visually effective and well crafted. Your work should be the result of extensive investigation and exploration, possible only with a great deal of time and effort. I will be looking for your personal growth and progress toward professionalism. It is absolutely essential you participate verbally in critiques and ongoing class discussions. I see your participation in class as a sign of enthusiasm and your participation can help bump grades up or down. Come to class prepared to work. Save and document your work. Turn off cell phones during critiques, lectures and demonstrations. USB storage device Utility Knife Straight Edge 1-8 1/2 x 11 Ream of paper (500 Sheets)
Inroduction to Graphic Design Classroom and Grading Policies Required Books and Tutorials Recommended Books must be purchaced by the second week of classes. Meggs History of Graphic Design Philip Meggs ISBN 978-0-471-69902-6 The New Graphic Design School: A Foundation Course in Principles and Practice David Dabner, Sheena Calvert, & Anoki Casey Wiley; 5th edition ISBN-10: 1118134419 Outside of class, you will need to practice your software skills in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Indesign. You may want to purchase a guide to help you with this. I personally like lynda.com, a video tutorial site that you can subscribe to for a monthly cost. If you prefer books, there are a number of options available as well. Course Subject Outline and Course Grading Exercises 25% Quizzes 15% Presentation 10% Project 1 25% Project 2 25% 100% Email Etiquette Blackboard When contacting me via e-mail, include subject, salutation (Hello Sherry), and sign off (your name). Please do not text me. I will utilize your e-mail address that has been provided to me by Lamar University for necessary course information and announcements. It is essential you have access to Blackboard for this course. Blackboard will be utilized for lectures, problem criteria, and quizzes. You will be required to upload images of models, completed work, research and presentations. Attendance Policy Regular attendance plays a key role in the successful completion of this course. Students are expected to attend all class meetings. However, students are allowed excused absences either in the case of a university-sponsored activity or by seeking the prior approval of the instructor. The latter excused absence is given at the discretion of the instructor in cases of personal emergency. As per university policy, approved absences call for the privilege to make up examinations and assignments without penalty; this privilege does not extend to unapproved absences or to pre-critique and critique. Therefore, a student s unapproved absences may interfere seriously with classroom performance, resulting in either a lowered letter grade or (in extreme circumstances) being dropped from the class. The following Department of Art policies apply to missed classes. Three unexcused absences will automatically result in a lowered letter grade. After that, the course letter grade will be lowered half a letter grade for each additional absence. Exhibition Attendance As part of your artistic development, students are strongly encouraged to regularly attend art openings available in the community and beyond during the semester. Venues include, but are not limited to, the Dishman Art Museum, the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, and the Art Studio, Inc. Students in this class will receive 5 extra credit points (maximum) on a given assignment for attending an event. You must submit proof of attendance such as an exhibition card and a one page written description/review of the exhibition to receive your extra credit points.
Classroom and Grading Policies Students with Disabilities Lamar University is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. The Disability Resource Center (DRC) is located in the Communications building room 105. Office staff collaborate with students who have disabilities to provide and/or arrange reasonable accommodations. For students: If you have, or think you may have, a disability (e.g., mental health, attentional, learning, chronic health, sensory, or physical), please contact the DRC at 409-880-8347 or drc@lamar.edu to arrange a confidential appointment with the Director of the DRC to explore possible options regarding equitable access and reasonable accommodations. If you are registered with DRC and have a current letter requesting reasonable accommodations, we encourage you to contact your instructor early in the semester to review how the accommodations will be applied in the course. Academic Honesty All students are expected to familiarize themselves with all university policies pertaining to academic performance and conduct. As stated in the Lamar Student Handbook, all students should maintain complete honesty and integrity in their academic experiences. In this course, disciplinary action will be brought against any student found guilty of academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work to be submitted, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials. Cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials are defined on page 82 of the Student Handbook. In addition, by University policy, a student cannot avoid any penalty for cheating set forth by the instructor in a course syllabus by dropping the course. Procedures for disciplinary action due to academic dishonesty shall be the same as in other violations of the Student Code of Conduct (see Student Handbook) except that all academic dishonesty cases shall first be considered and reviewed by the faculty member. The process of appeal is located in the Student Handbook available online. The course instructor will complete a thorough and impartial investigation of any instance of academic dishonesty. A student found guilty of academic dishonesty will be notified in writing by the instructor of the violation, the penalty, and the student s right to appeal the determination of dishonesty and/or the sanction imposed. Penalties for academic dishonesty in this course will result in either a lowered letter grade or failure of the course as determined by the instructor. Graphic Design Lab Hours Policies and Procedures The computer lab will be open M-R during regular business hours (8-5). You are welcome to use the lab any time during the week outside of scheduled class times. Evening and weekend hours will be announced and posted by the second week of class. All students working in the computer lab are responsible maintaining a safe and user-friendly atmosphere. No downloading and installing programs / updates / chat programs on any computer in the lab. No copies of Lamar University software may be produce at any time. Maintain a clean and organized computer lab. No Food or beverages at work stations. Adhere to Computer Lab Hours You must have a pass to work outside of class hours
Emergency Procedures Emergency Procedures Many types of emergencies can occur on campus; instructions for severe weather or violence/ active shooter, fire, or chemical release can be found at: http://www.lamar.edu/about-lu/administration/risk-management/index.html. Following are procedures for the first two: Severe Weather Follow the directions of the instructor or emergency personnel. Seek shelter in an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor, putting as many walls as possible between you and the outside. If you are in a multi-story building, and you cannot get to the lowest floor, pick a hallway in the center of the building. Stay in the center of the room, away from exterior walls, windows, and doors. Violence/Active Shooter (CADD) CALL - 8-3-1-1 from a campus phone (880-8311 from a cell phone). Note: Calling 9-1-1 from either a campus phone or cell phone will contact Beaumont City Police Dispatch rather than University Police. AVOID- If possible, self-evacuate to a safe area outside the building. Follow directions of police officers. DENY- Barricade the door with desks, chairs, bookcases or any other items. Move to a place inside the room where you are not visible. Turn off the lights and remain quiet. Remain there until told by police it is safe. DEFEND- Use chairs, desks, cell phones or whatever is immediately available to distract and/ or defend yourself and others from attack. Academic Continuity Plan In the event of an announced campus closure in excess of four days due to a hurricane or other disaster, students are expected to login to Lamar University s website s homepage (www. Lamar.edu) for instructions about continuing courses remotely.
Course Schedule A This grade is given for superior work that is a combination of excellent ideas and very high quality craftsmanship. It reflects extensive effort at all phases to produce work that is ambitious in scale or sophistication. This student demonstrates a commitment to the high standards of the communication arts. B Above average work comes with sound research, design development, creative thinking and very good craftsmanship. Care is taken at all phases of the design process. The solutions indicate a thorough understanding of the intent of the piece and of the materials utilized. A particularly strong idea combined with distinguished effort can result in this grade even if the final product falls short of the ambition of the concept. C Average work. By definition this represents the middle ground. This work fulfills the requirements with no distinction either in effort or solution. This work may be reasonably well crafted, but is otherwise ordinary. D Work that indicates a lack of ideas and poor craftsmanship. This work reflects a carelessness and very little time invested in research and/or the development of ideas. A minimum effort has been made. F Little or no work completed. Late or incomplete work will be reduced by one letter grade for each day it is late. After three class periods the work will not be accepted and will receive and F. I will not accept revised work for a new grade, but will offer new comments. Plagiarism: Immediate F for the course, probable expulsion from the University Incompletes are strongly discouraged and will be granted only in extraordinary cases. Your involvement in the course will be evaluated according to the following criteria Attendance in class Participation during critiques, discussions, and class meetings Improvement in work during the quarter Further research and investigation as evidenced in discussion or written in assignments Your art will be evaluated according to the following criteria The quality of the idea being explored The understanding and use of the visual elements and their relationships The success in executing the idea in material (technical skill; craftsmanship) Written assignments will be evaluated according to the following criteria Correct grammar and spelling Typed On-time submission
Course Schedule Week Monday Wednesday January One 18 No Class MLK Jr Day 20 Begin Exercise 1 Two 25 27 Exercise 1 Due February Three Four Five 1 8 Presentation 1 15 Exercise 3 Due 3 Exercise 2 Due 10 Presentation 2 17 Quiz 1 Six 22 Presentation 3 24 Exercise 4 Due Presentation 4 March Seven 29 Presentation 5 2 Quiz 2 Eight Nine 7 Exercise 5 Due 14 No Class Spring Break 9 Begin Project 1 16 No Class Spring Break Ten 21 23 Presentation 6 Eleven 28 Presentation 7 30 Quiz 3 April Twelve Thirteen Fourteen 4 11 18 6 Project 1 Due 13 20 Fifteen 25 27 May Sixteen 2 4 9 Last Day of Class Final Friday, May 13, 8:00am Project 2 Due