THE ART INSTITUTE OF FORT LAUDERDALE COURSE SYLLABUS Spring 2009 Instructor: Debbie Rose Myers Telephone: 954-308-2339 E-Mail: dlrose-myers@aii.edu Office Location: M427 Website: www.debbierosemyers.com Course Title: Course Description: Course Length: In preparation for job interviews, a graphic design print and digital portfolio is completed in this course. Working individually with the instructor, each student will select representative pieces to discuss and refine. Emphasis will be on showcasing a unique style and demonstration of conceptual abilities and technical competencies that meet the requirements of the Bachelors in the Graphic Design program. 11 weeks Academic Credits Awarded: 3 Instructional Hours: 44 Clock Hours: Prerequisites: Learning Objectives: 2 lecture hours + 2 lab hours GRA4951C The student will: 1. Complete 11 of the 22 pieces required for their professional portfolio as determined by the portfolio list. 2. Produce professional quality work that demonstrates unique creative applications. 3. Develop and organize previous pieces which demonstrate the skills required to secure employment in the Graphic Design field. 4. Demonstrate knowledge of, and employ a variety of presentation techniques to display works. 5. Evaluate sample resumes, and develop a resume according to suggested guidelines. 6. Develop an effective cover letter. 7. Develop verbal and interpersonal skills to enhance professionalism and marketability. Methods of Assessment: Lectures, discussions, demonstration, in-class and take-home projects, group critiques and individual consultation, exams. Myers Page 1 Last reviewed: 3/31/09
Course Syllabus, Page 2 Grading Criteria (%): Project #1: Individual Portfolio Piece 10% Project #2: Individual Portfolio Piece 10% Project #3: Individual Portfolio Piece 10% Project #4: Individual Portfolio Piece 10% Project #5: Individual Portfolio Piece 10% Project #6: Individual Portfolio Piece 10% Project #7: Individual Portfolio Piece 10% Project #8: Individual Portfolio Piece 10% Project #9: Individual Portfolio Piece 10% Project #10: Individual Portfolio Piece 10% Professional 25% Technical 25% Design 25% Concept 25% Method of Evaluation: A = 94-100 4.0 C = 74-76 2.0 A-= 90-93 3.7 C-= 70-73 1.7 B+= 87-89 3.4 D+ = 67-69 1.4 B= 84-86 3.0 D = 60-66 1.0 B-= 80-83 2.7 D-=n/a C+=77-79 2.4 F = below 60 0.0 Required Student Text: Textbook: The Graphic Designer s Guide to Portfolio Publisher: John Wiley Author: Debbie Rose Myers ISBN-10: 470184760 Suggested Student Text: Textbook: A History of Graphic Design Publisher: Van Nostrand Reinhold Author: Phillip Meggs ISBN: 0471291986 Textbook: Becoming a Graphic Designer Publisher: John Wiley& Son Author: Heller & Fernandes ISBN 0-471-29299-0 Suggested Periodicals: Suggested Website: Cost: Required Supplemental Materials: Cost: Communication Arts, Coyne & Blanchard, Inc. MACWORLD: The Macintosh Magazine, Macworld Communications Print: America's Graphic Design Magazine, RC Publications How: Ideas and Techniques in Graphic Design, F&W Publications AIGA website: http://www.aiga.org/ Varies according to book selected. 15x20 black mat boards, acetate, color output of work, Storage Media. Additional presentation materials as needed to develop individual pieces. Mat boards for all pieces. Cost for this course can vary depending on the final output for the pieces. A presentation portfolio is required. The student should plan on spending at least $150.00 for this course. References: Myers Page 2 Last reviewed: 3/31/09
Course Syllabus, Page 3 Policies - All policies of the Student Handbook apply to this course. These include, but are not limited to, grading policies, attendance and plagiarism. (SEE ALSO COURSE POLICIES) Attendance - Any student who does not attend class for 10 consecutive calendar days may be withdrawn from school. Absences of more than 9 hours in a 3 hours per week course or 12 hours in a 4 hours per week course constitute failure. Please see the student attendance policy in the student Handbook or the catalog for further information. ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) - To meet the needs of our students with disabilities and to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title 111, the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale maintains reasonable accommodations for students with physical and learning disabilities. Students or applicants who would like to request reasonable accommodations should contact the Director of Counseling for The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. The Counseling Department is located on the First Floor (1st) of the Main Building. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Counseling Department in advance of the quarter of study when accommodations may be needed. Estimated Homework Hours: approximately 4 hours per week Technology Needed: access to Quark XPress, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Internet Student Responsibilities / Classroom Policies: Spring 2009 Quarter Spring 2009 Classes Start Monday, April 6, 2009 Week 1 Good Friday (holiday) Friday, April 10, 2009 Week 1 Add/Drop Period April 6 13, 2009 Week 1 Graduation Application Period for SU09 Grads Monday, April 27 May 1, 2009 Week 4 Online Course Withdraw Deadline 1st Session Wednesday, May 6, 2009 Week 5 Registration Advisement May 4 15, 2009 Week 5 & 6 EREG (Online) Registration Period May 18 31, 2009 Week 7 & 8 Memorial Day Holiday Monday, May 25, 2009 Week 8 Course Withdraw Deadline onground Friday, June 5, 2009 Week 9 Online Course Withdraw Deadline 2nd Session Friday, June 12, 2009 Week 10 Graduate Candidacy Clearance Monday, June 15, 2009 Week 11 Summer 2009 Schedules Available Monday, June 15, 2009 Week 11 Portfolio Review & Graduation Thursday, June 18, 2009 Week 11 Last Day of Classes Saturday, June 20, 2009 Week 11 Spring Break June 21, 2009 July 12, 2009 Important - Always check the student newsletter and postings on the bulletin boards, the glass cases in the halls and elevators. Myers Page 3 Last reviewed: 3/31/09
Course Syllabus, Page 4 TOPICAL OUTLINE Week 1 4-6-09 LECTURE/DEMO: Introduce assignments, materials, and course procedures. Define Communications and Graphics key elements to an effective portfolio. Review portfolio list. PROJECT #1: Layouts for redesign. Week 2 4-13-09 Conduct individual portfolio reviews. Review and critique assigned pieces (see list). Continuation of Project 1. Week 3 4-20-09 LECTURE/DEMO: Discussion, and presentation of portfolio material. Review and critique assigned pieces (see list). PROJECT #2: Individual Portfolio Reviews as assigned. Week 4 4-27-09 LECTURE/DEMO: Discussion on Portfolio Presentation Techniques, including Design. Analysis and Resume Design. Review and critique assigned pieces. PROJECT #3: Individual Portfolio Reviews as assigned. Week 5 5-4-09 LECTURE: Open Portfolio Review Sign-up (first come, first serve) PROJECT #4 & 5: Two completed art directed portfolio pieces with supporting thumbnails and roughs, plus three additional pieces, either re-dos or approved finished pieces. Week 6 5-11-09 LECTURE/DEMO: Individual Final Portfolio Presentation Review. PROJECT #6:Work on completing required number of portfolio pieces and portfolio list. Week 7 5-18-09 LECTURE: Individual Final Portfolio Presentation Review. PROJECT #7: Work on completing required number of portfolio pieces and portfolio list. Week 8 5-25-09 LECTURE: Individual Final Portfolio Presentation Review. PROJECT #8: Work on completing required number of portfolio pieces and portfolio list. Week 9 6-1-09 LECTURE: Individual Final Portfolio Presentation Review. PROJECT #9:Work on completing required number of portfolio pieces and portfolio list. Week 10 6-8-09 Week 11 6-15-09 Individual Final Portfolio Presentation Review. PROJECT #10: Work on completing required number of portfolio pieces and portfolio list Media explorations. CRITIQUE. Individual Final Portfolio Presentation Review. Assignment: TWO additional art directed portfolio pieces including thumbnails and roughs, for a total of ten (10) portfolio pieces. Syllabus is subject to change. Myers Page 4 Last reviewed: 3/31/09
Course Syllabus, Page 5 Topics 1. Performance Standards: Vector-based, Raster-based and Page layout integration techniques 2. Professional Portfolio preparation and presentation 3. Professional quality work 4. Defining project objectives: CONCEPT - Knowledge presentation. Ease of use. Navigational function. CONTENT - Platform independence. Operational. Good design. FOLLOW THROUGH - Project completion based upon agreed time line. 5. Enhanced design skills: Effectively using color to create an appropriate message Advanced knowledge of type and related type issues 6. Finding originality in completed projects Application of a level of unique originality to each required piece in the student portfolio 7. Advanced color issues for output 8. Demonstrate advanced proficiency of print output procedures. 9. Organize the portfolio projects: Designing and editing text, drawings, charts, graphics 10. Presentation and display environments 11. Demonstrate knowledge of type and related type issues for portfolio display 12. Preparing to take a successful interview Method of Assessment: Portfolio pieces must be designed in conjunction with curriculum at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. All pieces must be approved by the Portfolio Instructor for inclusion in the portfolio by Week 9. Students must complete all projects on the Portfolio list. No single item may be used to fulfill more than one requirement. Additional pieces may be included, but they must be approved by the Portfolio instructor. The pieces must be completed by the date of the Faculty Review in Week 10. There will be no extensions. An incomplete portfolio will result in automatic failure. Students must participate in the Employer Portfolio Review (even if they are already employed). Absence at this review will result in automatic failure. Students must receive a grade of "C" or higher in the portfolio classes in order to graduate. Students will complete 10 of the 20 pieces required for their professional portfolio as determined by the portfolio list. Assignments and projects are evaluated individually. Students will produce professional quality work that demonstrates unique creative applications. Pieces must be designed after art direction from the instructor which will include thumbnails, roughs, and final mounted pieces. The student MUST have each of these steps approved by the instructor before moving on to the next step. Pieces that are not graded and approved by the instructor may NOT be used as part of the student AIFL portfolio. The student is not limited to the list, but is required to have all portfolio work approved by the instructor. Myers Page 5 Last reviewed: 3/31/09
Course Syllabus, Page 6 Topics Grading: Students must receive a grade of "C" or higher in this class in order to graduate. The portfolio must be complete by the designated date for this to happen. All pieces must be presented, in completed form, to the instructor for approval. Student must complete ALL portfolio pieces from the Portfolio list. Additional pieces may be included, but pieces that are not approved by the instructor may NOT be used as part of the student AIFL portfolio. Any new pieces must designed after art direction from the instructor, which will include thumbnails, roughs, and final mounted pieces. The student MUST have each of these steps approved by the instructor before moving on to the next step. If the student is working on a portfolio piece in another class, you must show your work in progress to the portfolio instructor. You will receive two grades in this class, one midterm and one final. Grades will be based upon: Completion of the required number of pieces Quality of design Technical competency Professional presentation 12th Quarter Bachelors Degree Portfolio Categories of Sample Items You Can Have PROMOTIONAL 1. Corporate Identity Package (logo, letterhead, business card, envelope) 2. Folder (text, visuals, captions) 3. Poster 4. Self Promo (card, folder, brochure, stationary) 5. Resume 6. Annual Report 7. 3-D Design/Package Design/POP ADVERTISING 8. Comprehensive (Newspaper Advertisement) 9. Comprehensive (Magazine Advertisement) 10. Comprehensive (Open, Advertisement) 11. Series (Advertisement) 12. Series (Advertisement) 13. Out of Home (billboard, transit, or shelter) EDITORIAL 14. Magazine (cover, contents page, photo essay or article) 15. Newspaper (selection cover or tabloid) 16. Newsletter (in-house or general) 17. Books (cover, dust jacket, or page design) PRODUCTION 18. Roughs (development from thumbs to full size on any project) 19. Mechanical (camera ready) 20. Senior Project/Internship 21. Digital Portfolio (CD or other format) Bold indicates that which you are required to have. Myers Page 6 Last reviewed: 3/31/09