Graphic Design

 

Graphic design is everywhere. It is impossible to go through a day without seeing countless combinations of words and images on DVD covers, in magazines and books, on billboards, online, and even inside your kitchen cabinets! This course is designed for students who are interested in expressing themselves visually and digitally. 

 

In this class students will learn about Design Thinking, design elements and principles, creative and expressive typography, page layout, and digital image manipulation through the completion of both print and multimedia based assignments. Projects may include, but are not limited to the creation of logos, posters, ads, magazine spreads, information graphics, book covers, animations and websites. 

 

Industry standard software, Adobe Creative Suite, will be used as they explore two-dimensional and three-dimensional design projects. A major focus of the course is to develop students’ abilities to think creatively and generate good ideas. They will also develop manual as well as digital drawing, illustration, and layout techniques. 

 

 

With that being said, sitting down in front of a computer and throwing a few words and images on the screen does not make you a designer. Good design does not just happen on its own. All projects will be created through a process that involves research, writing, conceptualization, sketching, iteration and finally, skillful execution of your ideas.

 

Students will build and maintain a Digital Portfolio / Notebook, which will contain all of their completed assignments, projects and reflections for each.

 

Your sketchbook is your place to keep notes, brainstorm concepts, collect visual examples, sketch out ideas and reflect upon your work. The documentation of your creative process is as important as your final projects.

 

While I do not expect high AP quality drawings, I do expect you to put a a good deal of effort into your planning and drawings.  

 

Stick figures are not acceptable sketches nor are sketches done after you have created your computer project. 

 

Your sketch book will be collected and graded at the end of each marking period.

 

Many research assignments, such as finding examples of design that inspire you, are expected to be completed outside of class. Most other assignments and projects are designed to be completed within the allotted class time if class time is used effectively. 

 

All Final work must be exported as PNG and saved to your folder and uploaded to your website/portfolio.

 

Pay particular attention to what is required for submission for each project. There may be multiple pieces.

 

Goals:

To learn to think and make critically - both as an individual and as a group.

 

To develop visual literacy and the skills of 2D and 3D visualization using both analog and digital tools and techniques.

 

To understand and use basic concepts, elements and principles of design as they apply to graphic design.

 

To understand and apply the Design Process as it applies to graphic design.

 

Expectations:

Be on time.

Come to class with an open mind.

Be willing to take creative risks.

Come to class prepared to do the work that is assigned to the best of your ability and strive to become better.

Manage and use class time effectively to complete work in a timely fashion.

Treat teacher, fellow students and yourself and classroom with respect.

Use the equipment, materials and technology responsibly.

 

Studio Rules

1. No uncovered drinks and food in the computer lab!

2. Clean up after yourself. The studio must be clean at the end of the class.

3. Listening to music is permitted when I am not directly teaching and as long as you are wearing headphones.

5.Cell Phones must be placed into the phone sleeve at the front of the classroom. I reserve the right to confiscate your device until the end of class. Egregious misuse of your devices will result in appropriate action (see: responsible use policy). Electronic devices (cell phones, iPads ) may only be used with teacher permission, if it is a part of studio work.

Texting or phone calls are not permitted unless you have permission. 

6. Ask others before asking me, You are each others best and primary resource. Build a community of learners.

  

Grading

Grading for the course is as follows:

General Assessment 20%

Assignments & E-Portfolio 60%

Midterm Project 10%

Final Project 10%

 

General Assessment is the student’s overall behavior, attitude, personal growth and participation in class - how well they are meeting the goals and expectations of the class.

 

The Portfolio is made up of completed project grades. The 60% is based on the completion of work, meeting deadlines, the quality of work. The Final course grade is made up from the combined General Assessment and E-Portfolio grade plus the mid-term (written test and/or project) and final exam (project).

 

Grading Criteria

 

Unlike many other subjects, assessing a student's study in the arts, is more difficult to quantify in the typical sense. The grading of creative work is to a large extent subjective. In the end the degree of effort extended and the amount of growth achieved are more important than making superficially correct work. I would rather a student fail beautifully because they tried to extend beyond their own limitations, than to make the safe or “correct” choice. 

 

Grading Policy:

Homework

If homework is not completed for the start of the class on due dates, you will be given the opportunity to complete it THAT day. You will need to turn it in to me before school begins the very next day. To turn something in ‘the next day’, means next school day, not next class period.

 

Assignments:

The majority of work is done in class; therefore, there is no excuse for missing assignments. Due dates and deadlines are given far enough in advance, and are extremely fair. All re-worked/re-submitted pieces are due 2 weeks before the end of each half of the semester, at the latest. Missing work will be graded a 0% until completed and must be completed before the end of the midterm or end of the semester. If the work is not completed by that time the grade will stay a ZERO 0!

 

You have 1 week to make up any work from an excused absence. This includes projects, assignments, etc. It is the student’s responsibility to check for missed assignments in a timely manner and to turn in missing work. In emergencies and serious illnesses, obviously other accommodations between the student and teacher will be arranged.

 

What follows below are the guidelines that I use while assessing and deciding on a grade.

A

All of the work is present and fully complete in the e-portfolio. The work rises above the average by virtue of the depth of knowledge that is demonstrated. Critical thinking and making are clearly present. The work indicates a particularly strong effort to go beyond what is comfortable and known. The work shows an excellent grasp of the concepts and techniques explored in the assignment. It shows attention to detail and creative risk taking. The activity or project exceeds expectations and is completed in a timely fashion.

B

A clear majority of the work is present and substantially complete. It shows good effort, good grasp of the basic concepts and techniques of the project, good creative thinking and problem solving. Many details are present and there is evidence of risk taking and some attempt to push beyond the comfort zone. The work fulfills the expectations of the  activity or project and is completed in a timely fashion

C

Most of the work is present and complete. The work shows some effort and a beginning grasp of the concepts and techniques of the project. There is minimal creative thinking and problem solving demonstrated in the work. Few risks are taken and there is little attempt to challenge the limits of their knowledge. The work fulfills some of the expectations of the activity or project and may or may not be completed in a timely fashion

D

The majority of the work is not present and/or not complete in the e-portfolio. The work shows little or no effort, grasp of concepts and techniques, creative thinking or problem solving. There is little evidence of creative risk taking or growth. The work does not fulfill the expectations of the activity or project. The work has not been completed in a timely fashion.

F

There is no effort to meet the basic goals and expectations of the course. Work is not present in the e-portfolio, and the student makes no effort to participate in and/or attend the class.