COURSE SYLLABUS

Course:                  Graphic Design I and 2

Course Number:  Art 151

Professor:              Rebekah Higgins                

Semester:             Spring 2008

Office:                    M2-18

Office Hours:        TBA

Phone:                   215 751 8298

e-mail:                    rhiggins@ccp.edu

 

Prerequisite for Graphic Design 1: Art 125, Design I and Art 150, Introduction to Computer Art/Graphics (class meets for six hours per week)

Prerequisite for Graphic Design 2: Graphic Design 1

 

Overview
Graphic Design focuses the student on creating concepts relevant to visual communication. Graphic Design is a huge field encompassing everything from napkins to billboards, film to greeting cards and designers can work in a vast array of different workplaces from ad houses, to studios, to in-house design departments. A good designer is prized for their adaptability and problem solving capabilities as well as their technical skill. Computers have permeated every aspect of the workplace and design is no exception, most of today’s design is completed on the computer (not necessarily conceptualized there). In Graphic Design 1 we will be utilizing Illustrator, Photoshop and hand building as appropriate and in Graphic Design 2 we will be utilizing In Design, Illustrator, Photoshop and hand building as appropriate. Emphasis will always be on concept and problem solving with the computer thought of as a tool for execution and production. There will also be a strong emphasis on hand sketching and research.

 
For our purpose design means “to intend for a definite purpose”. Graphic Design involves thinking, problem solving and planning. While expanding on the concepts mastered in your prerequisites...you will be given the parameters of an assignment, shown example(s) or directed to seek them out, taught the appropriate technical skills needed to complete the assignments and provided direction throughout your process, but the concepts, research, application of technical skills and the care in craftsmanship is up to you as the designer.
 
Teaching Philosophy/Classroom environment
As this is a more advanced series of design classes I focus on being more of a facilitator in these courses, treating you as a peer as much as I possibly can with the understanding that I do have to evaluate your work as part of my responsibilities. I like to work with you in a conversational and participatory style and providing honest feedback, information and direction, but you ultimately make the course for yourselves and each other. I am here to set criteria, present new information, assign projects and deadlines, help with technical issues, provide feedback and facilitate critiques. You have my commitment that I will always make my best effort to be fair, helpful and appropriately available with a wholehearted desire to see each of you succeed and that I make judgments on how to spend my energy with that desire in mind.
 
Professional classroom behavior is…
·         Being here and being here on time.
 
·         Being prepared for each class with materials, assignments and information needed regardless of any missed classes or lateness. If for illness or other circumstances you miss a class you will need to obtain notes, handouts and homework assignments from another student in class, not from me. This ultimately cuts down on redundancy and allows me to utilize my skills to be of better service to you. This is how it works at college, please get into good habits. Please exchange contact info with others in the 1st class so that you can be prepared in the event that you miss something.
 
·         (If you are late) Waiting until I have finished talking, demonstrating, critiquing and then quietly asking another student what’s up, if this can be accomplished during break as to not disturb others all the better. You may quietly put your work up on the wall if you are late and the class is still critiquing assignments.
 
·         Keeping all your handouts and getting a copy from another student if you lose one.
 
·         Scheduling yourself and being self directed in this course as would be expected of any sophomore design student at any art school. This can be a little challenging at first, but rather exciting once you get into it.
 
·         (If I am talking to the class) Always stopping any other conversation and waiting to resume it until I am finished and since there are 2 classes running at the same time, please stop talking when I am talking to either group as it is very distracting
 
·         Understanding that a person simply can not have a legitimate conversation with you about work they can not view with you present. Thus I can not discuss work with you on the phone or via e-mail; you must come to my office during office hours or during class (discuss issues before the project is due). The potential for miscommunication increases exponentially when we are not looking at your project together where I can point, circle etc., so I won’t do it, please don’t ask. If you miss 2 or more consecutive classes, try to have someone bring in your project so I can write on it directly and have them return it to you.

·         Abiding by all other studio and class policies.
 
You are all capable of more than you know now; you are all capable of truly outstanding work. In this course we must foster a commitment to each other and to the work we do here. You will be respectfully pushed to do and be your best and to think and act both collectively and independently. We are a community of independent thinkers.
 
 
Materials needed:
A least 2 jump/thumb drives
A tracing pad
A notebook/binder
A fine tipped black marker and a thick tipped black marker
Other materials may vary according to your own choices within a given project, you will definitely need a certain amount of specialty paper, foam core, illustration board and color printouts. Please budget between $150-200 for the course.
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Course Expectations:
There will be 7-10 design projects, including a final project and a series of smaller design exercises. Design exercises will be completed during class time and design projects during class and homework time. Students can expect to spend at least 6 hour per week on homework. Schedule of topics listed below may vary.
 
Topics for both sections include (Graphic Design 2 explores these topics in a more advanced way):
Typographic issues, Exploring Grids and Figure/Ground Relationships, Integration of Word and Image Poster Design, Symbol Making, Identity, Page Layout, Message Making, Montage, Book Design and Package Design.
 
Instructor availability:
If you are having difficulty or would like to discuss your work, please drop by during office hours or phone me to arrange for a personal meeting. My office is M2–18. 215 751 8298. Hours will be posted on my door at the end of week 1.

 

Submission of Work

In the professional world, lateness is never tolerated. I might add, neither is it at the next level of your transferred school. It is expected that work will be submitted on time and in complete form.          

Work 1 week late or less will have 10 points (1 letter grade) deducted from the assessed grade. If late work is handed later than 1 week past its due date, it will no longer be accepted for a grade and will be considered a missed assignment (A big Fat ZERO).

 

 

Grading Criteria

Students will be individually assessed and evaluated. Their performance in achieving objectives will be rated by the standard A,B,C,D,F grading system. (See grading scale, below.) The measures of student performance are as follows:

 

1)            Assignments. Successful completion of weekly assignments and a final project, which counts for as much as 15% of the final grade are a primary measure of success in this course. The quality of the design concept, the completeness of the work, and its craftsmanship will be equally weighted for each piece handed in. Each project has its own criteria and grades are assigned based on the meeting of these criteria. Know the objectives and criteria for each project.

 

2)            Attendance, punctuality, and preparedness. Attendance in class is extremely important. There is no substitute for interaction with and feedback from the instructor during class work; nor can the benefits derived from informal learning from peers be underestimated. These aspects of the course provide an invaluable immediate, ongoing resource that cannot be duplicated in any other way. In addition, College policy states that missing more than the equivalent of two weeks class can result in a student’s being dropped from the course. Thus, completion of successful assignments may not be sufficient for a passing grade in this course. Good attendance, punctuality, and coming to class with the required materials are also required of each student. Missing three classes or more can seriously affect a student’s overall outcome, lowering it one letter grade, 6 missed classes is an automatic failure. 2 lates are counted as absence.

 

3)            Critique Sessions. Students are expected to have work completed on time and present it for our weekly wall critique. They are further expected to be able to talk about their designs in a clear and articulate manner, as well as be willing and able to discuss the work of their fellow classmates. They will be observed and evaluated in how effectively they perform this task.

 

The following breakdown reflects the criteria stated above:

 

Projects/Exercises                              85% (with the final project counting for up to 15% of the 85%)

Critique/Participation                                         15%

                               

Attendance

Three classes missed = grade lowered one letter grade

Six classes missed = mandatory failure or withdrawal from course

 

Grading Scale

Student’s performance will be evaluated using the following grading scale which reflects the dual nature of all art classes, blending evaluation of skills and aesthetic judgments.

 

      A = Student understands and shows mastery over the techniques and concepts being taught; can apply these techniques and concepts to well conceived pieces of art and design. Student shows progress and makes conscientious effort to risk, question, and understand various techniques and concepts and consistently bring this knowledge to bear on the produced work. Student devoted great effort and time to class work and assignments so that the work submitted is of the highest possible quality in both

concept and execution; meets all the deadlines for assignments; arrives on time; has an excellent attendance record, and participates in critiques.

    

      B = Student has good facility with the techniques and concepts being taught. Application of techniques and understanding of concepts is very good, but while. Good or excellent in one area, the student is weak in another, for example in execution. Completed assignments show progress and good effort in work. Meeting deadlines, attendance, punctuality and participation in critiques also Influence this grade.

 

      C = Student demonstrates average facility with the techniques and concepts being taught, shows progress and development in using them, but while good in one area, the student is significantly weak in another. Meeting deadlines, attendance and punctuality and participation in critiques also influence this grade.

 

      D = Student displays difficulty with the techniques and concepts being taught; needs more practice to develop skills; expression of techniques and understanding of concepts is weak; exerts minimum effort on class work and assignments; misses classes or is tardy; comes to class without work and shows no progress or desire to improve.

 

       F = Student has no aptitude for the techniques and does not exhibit understanding of concepts that have been taught. Combined display of techniques and understanding of concepts is poorly demonstrated; exerts little effort.

 

Studio/Classroom Policies

The Art Department at Community College of Philadelphia is one of the strongest and most successful two-year transfer programs in the country. The high quality and standards of our program are due to how successfully students and teachers work together.

 

The following guidelines and policies are designed to foster mutual respect, promote harmony and to ensure a healthy, creative environment for continued success in our program. To encourage a professional atmosphere, the following standards must be maintained.

 

  • No food in the studios or classrooms
  • No walkmans, earphones, mp3 players etc.
  • Do not leave tape, glue or other materials on the tables
  • Classwork or homework left on walls or tables may be discarded
  • Students are responsible for cleaning up their work area before leaving the classroom
  • Unauthorized student visits to classes in session, including working in lofts without permission of the instructor, will not be allowed
  • Socializing should not take place during class session
  • Children are not permitted in classrooms or studios
  • Phones and beepers and other electronics must be turned off during class
  • Understand that all work created in class and in Community College of Philadelphia is owned by Community College of Philadelphia