Syllabus
Basic Graphic Design

Basic Graphic Design

ARTC-1305

Credit Fall 2020
08/24/2020 - 12/13/2020

Course Information

Section 004
Distance Learning
TTh 18:00 - 18:55
DLS DIL
Joshua Kight

Section 004
Laboratory
TTh 18:55 - 20:40
DLS DIL
Joshua Kight

Office Hours

  • T Th
    5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
    online

Course Requirements

                                               Basic Graphic Design
                                               NRG 

Instructor: Joshua Kight
Office Hrs:  t-th 5:30-6:00PM and by appointment                  

Office:online

, Ph: 784-7812
email jkight@austincc.edu   Call or email for appointment or conference

Visual Communications web site: www.austincc.edu/viscom


COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A study of two-dimensional  (2-D) design with emphasis on the visual communication design process.  Topics include basic terminology and graphic design principles, introduction to the fundamentals of design that lead to the discovery and comprehension of the visual language.  Form, balance, structure, rhythm, and harmony are studied in black and white and in color.  Various media will be used. Foundation laid for advanced courses in design.

Course Rationale

Basic Graphic Design is a foundation course that develops a student’s ability to analyze design using basic principles and theory applicable to all forms of art.  The course is based on the application of the fundamental elements of art. The student is introduce to tools and techniques used in today’s communication industry.  This course lays the foundation for more advanced design courses.

Course Prerequisites: None

Required Text / Materials: Graphic Design School David Dabner,Sandra Stewart & Abbie Vickress Seventh Addition

Student Learning Outcomes:Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

Familiarize the student with basic principles and fundamentals in visual art and design.

Develop basic skills using tools and theory used in design process.

Understand the creative process, develop techniques and methods of creative problem solving.

Introduce terminology necessary to communicate concepts and theory in art and design.

Create computer-based projects using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator software programs.

Familiarize students with the basic tools and pallets of Adobe Illustrator.

Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS):

SCANS Competencies

1.0 Resources

1.1 Manages Time

1.3 Manages Material and Facility Resources

2.0 Interpersonal

2.1 Participates as a Member of a Team

2.2 Teaches Others: Helps others to learn.     

2.4 Exercises Leadership

2.6 Works with Cultural Diversity

3.0 Information

3.1 Acquires and Evaluates Information

3.2 Organizes and Maintains Information

3.3 Uses Computers to Process Information

4.0 Systems

4.1Understands Systems

4.2 Monitors and Corrects Performance

5.0 Technology

5.1 Selects Technology

5.2 Applies Technology to Task

5.3 Maintains and Troubleshoots Technology

SCANS Foundation Skills

6.0 Basic Skills

6.1 Reading

6.2 Writing

6.3 Arithmetic

6.4 Mathematics

6.5 Listening

6.6 Speaking

7.0 Thinking Skills

7.1 Creative Thinking

7.2 Decision Making

7.3 Problem Solving

7.4 Mental Visualization

7.5 Knowing How To Learn

7.6 Reasoning

8.0 Personal Qualities

8.1 Responsibility

8.2 Self-Esteem

8.3 Sociability

8.4 Self-Management

8.5 Integrity/Honesty

For expanded definitions of the above listed SCANS, please go to: http://www.austincc.edu/mkt/scans.php

Instructional Methodology

In Basic Graphic Design individual assignments are based on the elements and principles of design.  Each assignment focuses on at least two elements.  Students are made aware of their importance relative the each assignment and are quizzed accordingly. The course starts with a very simple black and white assignment and progresses into value, color theory and eventually covers all the elements and principles discussed in the syllabus.  This course is based on the textbook used, David Lauer “Design Basics”  as well as a “real world” approach to projects.

Grading System:

Each student will be evaluated on each project according to individual performance and execution of assignments.  Factors included in evaluation are:

Design                    20 points
Creativity                      20 pts                                                 
Use of Medium & tools            10 pts

Presentation             15 pts                                                  
Meet Objectives           15 pts
Attendance                  10 pts                                                  
Meet Deadline                         10pts

100-90=A     89-80=B     79-70=C     69-60=D     Below 60=F


Instructor reserves that option of administering up to 4 Quizzes throughout the semester.  Each will be included in your overall grade.  10 Points will be deducted, for taking a quiz late.

Passing Grade Policy: Effective September 2005, D’s are not accepted as a passing grade within the Visual Communication Department courses. Students receiving a grade of D must retake the course to receive credit and to progress to the next level course. Students who made a D prior to September 2005 will be allowed to proceed to the next level course.

Course Policies:Attendance/Participation - Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

If for any reason you’re unable to come to class, you will be counted as absent. There is no distinction between an excused or unexcused absence, so use your absences meaningfully and sparingly. You are counted absent if:

·      you are not in class

·      you leave the class early

·      you get to class extremely late

 

At your third absence, you will fail the class and should withdraw from the course. If your third absence happens past the final withdrawal date of the semester, then your final grade will be lowered one letter grade for each subsequent absence. If you decide to withdraw from the course, it is your responsibility to officially withdraw yourself from the class through admissions and records. If you do not withdraw from the class, you will receive an F.

 

Withdrawal - It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

 

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall, 2002, may be charged a higher tuition rate, for that course. State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.

Missed or Late Work -

Assignments are due at the beginning of class periods. If turned in after that, the project is late. I will lower a project one letter grade for each class day that it is late.

 

Incomplete - An instructor may award a grade of “I” (Incomplete) if a student was unable to complete all of the objectives for the passing grade in a course. An incomplete grade cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester. The completion date is determined by the instructor but may not be later than the final deadline for withdrawal in the subsequent semester.

 

An incomplete (I) will be granted to a student in extremely rare circumstances. Generally, to receive a grade of I, a student must have completed all examinations and assignments to date, be passing, and have personal circumstances that prevent course completion that occur after the deadline to withdraw with a grade of W.

 

 

Scholastic Dishonesty - A student attending ACC assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the mission of the college as an educational institution. Students have the responsibility to submit coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations. Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, and falsifying documents. Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an “F” in the course and/or expulsion from the college. See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process and other policies at http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow

 

Copyright – The software programs used in the labs are licensed to the college, which is the original purchaser. Thus students cannot duplicate the software for their personal use. Do not use college equipment to duplicate software for other students or to produce work-for-profit.

Readings

Required Text / Materials: Graphic Design School(The principles and practice of Graphic design), Dabner, Stewart, Vickress. 7th addition edition

Wiley

www.tastytuts.com/ai-tuts.htmld

Adobe Creative Cloud

Course Subjects

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE: The sequence of the lessons listed below build on each other. Lessons are designed from simple to complex. Week Topic/Assignments Reading
Week Topic/Assignments Reading Week 
1 Introduction to Design Elements & Adobe Illustrator 1st Classroom Session Introduction to Adobe Illustrator, Design Elements, Design Process and assign Design Teams 
2nd Classroom Session Complete Tutorials, Begin Module #1 “Content & Form”
 Week 2 Assignment #1:  1st Classroom Session Group critique of thumbnails and computer production on Assign #1 2nd Classroom Session Complete Assign. #1”Content & Form” pg. 12 Point, pg. 40 Scale Pg. 84 Figure/Ground 
Week 3 Point, Module 1 Classroom Session Presentation of Assign#1 and Final critique, Lecture 2nd Classroom Session Begin for Assign. #2 pg. 12 Point, pg. 40 Scale Pg. 84 Figure/Ground 
Week 4 Module #2: Figure/Ground/reverse field,  1st Classroom Session Pg. 100 Framing Pg. 184 Patterns Group critique of thumbnails and Computer production on Assign.#2 2nd Classroom Session Refine thumbnails and begin production on Assign.#2
 Week 5 Assignment #2: Figure/Ground,  1st Classroom Session Complete Assign. #2 and begin Assign. #3 2nd Classroom Session Continue Assignment #3 
Week 6 Assignment #3 – Designing w/Type 1st Classroom Session Complete Assign. #3, Part I, begin Part II 1st Classroom Session Continue work on Assign. 3 Part II Pg. 40 Scale Pg. 52 Texture
 Week 7 Assignment #3 – Designing w/Type 1st Classroom Session Individual critique, work on computer, Assignment #3 2nd Classroom Session Continue working on Assignment #3 Pg. 40 Scale Pg. 52 Texture 
Week 8 Assignment #4 Color1st Classroom Session Present thumbnails and Group Critique 2nd Classroom Session Refine 2nd stage of thumbnails Handouts 
Week 9 Assignment #4 Color 1st Classroom Session Computer production on Assignment #4, mini critiques 2nd Classroom Session Computer production cont. and complete #4 
Week 10 Assignment #4 Color1st Classroom Session Lecture and begin Assignment #5 2nd Classroom Session Develop 1st Thumbnail stage
 Week 11 Assignment #5 ColorPART 1 1st Classroom Session Complete & Critique Final Illustration 2nd Classroom Session Work on refinement stage and computer production Pg. 114 Hierarchy Pg. 146 Transparency Pg. Time/Motion 
Week 12 Assignment #5 Emphasis/Focal Point PART 1 1st Classroom Session Work on refinement stage and computer production 2nd Classroom Session Work on refinement stage and computer production 
Week 13 Assignment #5 Poster, PART II 1st Classroom Session Review with Design Team and refine design 2nd Classroom Session Pickup final artwork & receive final grade
 Week 14 Assignment #5 Poster design PART II 1st Classroom Session Complete & Critique Final Illustration 2nd Classroom Session Begin final project
 Week 15 Assignment #6 Poster Design, Grid, Layers, Color 1st Classroom Session Continue Final Project 2nd Classroom Session Continue Final Project Pg. 70 Color Pg. 126 Layers Pg. 174 Grids Assignment #6 Poster Design, Grid, Layers, Color 1st Classroom Session Work and Complete Final Project 2nd Classroom Session Presentation and Critique Final Project * This outline is subject to change according to class progress and activities. New projects or activities may be substituted with or without notice. Which may be more beneficial to the individual class.

 

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

Student Learning Outcomes:Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

Familiarize the student with basic principles and fundamentals in visual art and design.

Develop basic skills using tools and theory used in design process.

Understand the creative process, develop techniques and methods of creative problem solving.

Introduce terminology necessary to communicate concepts and theory in art and design.

Create computer-based projects using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator software programs.

Familiarize students with the basic tools and pallets of Adobe Illustrator.