GDE 381 Graphic Design II
Professor Tim Guthrie
M/W 12:30 pm – 2:20 pm
Description
In the catalog, Graphic Design II (which used to be called Computer Illustration) is still described as “This course uses the Apple computer and a variety of computer graphic tools to develop skills and creativity in illustrating editorial and visual ideas. Students will work with and combine visual elements from photographs and artwork.” In reality, that was the description for Computer Illustration. This course now expands on principles learned in Graphic Design I.
Objectives
The objective of this course is to review and enhance basic design vocabulary
- Creating solid, effecitve designs
- Creating multi-platform graphics
- understanding visual vocabulary
Materials
I introduced a book last year that many of the students liked so much that I was told they would have loved to have had the book earlier in their academic career. Because of the positive feedback, we are going to use it in this course. The Bookstore won’t have it, so you will want to order it ASAP from Amazon (or wherever). The book is by a graphic designer named Von Glitschka. You may have visited his website in a previous course. Here is a link to the book:
Vector Basic Training: A Systematic Creative Process for Building Precision Vector Artwork
We will be operating under the assumption that you have learned basic graphic design, including tools and software like Photoshop and Illustrator in the beginning class. However, because tools are so vital to achieving the designs you will create over the course of the semester, and if you want a text to help you with software, then I would recommend you buy the Visual Quickstart Guide (PeachPit Press) for that particular piece of software.
Grading Criteria
Grades will be determined by combination of factors tracked by a course grading sheet. Points can be earned in 10 different categories – some design elements in a project can impact more than one grading category. There is a 10 point scale for each category to reflect the overall quality of student work. It is very difficult to acheive “A” quality work in the class. An “A” project will be considered professional level design, and perfect in the majority of grading categories. B+ and B grades will be given to good work that is well above course expectations.
Simply meeting the expectations of the course in completing assignments, quizzes, projects and the practical will result in a C grade. Doing the minimum amount of work to get by is not going to earn you a good grade. In order to earn grades higher than a C, I expect students to show substantial growth in critical skills, mastery of the technical elements of the course, and perfect execution of design concepts in major projects.I will be merciless when grading draft projects, since all projects can be revised for credit.
D and F work will fail to meet expectations.
Being late for a critique (including not having your assignment prepared when class begins) will result in a 20% “late fee” on that grade the moment that critique starts, and through the first 24 hours after critique starts. Another 20% will be assessed in the second 24 hour period. Late assignments cannot be revised.
Failure to turn in any assignment will result in a maximum course grade of D. I reserve the right to reject assignments after the second 24 hour period has expired, thus triggering the automatic maximum course grade of D.
Grading Scale:
A 91-100
B+ 88-90
B 81-87
C+ 78-80
C 71-77
D 61-70
F 0-60
Participation
Attendance and punctuality are mandatory. I expect you to behave as professionals over the course of the semester, and that includes showing up to class on time. Excused absences include athletic participation for varsity athletes, some emergencies, and documented illness. Regardless of whether an absence is excused, I will not rehash lectures for students who miss class. You are responsible for gathering notes on missed classes. Let me repeat that. You are responsible for gathering notes on missed classes.
JMC Professionalism Policy:
The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication offers pre-professional education to prepare students to succeed in communications careers. Professional attitudes and conduct are often almost as important as talent in our fields. Accordingly, students in all JMC classes are expected to conduct themselves as cited below; faculty and staff will enforce consequences:
- Students will attend all classes unless there is a valid reason to be absent and to arrive on time just as they would at work. Students who arrive after class has begun are considered late and subject to grade penalties as imposed by each instructor.
- Valid reasons for absences include illness, participation in an official university function (debate, varsity athletic absences etc), family emergency etc. All excused absences require notification by email PRIOR to class.
- Absences of two classes in a row due to illness require a doctor’s note.
- Absences due to non-emergency medical / dental appointments are unexcused absences. The same goes for picking up a friend, taking a car to be repaired or other circumstances that can be avoided.
- More than one week’s worth (2) of unexcused absences per semester will result in course grade being lowered one grade level per additional absence up to D after which the student will receive an A/F.
- Use of electronic devices during class is prohibited.
- No food and drink are allowed in the labs. If caught, you will be expected to leave class and dispose of the items.
- Students are expected to participate in class. Inappropriate behavior such as reading non-course materials, checking email, instant or text messaging, studying for other classes or sleeping will result in dismissal from that day’s class and count as an unexcused absence.
- Students are accountable for turning in all work on time. Faculty will either penalize late assignments or refuse to accept them.
- Working in groups is part of all communications work. Students who fail to do their share of work on team projects or are unwilling to participate in group problem solving will be dismissed from the teams and lose credit for projects.
Professionalism
Professionalism also involves:
- Accepting criticism gracefully
- Resolving problems with professors, staff and colleagues in a mature fashion.
- Students are always welcome to seek more information about why they received a particular grade on a test or assignment, obtain guidance for how to improve work and ask for suggestions on solving problems. They are encouraged to go above and beyond the minimum work assigned and to demonstrate enthusiasm for work in their fields. In the JMC Department C work is minimal work. A and B work goes beyond the minimum.
Academic Honesty:
Creighton’s Academic Honesty Policy is listed in detail in the current Bulletin. However, in this class I expect students to adhere to the following guidelines and ethics of design:
- All students will complete their own work. Getting “help” is ok, but I expect you to complete, and if necessary – reproduce class work on demand.
- All work should be original. Any “ripping” of fonts or concepts will result in a grade of ZERO for that assignment.
Use of tutorial files from online sources is allowed for learning purposes, but any elements from those sources that remain in class projects could result in a grade of ZERO for that assignment.
Integrity Pledge (from “Learning in the Academy: An Introduction to the Culture of Scholarship”)
The students and faculty of the Creighton College of Arts and Sciences comprise an academic community established within the framework of Jesuit ideals and firmly rooted in the concept of integrity.
In an effort to instill integrity in those attending this College and to reaffirm its significance along each student’s academic journey, the College has set in place an Integrity Pledge. Your instructors will from time to time present the Pledge for your signature on tests and quizzes and ask you to include it with your signature on writing assignments you submit.
The Pledge promotes a shared culture of integrity amongst Creighton students, while also acknowledging in its language that each of us holds him- or herself accountable for any attenuation or neglect of the conventions that define academic integrity.
The intent of this Pledge is not to act heavy-handedly. The College’s students and faculty strongly believe that each student intends to present his or her own original work. But the Pledge serves as a regular reminder of Creighton University’s commitment to the very highest standards of integrity—not only academic but also personal integrity.
Assignments
10% Graphic resumé – There are tons of examples, (I will show many in class) but are some good and some not-so-good (ugh) designs: examples
20% Infographic
30% How-to step illustration
30% Re/design (NOTE: I am going to discuss hand lettered graphic design as a possible alternative to the old redesign project, which I have grown so bored of and which feels like a beginning Graphic Design project…)
5% Quizzes
100% Total
Schedule
r 8.23 Introduction and account creation
t 8.28 Tool basics and software review
r 8.30 Raster design VS vector design
t 9.4 Good logo design practice
r 9.6 Refining designs
t 9.11 Lab time
r 9.13 Graphic Resume critique
t 9.18 Color Theory
r 9.20 Information graphic design
t 9.25 Complex vector layering
r 9.27 Round-tripping vector and raster designs
t 10.2 Lab time
r 10.4 Importing draft images and sketches, Live trace, etc
t 10.9 Storyboard concepts and step illustrations
r 10.11 Infograhic critique
BREAK Fall Break
t 10.23 How-to step illustration concepts
r 10.25 Consistency and branding
t 10.30 Review concepts and sketches
r 11.1 Color, consistency, typography review
t 11.6 Lab time
r 11.8 Mini-critiques
t 11.13 How-to step illustration critique
r 11.15 Final introduction, review of design concepts
t 11.20 Lab time
r 11.22 Mini-critiques
t 11.27 Mini-critiques
r 11.29 Lab time
t 12.4 Lab time
r 12.6 FINAL CRITIQUE