Course
Description

Surveys the field of graphic design from its origins to contemporary practice. Develops visual vocabulary, provides insight into the continuity of design thinking, provides cultural and historical context for design practice.

Purpose

This course is designed specifically for the graphic designer whose objective is to function effectively in today’s commercial art field. We will survey the history of graphic design, be introduced to influential designers and become familiar with various graphic styles throughout history. We will also survey the design profession, the graphic design discipline, its many specialties as well as resources available for graphic designers.

Topics

We will define what graphic design is, survey the history of graphic arts techniques, the origin of writing and alphabets, and the distinguishing characteristics of graphic design in the following styles and movements:

• Victorian Age
• Arts & Crafts Movement
• Art Nouveau
• Early Modernism
• Art Deco
• Fifties' American Kitsch
• Late Modern
• Swiss/International
• Sixties' Psychedelia
• The Contemporary Look
• Postmoderns
• The Digital Age

Class
Format

This course will consist of lectures, projects, homework assignments and one essay. There will also be two quizzes. It is expected that additional time, on a weekly basis, will be spent on projects and homework assignments. 

Note: Attendance is required for the entire scheduled class period.

Materials

Textbooks

• Megg's History of Graphic Design by Phillip Meggs (required)
• Becoming a Graphic Designer by Steven Heller (recommended)

Supplies

• USB flash drive
• Personal computer (or use Parkland's open labs)
• Camera (film, digital, disposable)
• Parkland Identification Card

Grading
System

In this class, your grade will be based on attendance and the quality of the work you complete.

• A = 100-91 (exceptional work beyond the class requirements)
• B = 90-81 (excellent technical and creative abilities exhibited)
• C = 80-71 (all work accomplished on time and minimum goals achieved)
• D = 70-61 (minimum goals not achieved, late assignments)
• F = 60 or less (failure to finish assignments or doing "D" work late)

Earning
Points

Points can be earned in each of the following categories:

• Two projects (2 x 10 points = 20 points)
• One essay (10 points)
• One blog assignment (10 points)
• 15 one-minute papers (15 x 1 point = 15 points)
• 15 homework assignments (15 x 1 point = 15 points)
• Two open book quizzes (2 x 15 points = 30 points)

The one-minute papers and homework assignments will be graded pass/fail. Numerical grades will be awarded for all other assignments. At the end of the semester, all the points earned will be totaled to determine your final grade.

Projects will be graded based on content, creativity, craftsmanship and adherence to project specifications. Essays will be graded based on content, spelling and grammar.

No credit (read "zero" points) will be given for work not completed by the assigned due date. In other words, late work will will not be accepted, period. It is the student's responsibility to know the deadlines for each assignment.

Bonus points may be awarded for active participation in class.

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory. Your semester grade will drop by one letter grade for every four classes missed. "Excused" absences will only be discussed under extraneous circumstances and only if you have missed more than four classes. It is your responsibility to make up any work missed during absences.

If you do not attend regularly before midterm, I may drop you from the class with no refund of tuition or fees. After midterm, you should not plan on an instructor withdrawal if you want to withdraw from the course. You are ultimately responsible for your own withdrawal by the withdrawal date. Non-attendance after midterm will result in an F if you don't withdraw yourself.

Online
Gradebook

All students will have an account in Angel Learning (an online course management portal). Your attendance record and grades will be posted online so that you can access them 24/7 from a web browser (click the REPORTS tab). We will also be using Angel for communication, testing and online discussions.

Your Angel username is the first part of your Parkland email address (the part that comes before the @ symbol). Your default Angel password is the last five digits of your social security number. If you need to look up your email account, go to Parkland's account lookup page.

Student
Conduct

We believe strongly in the Core Values espoused by Parkland College in order to foster a positive classroom environment. All students are expected to follow these guidelines:

• Honesty and integrity (don't cheat, don't steal)
• Promptness (arrive on time and don't leave early)
• Courtesy (treat others as you would like to be treated)
• Respect differences among peers (we all have different learning preferences and speeds)
• Be helpful (we're here to learn as a group)
• Willingness to collaborate (team work and constructive feedback are highly encouraged)
• All cell phones and beepers turned off during class
• No games, IM or email during class (unless it's related to
  course work)
• No excessive noise or talking, please

Parkland's Academic Honesty and Computer Use policies as outlined in the Student Policies and Procedures Manual apply in this class. In short, cheating, plagiarism, theft or abuse of computer time may result in suspension of computer privileges, disciplinary review, suspension or expulsion from the college, termination of employment, and/or legal action.

Anyone found to be cheating will receive a zero for that assignment and the incident will be reported to the Dean. Cheating includes copying assignments from the internet or other students' assignments (from this or previous semesters). 

Withdrawal Procedure

It is the student's responsibility to monitor his/her progress in this course. If after consulting with the instructor, the student feels it becomes necessary to withdraw from this course, it is the responsibility of the student to do so. Please check the Academic Calendar to find out the final day for withdrawal with "W" grade. If you have questions about the withdrawal procedure, see the Drop/Withdrawal Procedures Policy in Parkland's Student Policies and Procedures Manual.

Support
Services

If you find yourself needing assistance of any kind to complete assignments, stay on top of readings, study for tests, or just to stay in school, please contact one of the following staff at the Center for Academic Success: Anita Taylor (353-2005) or Gail Hoke (351-2441) in D120. You may also email the CAS at <CenterForAcademicSuccess@parkland.edu>.

Parkland College also has enormous resources for students with disabilities. If you believe you have a disability for which you may need an academic accommodation (e.g. an alternate testing environment, use of assistive technology, or other classroom assistance), please contact: Becky Osborne <bosborne@parkland.edu> Coordinator, Office of Disability Services (X148 or 353-2082).