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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.

 

Emphasis

In this class, 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

• Required textbook: Megg's History of Graphic Design
  by Phillip Meggs is available at Parkland's bookstore
• Recommended books are on reserve in Parkland's library
• USB flash drive
• Personal computer (or use Parkland's open computer labs or C138)
• Camera (digital, cell phone, 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. Attendance will be taken promptly at the beginning of each class. You are considered absent if you are not here when attendance is taken.

Your semester grade will drop by one letter grade for every three classes missed. "Excused" absences will only be discussed under extraneous circumstances and only if you have missed more than three 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. 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.