Course
Description

Introduction to multimedia graphic design. Emphasis on development of graphic abstractions into both black and white and color translations throughout use of digital and/or traditional photography; three and four dimensional computer modeling applications to introduce concepts of kinetic imagery and motion graphics. Emphasis on developing presentation skills, finalizing digital and visual portfolios, and becoming proficient in InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator. Prerequisite: GDS 122 or approval of graphic design program director or department chair.

Purpose

This course is designed specifically for the graphic designer whose objective is to function effectively in today's commercial art field. In this class, we will gain practical experience in visual problem solving by working through the design process.

Emphasis

We will continue to evaluate and analyze the creative process and learn how to balance creativity with problem solving. We will focus on techniques of generating new ideas and how to communicate those ideas through effective use of type and images. We will apply those techniques to real-world design problems. Presentation skills and software proficiency will be emphasized.

Topics

Some of the topics we will cover include:

• Integrating form and content
• Application of design principles and systems of visual organization
• Typography systems and hierarchy of information
• Utilizing illustration and photography
• Managing client relationships
• Software proficiency in InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop
• Color and pre-press issues

Class
Format

This course will consist of projects, exercises, demonstrations and critiques. There will also be one quiz. It is expected that additional time, on a weekly basis, will be spent on projects and homework assignments. 

It is important that the entire class work together in a collaborative environment, learning from each other as well as the instructor. Therefore, everyone should be working on the same assignments at the same time. Understanding that there might be technical expertise differences, it is expected that more experienced users will be willing to help beginning users with the software. Conversely, more experienced users should elicit creative evaluations from beginning users during their working process.

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

Materials

• Textbook: Creativity for Graphic Designers by Mark Oldach (required)
• USB flash drive
• 3-ring binder & dividers
• Sketchbook (blank book)
• Felt tip pens
• Parkland Identification Card
• Other art supplies may be required for specific exercises and projects

Grading
System

In this class, your grade will be based on attendance, class participation, software proficiency and the quality of the work you do.

• 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)

Your grade will be given to you during your individual reviews at midterm and at the end of the semester. You must bring all the work you have done up to that time (including all reference materials, concept sketches, b&w proofs, color comps, digital files, etc.). Do not throw away any material from this class. Your grade will depend on it. At any time during the semester, you may request individual reviews to check your progress. You may revise and re-submit projects and exercises as many times as you like up until the final review.

Earning
Points

Points can be earned in each of the following categories:

• Projects (40%)
• Exercises/Assignments (30%)
• Quiz (10%)
• Blog (10%)
• Sketchbook (10%)

Exercises will be graded based on accuracy and craftsmanship. Exercises will be graded pass/fail.

Projects will be graded based on creativity, problem solving ability and craftsmanship. Numerical grades will be awarded for each project.

At the end of the semester, all the points earned for the exercises and projects will be averaged and weighted to determine your final grade.

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.

If an assignment has been submitted on time, students have the option of continuing to work on and improve each assignment after the due date and class critique for (possibly) a better grade. Grades for re-worked assignments will be no more than one full letter grade higher than the original grade at the assigned due date (re-worked project grades will never drop in grade). All re-worked assignments are due by the final review date.

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 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.

Online
Gradebook

All students will have an account in Angel Learning (an online course management portal). Your grades and attendance record 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

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 is highly encouraged)
• All cell phones and beepers turned off
• 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 Parkland College 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: Nancy Rowley <nrowley@parkland.edu> Associate Coordinator, Office of Disability Services (X148 or 351-2588).

Fonts

For this class, you may ONLY use "classic fonts" unless you obtain prior approval from the instructor. For a list of classic fonts (and dingbats) available in C138, download Parkland's Classic Fonts Specimen Sheets.