Printable PDF of Syllabus

Class meets:
Mondays, P125, 8:30 – 11:00 am
Thursdays, P123, 8:30 – 11:00 am

Contact email: Ashley.Valera78@login.cuny.edu
Student Hours: Available upon request via email

Course Information

COMD1100 Graphic Design Principles I
This basic design and color theory course explores graphic communication through the understanding of the elements and principles of design, as well as the design process, including idea development through final execution. Students develop basic skills in two-dimensional design, color and content creation while
employing the design process of research, sketching and experimentation. Communication designers use the concepts explored in this course in disciplines such as advertising, graphic design, web design, illustration, broadcast design, photography, and game design.

1 class hr, 5 lab hrs, 3 credits

Prerequisite: CUNY proficiency in reading, writing and mathematics or concurrent enrollment in ENG 092R, ESOL 022R or 032R; ENG 092W, ESOL 021W, or ESOL 031W; MAT 0630 or MAT 0650 as required

Masking Recommendation

Masking is highly encouraged to protect our peers and make this class truly accessible for all.

Health, Safety, and Self-Screening

For the health and safety of our entire community, please stay home if you are feeling sick. In case of absence, students can email for materials and what class went over and what to bring for next class.

Communication & Feedback

Instructor will communicate with you regarding grades and assignments. Best way to contact the instructor is via email. Generally, they will reply to emails within 24 hours. Questions can also be asked in the course Brightspace discussions. Please contact the instructor if you are having any trouble with the course or its material.

Announcements will be posted in Brightspace when necessary which will send to the email you have listed in Blackboard. Please make sure to check and have access to your Citytech email.

Technology Requirements

All lectures, project rubrics, and other material will be shared on Brightspace and Openlab. You will need access to Adobe Creative Cloud. You have access to this using your cuny email(@login.cuny.edu).

Projects and Assignments

There will be five major projects with occasional assignments. Most projects will be done using traditional mediums. Below are descriptions for the projects.

Project One: Line Pattern Design
Students will choose a song for inspiration to sketch and refine 12 different patterns & textures. They will create a composition based on a grid they design and use their 6 patterns to complete the final design.


Project Two: Curious Compositions
Students will create a mind map for the work “Curiosity”. They will choose 2 words from the mind map to create imagery in combination with the words “stable” and “ambiguous”. These designs will be inked for the final presentation.


Project Three: Value Portraits
Students take self portraits with their phones and be shone to edit them to grayscale and for contrast. They will then print the portrait and use tracing paper to begin plotting out shapes in grayscale. Choosing their final color blocking, they will then paint their self portrait to showcase their understanding of values.


Project Four: Abstract Colors
Students will design an abstract painting with their preferred shapes. Learning various color palettes, they will choose their own distinct 6 colors and then paint their design with the final chosen palette.


Project Five: Personal Pattern
Students will use research and brainstorming to design a digital seamless pattern, based on their own personal interests. Sketches will be done to consider different concepts for the pattern. They will experiment with value, color, and different design elements to further refine their design choices. They will produce their final pattern design as a digital and printed version.

Grading Policy

Grades are cumulative. Each student is graded on an individual basis. No cross-class comparisons will be made. The instructor will grade on my expectations of you and your growth as an individual. Your projects will be graded using a rubric for that is given at the start of each project with the following criteria in mind:

Elements of Art – showing use of the elements and principles of design in your work 

Effort- this means always striving for your personal best 

Craftsmanship– you have taken your time and done a careful job using materials properly

Creativity/Originality– you have developed your own idea and not copied someone else’s

Following instructions– you have met the criteria outlined for each assignment

  • A = Excellent, outstanding effort, exceeds expectations
  • B = Strong work, very good 
  • C = Fair, adequate, looks finished. 
  • D/F= work does not demonstrate standards and must be resubmitted

OpenLab Visual Library

Quizzes

Projects

Critiques

Portfolio

Attendance & Due Dates

When you miss class, you miss important information. If you are absent, then you are responsible for learning material covered in class.

Assignments and Projects are due the date assigned by the instructor. They are not to be worked on or posted during class. Failure to have assignments in on time will result in 5 points being deducted every class day it’s late.

Critique days are counted as part of your grade. Each critique day is worth 20 points by showing up on time. Arriving late will result in the grade for that critique being 10 points. Not showing up without notice will result in a 0 for that critique.

If you need extensions, email the instructor before due dates.

Class Policies

  1. Respect each other by listening actively and attentively. Respect will be given to preferred names and pronouns.
  2. Discussions and critiques will be to build one another up and conducted professionally. These can challenge each other but done so respectfully.
  3. Students should try to arrive 5 minutes early and be on time to respect everyone’s time and lessen distractions during lectures.
  4. Arrive to class with all materials needed for assignments. Instructor will communicate what is needed.
  5. Ask questions if lectures, assignments, and exercises are unclear.
  6. Electronics will be muted and only used for class activities (note-taking, assigned tasks/exercises). They are not to distract or annoy your fellow classmates.
  7. Please reach out to the instructor for any issues or emergencies regarding coming into class or handing in assignments.

Academic Integrity

Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting, and citing sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York (CUNY) and at New York City College of Technology (City Tech) and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion.

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) Policy

Due to part of this course’s learning experience are ways to generate ideas and think conceptually, students are asked to not use AI to help them create ideas for their projects. The purpose of this course is also to learn basic design principles and “rules” that students will master. These principles and “rules” can then be altered in ways to achieve conceptual design.

Accessibility Statement 

City Tech is committed to supporting the educational goals of enrolled students with disabilities in the areas of enrollment, academic advisement, tutoring, assistive technologies, and testing accommodations. If you have or think you may have a disability, you may be eligible for reasonable accommodations or academic adjustments as provided under applicable federal, state, and/or city laws. You may also request services for temporary conditions or medical issues under certain circumstances. If you have questions about your eligibility and/or would like to seek accommodation services and/or academic adjustments, please contact the Student Accessibility Center (SAC) at 300 Jay Street. Room L-237; telephone: 718-260-5143; http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/accessibility/.  

City Tech Diversity & Inclusive Education Statement

This course welcomes students from all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. In accordance with the City Tech and CUNY missions, this course intends to provide an atmosphere of inclusion, respect, and the mutual appreciation of differences so that together we can create an environment in which all students can flourish. It is the instructor’s goal to provide materials and activities that are welcoming and accommodating of diversity in all of its forms, including race, gender identity and presentation, ethnicity, national origin, religion, cultural identity, socioeconomic background,sexuality and sexual orientation, ability, neurodivergence, age, and etc. Your instructor is committed to equity and actively seeks ways to challenge institutional racism, sexism, ableism and other forms of prejudice. Your input is encouraged and appreciated. If a dynamic that you observe or experience in the course concerns you, you may respectfully inform your instructor without fear of how your concerns will affect your grade. Let your instructor know how to improve the effectiveness of the course for you personally, or for other students or student groups. We acknowledge that NYCCT is located on the traditional homelands of the Canarsie and Lenape peoples.

Student Success Center (SSC)

The mission of the Student Success Center is to connect City Tech students to personalized guidance, resources, and support to foster persistence and retention to timely degree attainment. Employing a holistic approach, the SSC will position students to thrive as active, engaged, and informed participants in their educational journey. Contact: https://www.citytech.cuny.edu/ssc/, 300 Jay Street, Library Building G-18R; Phone: 718-260-5570; Email: StudentSuccessCenter@citytech.cuny.edu

Supply List

*Optional Supplies

Supplies can be used and shared for other classes. No need to purchase if you already have them.

Paper

General Supplies

Drawing Supplies

Digital Supplies

  • A free Dropbox or Google Drive account to store and share large files
  • 32 GB USB Flash Drive
  • *Laptop or Desktop to run Adobe CC or equivalent
  • *Digital camera or phone with camera and cable
  • *1TB Portable External Hard Drive

Color Supplies

NOTE: Total cost should not exceed $250 if you shop around.

Places to shop for supplies in NYC and/or Online:

Artist & Craftsman Supply

  • 307 2nd Street, Brooklyn, New York
  • 761 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, New York
  • 1449 Broadway, Brooklyn, New York
  • 34-09 Queens Blvd, Long Island City, New York
  • 2108 7th Ave Adam Clayton Powell Blvd, New York

Blick

  • 41 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn
  • 1-5 Bond Street, NYC
  • 237 W 23rd St, NYC
  • 148 Lafayette St, NYC
  • 111 4th Ave, NYC
  • 650 6th Ave, NYC
  • 21 East 13th Street, NYC
  • 536 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn

Michaels

  • 675 6th Ave, New York, NY
  • 252 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY
  • 410 Gateway Dr, Brooklyn, NY
  • 5106 Northern Blvd, Queens, NY
  • 9030 Metropolitan Ave, Queens, NY

CityTech Lab Hours

Atrium Learning Center – LG18

Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm

iTEC Student Lab – G600

Monday – Friday, 10:00am – 6:00pm

iTEC Student Lab – V217

Monday – Friday, 10:00am – 6:00pm

Design Resources

Graphic Design Thinking : Beyond Brainstorming, edited by Ellen Lupton, Princeton Architectural Press, 2011. ProQuest Ebook Central [City Tech Library Card Required]

Lupton, Ellen, and Jennifer Cole Phillips. Graphic Design : The New Basics, Princeton Architectural Press, 2008. ProQuest Ebook Central [City Tech Library Card Required]

http://gdbasics.com

Leborg, Christian. Visual Grammar, Princeton Architectural Press, 2006. ProQuest Ebook Central [City Tech Library Card Required]

Lupton, Ellen. Thinking with Type : A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, and Students, Princeton Architectural Press, 2010. ProQuest Ebook Central [City Tech Library Card Required]

Vit, Armin, et al. Graphic Design, Referenced : A Visual Guide to the Language, Applications, and History of Graphic Design, Quarto Publishing Group USA, 2014. ProQuest Ebook Central [City Tech Library Card Required]

Norman, Don. Emotional Design : Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things, Basic Books, 2007. ProQuest Ebook Central. [City Tech Library Card Required]