COMD1127 Type and Media 

Course Information

Course Number: COMD1127

Course Title: Type and Media

Course Description: Foundation course in typography with emphasis on using type for a multiple of industry related applications ranging from print to interactive. Students are introduced to principles of type design and terminology including: variations of type structure, anatomy, font usage, grid, leading, kerning, tracking and alignment

Credits / Hours: 1 cl hr, 5 lab hrs, 3 cr

Section Number: HD39

Pre/Co-requisites: 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

Class Meetings

Online Space(s):

Faculty Information

Prof. Mary Brown
Email: mbrown@citytech.cuny.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday 6pm – 7pm via Blackboard

Course Objectives
Instructional Outcomes /Assessments

For the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:Evaluation methods and criteria:
Define and describe five families of type and their visual characteristics (Old Style, Transitional, Modern, Egyptian, San Serif). Define and describe other categories of type families such as display and novelty fontsStudents will demonstrate competency through written test and selection of typefaces for assignments
Define and describe critical components of type anatomy (baseline, meanline, capline, serifs, ascender, descenders, counters, others).Students will demonstrate competency through written test and selection of typefaces for assignments.
Describe variations of type structure (bold, italic, condensed, extended).Students will demonstrate competency through written test and selection of typefaces for assignments.
Utilize typographic grid components (trim size, margins, columns, gutter) and assemble a grid using specific software.Students will demonstrate competency through written test and preparations of class projects using InDesign.
Utilize variation in type alignment (FL/RR, FR/RL, Centered, Justified, Force Justified).Students will demonstrate competency through written test and performance of assignment dealing with this topic.
Understand and utilize terminology and procedures for Adobe InDesign in order to comprehension basic and correct usage complete assignments and participate in class of computer graphics such throughout the discussions.Students will demonstrate comprehension basic and correct usage of computer graphics such throughout the course in class participation and on written assignments.
Create and edit elements of a document according to specifications by using Adobe InDesign.Students will demonstrate practical skills in to preparing page layouts.

General Education Outcomes

General Education Outcome covered:How the outcome is covered:
Thinking Critically
The student will demonstrate the ability to evaluate evidence and apply reasoning to make valid inferences.		Students will develop their critical thinking by participating in class critiques, applying standards learned in class to their own work and that of classmates.
Social Interaction
The student will demonstrate an understanding of professional ethics.		Students will learn about professional ethics through discussion in class.
Lifelong Learning
The student will demonstrate an awareness of resources for continued lifelong learning.		Students will be directed towards resources and techniques of research they can use as references throughout their careers.
Information Literacy      
• The student will demonstrate the ability to find proper resources.
• The student will demonstrate the ability to formulate relevant queries.		Students will develop familiarity with professional resources and be expected to learn from them in a relevant fashion.

Teaching/Learning Methods

  • Lectures
  • Readings
  • Demonstrations
  • Assignments
  • Discussions
  • Tests

Technology Requirements

Schedule

Details are under on the Schedule page.

Grading Policy

30% — Main projects and their presentations
40% — Assignments – homework
30% — Class Activities/Discussions/Participation
The detailed grading policy can be found on the Grading Policy page.

Class Etiquette & Netiquette

  • Since this is an online course it is important that students establish weekly virtual participation.
  • All assignments need to be submitted on time as they are part of the online class sessions.
  • Proper attire, dress as for physical classes.
  • No profanity
  • Adjust your posture, sit up as straight and look into the camera.
  • Learning online requires paying attention, especially with classmates unsure of when to speak. Conference apps, BlackBoard and Zoom, have a chat feature. If you have questions in class sessions type in the chat, or raise your hand.
  • Voice volume; most microphones can pick up your normal speaking voice, so you don’t need to yell. You do need to speak clearly in a normal voice volume.
  • Mute your mic as needed to eliminate background noise when you are not speaking

Attendance/Participation

Attendance is taken and is important to success in this class. Both absences and arriving more than 15 minutes after the start of class will be marked. If excessive, the instructor will alert the student that he or she may be in danger of not meeting the course objectives and participation expectations, which could lead to a lower grade.

Recording Policy

Students who participate in this class with their camera on or use a profile image are agreeing to have their video or image recorded solely for the purpose of creating a record for students enrolled in the class to refer to, including those enrolled students who are unable to attend live.  If you are unwilling to consent to have your profile or video image recorded, be sure to keep your camera off and do not use a profile image. Likewise, students who un-mute during class and participate orally are agreeing to have their voices recorded.  If you are not willing to consent to have your voice recorded during class, you will need to keep your mute button activated and communicate exclusively using the “chat” feature, which allows students to type questions and comments live.

Academic Integrity Policy

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 citation of 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 and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension and expulsion. More information about the College’s policy on Academic Integrity may be found in the College Catalog. 

Course Activities

  • Projects – 3-4 main projects supported by homework assignments
  • Homework Assignments – Inserted in the the class pages on site.
  • Type Challenges – Design assignments and discussions completed with time constraints during class or as specified.
  • Type Talk Discussions – Discussion, comments, critiques, opinions on type throughout the semester
  • Name That Type Discussions – Students will comment in live class discussions
  • Found Alphabet Typography Discussions – Weekly image posts of  alphabet letters, numbers 1-9 ,0  and comments Final  Due  last class Upload a compiled PDF
  • Type Scavenger Hunt Activities – Students will look for various typographic topics principles, techniques, post image
  • Type Hero – Students will create a 5 minute presentation to an assigned designer

Course Projects

Course Resources

Materials /Supplies

  • Computer with internet access and Adobe CC.
  • Cloud storage and Flash drive (any storage for your files)
  • Sketchbook for notes, ideas, process / pencils
  • Approximately $40 misc expenses (cloud, printing, art materials, etc)

Student Work Samples

Instructor reserves the right to keep reproductions of student work samples to feature on their professional website, as part of their teaching portfolio, and to illustrate points for future classes. Work will be credited.

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