In this course students, working with individual faculty, will develop and complete a semester project for presentation. Assignments may include corporate identity programs, public service advertising campaigns, design and illustration of a children’s book, website development and design, re-design of a magazine.
Prerequisites: ADV 4700, ADV 4720, ADV 4711 or ADV 4712
Who should be here
Before taking Senior Project we strongly encourage students to have completed all courses of their selected module in addition to the required 2 electives courses and ADV4700. Students who are still pursuing courses in their corresponding modules should NOT be taking this course yet.
What is your module?
YOU need to choose a project that gives you the opportunity to use the skills you have acquired and create a project that allows you to showcase your skills. Choose projects you feel passionately about and avoid projects where you could become bored. Make sure you choose a project that allows you to be creative and original.
Sketch and research consistently
Students MUST bring their sketch books and research to every meeting. There is no exception to this rule regardless of any other circumstances or any situation. NO SKETCHBOOK = NO MEETING.
Time Management & Organization
You must dedicate at least 6 hours per week to your Senior Project. The result should be clearly seen in your sketchbook, research and execution. It usually takes more time than you think: brainstorming, research, sketching & planning, execution, meetings, and all those other things that we must do.
Midterm Grading
All students must have at least 4 meetings prior to midterms including the first two class meetings assuming you were present for both. Students who fail to comply will automatically receive a “U” grade.
The Advisor’s Role
We are your client, your art director, and advisor WE STRONGLY DISCOURAGE real projects unless there is a valid reason for it. Even if you have a real client for your project, we must look at work first. Please understand that not every client is a design oriented person, and might choose work that is not appropriate for the level expected of this class. This means that we might make adjustments to your project, even if differs from what your client wants.
Seeing Other Advisors
ONLY see other advisors if previously approved by your main advisor. Under no circumstances can students be credited with more than one official Senior Project meeting per week.
Mounting & Show Prep
In addition to the 8 mandatory meetings, all Senior Project Students are required to attend a mounting demo and Senior Project show preparation presentation. The dates and times of these mandatory meetings will be posted on the site as the semester winds down.
Quality & Quantity
There is no one right answer to the number of pieces that should be presented in your project. This greatly depends on the nature of your work, the type of project you selected and various other factors. Your proposal should be a blueprint that you can refer to throughout the semester.
Course Outline
Meetings with advisor
A minimum of eight (8) meetings with the Senior Project advisor(s) must be scheduled to meet the requirements of the course. Each student enrolled in the course will meet with the advisor to discuss the ongoing developments within the project. Students must complete 8 meetings with their advisor(s) BEFORE the Senior Project submission deadline.
- WEEK 1
- Introduction, orientation and organization of class; course objectives and requirements. Instructor will discuss with students the preparation of a proposal for a semester project. The proposal will define the scope of the project, indicate a timeline and specific dates for completion.
- WEEK 2
- Proposal due. All details of the project must meet approval of the advisor by the end of the second week.
- WEEKS 3 – 12
- Student executes approved project. The advisor acts as a consultant throughout the life of the project and assists with troubleshooting and problem solving.
- WEEK 13
- All materials to be submitted to the review committee must be completed for the advisor’s approval. Final review by advisor of presentation materials. All suggested corrections made the previous week must be complete.
- WEEK 14
- Student presents fully realized final project with bibliography and sketchbook to the review committee for assessment and consideration for the Senior Project Exhibition.
- WEEK 15
- Review of project. Senior Project Exhibition
A minimum of 6 hours of independent study weekly
Because this is an individual senior project required for graduation, laboratories do not conform to standard formats; hands-on experience, creativity, and experimentation will take place throughout the project. The creative experience is an ongoing one, to be monitored by the advisor.
Behavioral Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- State clearly in a proposal the scope of a project to be executed.
- Follow an idea from conceptualization to realization, including thumbnails, roughs, comps, and finished artwork and graphics.
- Develop a calendar that charts milestones to a final deadline, taking into consideration all aspects of the creative project.
- Develop a working budget for all aspects of the project.
- Specify dimensions, colors, paper stock, printing requirements, and all materials required for the project.
- Complete a proposed project in the allotted time.
- Present a fully realized project for review to a group of peers and faculty in a clear, thoughtful, and persuasive manner.
Evaluation & Grading Procedures
Ongoing project evaluations will be maintained by the faculty advisor. Final evaluations will be made by the faculty advisor and the Senior Project review committee. Grades will be based on:
- Clarity of proposal
- Creative concept
- Professional execution
- Timely completion of each segment based on schedule
- Technical specifications and budgetary recommendations
- Verbal and visual presentation
