Syllabus

ADV 1100 – Graphic Design Principles 1
Fall 2014 Monday, Wednesdays 6:00-8:30 pm
Room N1118
Section E102-LEC
3 Credits, 6 hours (1 lecture, 5 lab)
Instructor Larisa Daiga
Office hrs Wednesdays 5:00-6:00 pm
Office Location N1127
Email: ldaiga@citytech.cuny,edu
Course website: https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/daigaadv1100fa2014

Course Description
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.

Learning outcomes
Through hands-on experiments, collaborative learning and individual projects, students will learn the language and process for design thinking, gain a solid foundation in design principles and practices, and demonstrate:

• visual literacy and understanding of design principles and elements, such as Figure/Ground, Rhythm, Balance, Dominance/Emphasis, and Scale/Proportion, using appropriate design elements, such as Point, Line, Plane, Texture, Pattern, Grid, Value, and Color.
• appropriate use of vocabulary to articulate ideas and concepts in a critique setting.
• tangible realizations of their ideas using appropriate tools, applications and techniques, such as drawing, painting, collage, photography, and digital imaging.
• a personal creative process that leads to life-long learning and a successful, inspired practice.

 Teaching/Learning Methods

• Lecture and presentation of new material
• Design Journal
• Use of visual and tactile examples and hands-on projects
• In-class critique sessions where students collaborate in teams and critically discuss the work of their peers.
• Individual assessment/documentation activities
• Field trips / Museum visits
• Learning Blog ePortfolio

 

Grading Policy and Procedure
Grades will be awarded using the standard grading scale, but will be judged based upon a rubric that takes into consideration effort applied, technical understanding & creative use of resources for the completion of various projects.

Grades will be based upon:

• 20% Participation & Dedication
• 20% Research & Documentation
• 60% Projects & Experiments

Participation & Dedication is worth 20% of total grade.
 Students are asked to consider this class and others like an audition or internship. Assume that your professor and especially your peers will be in a position to offer you a job or recommend you for a great opportunity in the not too distant future. How you present yourself in class and your dedication to your work will help you achieve your career goals.

Respect for your fellow students and the professor is demonstrated by:

• Class preparedness (completing projects on time, bringing materials to class,
  checking class site for instructions)
• Volunteering answers, asking questions, and helping other students
• Paying attention during class demonstrations
• Following project instructions and taking notes
• Participating in critiques, presentations, and discussions
• Arriving on time and staying for the full time period

If during class you are observed taking a phone call, checking email, texting, facebook or the like, or working on other projects, the full 20% will be deducted from your grade and you will be asked to leave. No warnings or second chances will be given.

Critiques:
Each student will present his/her work for critique for weekly review using design vocabulary.  The critique is a neutral dialog. Students will present their work and discuss the strengths and weaknesses, expressing what works and what doesn’t work in relation to the assignment guidelines. Peer responses will be given. No personal likes or dislikes are discussed without specific reference to design terminology.

Peer Presentations:
Students in groups of three may present an assigned and researched principle or element. For example: one group may research and present Balance. In preparation, students will use library resources, books, magazines, online references and write and present a formal lecture on the topic to the class.

Projects & Experiments are worth 60% of the total grade.
There will be between 5-7 major Projects and several weekly in-class and take-home Experiments. Only projects that strictly adhere to documented instructions and are presented in a clean, professional manner will be accepted for credit. Projects will be collected or critiqued at the beginning of each class.

Each project’s creative process will be documented on your Learning Blog and should demonstrate:

1. Research and Inspiration
2. Experimentation and Iteration
3. Development of Skill, Craft and Voice
4. Expression of Form, Emotions or Concepts
5. Thoughtful Assessment (verbal and written)
6. Significant work hours committed

NOTE:  STUDENTS WILL BE EXPECTED TO WORK BETWEEN 2-4 HOURS EACH WEEK OUTSIDE OF THE CLASS. A LAB TIME IS AVAILABLE TO MEET THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE PROJECTS AND THE TECHNOLOGY, BUT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FINISH YOUR PROJECTS IN CLASS.

Research & Documentation is worth 20% of your grade.
The artist or designer’s Creative Process involves 1) experiencing the world (ideas, objects, people, nature), 2) interpreting this experience, 3) expressing/sharing it with others, and then… 4) sustaining the process.

Your ePortfolio Learning Blog will be used for documenting and sharing your creative process, as well as your final finished work, throughout the course. Your research, inspirations, experiments, thumbnails, field trips, final work, assessments, and peer critiques will make up the content of the Learning Blog and will serve as a record of the effort and dedication you demonstrate throughout the semester.

The purpose of the Learning Blog is to:

• Help you to develop and sustain your own creative process through careful observation, documentation, presentation and assessment of each project.
• Organize all the information from the class.
• Display your individual projects in a clear, appropriate manner
• Serve as a record of your learning achievements from which to expand and develop in future courses.
• Interact with your peers in a relaxed, but professional manner.
• Gain experience using standard design vocabulary terms to express your ideas
• Develop online communication and information literacy skills using WordPress and OpenLab.

Your Design Journal will help you develop working method that should help you discover a personal process and enhance the development of your visual language. Use it also to record include what you learn and also what you observe in your daily life. The Design Journal should include but not be limited to the following:

1. Daily assignment: Will be announced online and in class.

• This will include visual term exploration where you will be given a visual term to explore. You will do this by writing the formal definition, your own definition, your own visual definition, and an example from an outside source.
• May also include a reflection question on areas of contemporary design and making.

2. Visual and written materials: daily inspiration, thoughts, ideas, notes, handouts, etc.
3.  Personal observations: both written notes and drawn sketches
4.  Idea sketches: rough sketches to brainstorm and formulate ideas for class work
5.  Preparatory sketches for projects: drawing practice to support the development of finished compositions
6.  Studio course assignments, handouts, objectives, etc.: resources and materials to refer to in support of course work
7.  Research notes and reference images
8.  Notes from class lectures

The Design Journal will be used during class and there may be also occasions that the class will review your work in your Design Journal. It swill be reviewed during your individual mid-term evaluation meetings with your instructor.

Attendance
Attendance is required for all classes.  If a student misses a class session, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the professor or a peer and make up any work missed PRIOR to the next class meeting. Excuses are unnecessary and irrelevant.

• Two lates equal one absence. A student is considered late if s/he arrives after attendance has been taken. If s/he arrives after attendance has been taken and is marked absent, it is the responsibility of the student to notify the teacher.
• After two absences your final grade will drop one full grade for every absence. If you miss more than two classes there is a strong possibility that you will receive a failing grade for the semester. This policy is in accordance with the school attendance policy. Check your student handbook (page 14) for details.

Make-ups
If a student finds they will not be able to present or hand in a project on the scheduled day, it is their responsibility to notify the instructor PRIOR to the due date and request alternate arrangements. Points will be deducted for late projects and missed critiques.

 

Academic Integrity and Expectations
You are responsible for reading, understanding and abiding by the NYC College of Technology Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities,” section “Academic Integrity Standards.” Academic dishonesty of any type, including cheating and plagiarism is unacceptable. “Cheating” is misrepresenting another student’s efforts/work as your own. “Plagiarism” is the representation of another person’s work, words or concepts as your own.

Online Resources
Course Website
 Students will refer to this website
[ https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/daigaadv1100fa2014/ ] for all course content and projects. It is the student’s responsibility to check the site before each class meeting for instructions. Changes may be made of the course of the semester, so please check and recheck the site before each class.

The OpenLab
We will be using the OpenLab [ openlab.citytech.cuny.edu ] for online discussions and ePortfolio Learning Blog work. If you have not used the OpenLab before, please make sure you create an account and sign on at least once during the first week of class to familiarize yourself. If you have questions, please ask!

Recommended resources and readings
Albers, Josef. Interaction of Color: 50^th Anniversary Edition. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2013.
Samara, Timothy. Design Elements, Rockport Press, 2014.
Lupton, Ellen. Graphic Design: the new basics. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2008. REQUIRED Available through CUNY Electronic Resource online
Fraser, Tom. Designer’s Color Manual: The Complete Guide to Color Theory and Application. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2004.

Referencing course design and syllabus of Professor Jenna Spevack.