Syllabus

Course Information

COMD 3701 Design Studio
Working independently, each student researches, conceptualizes, and develops an in-depth project, across media channels, which uses design-thinking to address a contemporary issue.

Credits, Hours
3 Credits, 6 hours (2 lecture, 2 lab)

Prerequisite: COMD 2400

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Section
D122

Course Site

https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/ggarrastegui-comd3701-sp24

Class Meetings

ALL CLASSES ARE IN-PERSON in Room P115

Faculty Information

Professor George Garrastegui, Jr.

Email: ggarrastegui@citytech.cuny.edu

Course Objectives

Through hands-on experiments, collaborative learning, and individual projects, students will demonstrate proficiency:

by writing a project brief based on information obtained from research.

by creating a major project over the semester.

with in-class discussions and informal writing assignments about ethical issues.

by presenting work at various stages over the semester and participating in critiques.

Learning Outcomes

For the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to develop strategy based on independent research.
• Think critically and creatively to solve visual communication problems. Design and/or produce images and text that effectively communicate intended content.
• Identify, evaluate and effectively respond to ethical issues as a citizen and a professional.
• Present and defend his or her work to a client.

Teaching/Learning Methods

Readings and discussion, Groupthink / Sprint sessions, Project-based labs, Research assignments, Blackboard / Slack, or other LMS.

Technology Requirements

• Access to the internet
• An Online storage platform such as CUNY free Dropbox or Google Drive.
• FREE CUNY ZOOM accounts for all students log in with your CUNYfirst login via cuny.zoom.us

Schedule

View a sample weekly schedule here.

Grading Policy

Research, independent/ critical assessment, and presentation skills are all-encompassing parts of establishing a design solution. Therefore, grades will be determined as follows: 

Process Books – 25%
A chronological flow of thinking, research, notations, feedback, sketches, notes, writing, visual planning, and iteration. Must be placed in the book AND reviewed throughout the semester. 5 check-ins are required, with a showcase of ample work in-between.  Failure to show process throughout the semester will result in an “O” for that week’s check-in. Break out below ARE mini exercises that MUST be included in the book. 

( Weekly Uploads 10% + Final Process Book 15%)

Breakout Sessions – 15%
In-class or HW-related exercises to expand your research techniques and category knowledge. 

Midterm Research Summary Report – 10%

Final Concept Presentation – 20%

Discussion and Participation – 15%

Peer feedback, discussions & comments throughout the semester. Need a total of 10 interactions over the course of the semester for full credit. Anything less than 10 with be deducted from the full grade. 

Senior Project Research Paper – 15%
Research, writing, and why the topic is important/impactful. 

Homework/submissions Policy

For in-person/hybrid/online learning: all work is DUE by 11:59 pm 2 days before class. SUNDAY NIGHTS

• Late assignments may be penalized. 
• All submissions must be submitted digitally as a PDF and formatted correctly. (Name_Pjt#_Semester.pdf)
• All submissions must be uploaded to Dropbox/ Blackboard links provided. Multiple uploads and/or duplicate files will ONLY be accepted if clearly indicated. Otherwise, it is considered late.
• Any late projects will be devalued one (1) full letter grade.
• Late assignments will only be accepted up to one week after the deadline and by the same due the week prior.
• Assignments more than 1 week after the deadline will result in an “F / O.” Please refer to the college’s student handbook for the numerical values of grades.

*Please note that absence or lateness DOES NOT excuse the submission of a project on the specified deadline.

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Class Etiquette & Netiquette

Learning is a group activity. The behavior of each person in class affects the overall learning environment. As a COMD student you are expected to act in a professional manner; to be respectful of the learning process, your instructor, and your fellow students.

• OpenLab Community Guidelines. 
• Netiquette Guide (CUNY School of Professional Studies)

Official School Attendance/Participation

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

— ATTENDANCE (COLLEGE) AND LATENESS (DEPARTMENT) POLICIES

The COMD BFA and AAS are design studio programs. In-class activities and engagement with other students is a significant portion of the course. Absences in excess of 10% of the total class hours will result in a 10% drop from your grade due to an inability to meet deliverables of participation. This is in addition to other penalties that will be imposed for failure to complete academic requirements. No more than 4 class absences will be tolerated. It is expected that you will be ready to work at the start of each period. Any 2 latenesses will be considered to be equal to 1 absence.

**Class Engagement Policy** (more important)

There is no “attendance policy for this class. However, there is an “engagement” ” policy, which will affect your final grade for the semester (and, by extension, the quality of your work). You are expected to actively take part in this course in the following ways:

— Attend class meetings on time both in person and online.
— Create things and be prepared to show them on time for crits and discussions.
— Make things thoughtfully, and intentionally, which showcases clear creative decision-making.
— Meet all deadlines for handing in work and process.
— Actively participate and give feedback to classmates in critiques and discussions both in person and online.
— Be actively curious about making things and the things your classmates make.
— Care about yourself & your work, your classmates and their work, this class, and your profession.

Above is a traditional in-person requirement.

Online / Distance learning will have varied ways to determine attendance and participation.

• Uploading required work to Openlab
• Adding feedback to classmate’s work / Process
• Quizzes
• Sync class comments, feedback, or inquiry.

Course Resources

Academic Integrity (Cheating/Plagiarism)

Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, 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. 

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