COMD 1100 – Graphic Design Principles I

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.

1cl hr, 5 lab hrs, 3 cr

 

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

 

Course Objectives

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES

ASSESSMENT

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

 

Evaluation methods and criteria

Use analog media to communicate and develop concepts through sketching, design prototypes, and illustration

 

Students produce drawings and sketches through the development process of all projects.

 

Use industry-standard software tools (Adobe CC) to execute graphics, illustrations, and photo-illustrations

 

Students will employ these tools for multiple projects and activities.

Use the elements and principles of design in a composition. 

 

The students will create a pattern and describe the visual concepts used (line, space, shape, form, etc.) in a discussion.

Apply the design development process to ideate and realize projects’ creative and artistic direction.

Students will demonstrate competency by researching stylistic influences, producing thumbnail sketches and comps, and iterating designs to achieve a successful final execution.

 

Utilize the concept of compositional balance, including symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial balance.

 

Students will demonstrate competency by designing a series of patterns utilizing various forms of balance.

Apply color theory to a specified design.

Students will demonstrate competency by using color theory to create a balanced composition.

Understand fundamental concepts of digital imaging, including electronic color systems, raster and vector graphic types, and image formats/compression.

 

Students will demonstrate competency across multiple projects by creating digital compositions in a representative range of formats.

Design a pattern of three-dimensional forms in one-point and two-point perspective.

The students will demonstrate how volumes can be designed using perspective.

Create various design styles to define different visual identities.

 

The students will demonstrate the use of design concepts in a stylized design creating an identity for the subject matter.

Define and explain the design concepts and vocabulary in a critique.

 

Students will gain familiarity and proficiency with design concepts and vocabulary by employing it during design development and critique sessions.

Present a basic portfolio of the projects in this course for final review. 

The students will present their portfolio and participate in a formal critique.

 

General Education Outcomes

General Education Outcome covered:

How the outcome is assessed:

Thinking Critically

The student will demonstrate the ability to evaluate evidence and apply reasoning to make valid inferences.

Evaluate through class critique to determine how well students were able to advance their project concepts by applying evidence and using logic to make decisions.

 

Oral Communication

Speaking: The student will demonstrate the ability to articulate himself using relevant industry-specific language

Evaluate through class discussion and /or written tests if students use appropriate nomenclature to defend creative, critical and technical decisions in project concepts and development.

 

Writing

The student will demonstrate the ability to write clearly articulated thoughts in a professional, informed manner.

 

Evaluate how well students absorbed and consequently applied the learning though graded written portions of projects.

 

Teaching/Learning Method

  • Lecture/ Readings
  • Demonstrations
  • Project based lab
  • Research Assignments
  • Blackboard Descriptions

 

Required Text

None

 

Required Materials

Required Materials

Please acquire all the required materials listed below, and pay particular attention to the specifications for the paper (size and weight). If you are unable to find the exact item described below, ask either myself or an employee at an art supply store to recommend a similar product.

 

 

The following items are recommended, but not strictly necessary:

 

Attendance (College) and Lateness (Department) Policies:

Attendance is taken and is important to success in this class. Both absences and arrival more than 20 minutes after the start of class will be marked. If excessive, the instructor will alert the student that they be in danger of not meeting the course objectives and participation expectations, which could lead to a lower grade.

 

Academic Integrity Standards

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 and at New York City College of Technology and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion.

 

Grading

Lost and Found (Project 1) 

15% 

Analyze figure ground relationships from two photographs, then recreate as abstract paintings. 

 

Pattern Portrait (Project 2) 

10% 

Reduce a color portrait to areas of different values, then digitally re-illustrate using patterns of varying densities to represent those values. 

 

Living Room (Project 3) 

15% 

Design a textile (fabric) pattern to complement the interior design of a space from film, TV, or other mass media. 

 

Album Art (Project 4) 

10% 

Employ photomontage techniques to design the cover artwork and type treatment for an album by a fictional band with a randomly generated name. 

 

Photo-Illustration (Project 5) 

10% 

Create a scene of a fictional ancient ruin by compositing an artifact from the Metropolitan Museum’s collection with a new background to present it at monolithic scale. 

 

 

Portfolio/Zine (Project 6) 

20% 

Design a staple-bound, tabloid-size multi-page booklet; this can be a personal portfolio of your design work, or a zine related to the topic of your choice (subject to approval). 

 

PPA (Participation/Preparation/Attendance) 

20% 

PPA is based on regular attendance, participation and engagement during critiques and classroom exercises, and timely completion of homework assignments. 

 
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