LOCATION

Arbury Mac Lab 162

29 August 2023 - 15 December 2023

Mondays & Wednesdays, 1:00PM - 3:50PM

INSTRUCTOR

J. Blake Johnson

jbjohns1@svsu.edu

Arbury Fine Arts 117 – 989 964-2255

OFFICE HOURS

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:00am–12:00noon
or one hour as arranged.

ATTENDANCE & TARDINESS

Consistent attendance is essential. Absence due to health reasons requires a doctor's note to avoid grade implications. Being over 30 minutes late is considered an absence.

Class will convene at the scheduled time and location. Attendance guidelines are as follows:

• Three absences = grade reduced by one letter

• Four absences = grade reduced by two letters

• Five absences = course failure

Being late three times counts as one absence. Arriving more than 30 minutes late or leaving 30 minutes early will result in an unexcused absence.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This introductory course equips students with essential computer skills to structure visual communications effectively.

The curriculum is divided into two key paths of emphasis:

Through this course, students will cultivate critical thinking skills, hone their aesthetic judgments, and familiarize themselves with a diverse set of tools and techniques vital for producing professional-quality work in the graphic design industry.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course aims to:

1) Equip students with the skills to define design challenges, generate innovative ideas, and craft effective communication solutions.

2) Impart a solid understanding of foundational design and typography principles.

3) Provide mastery over essential computer design tools.

4) Enhance students' abilities to articulate design and typography concepts both in speech and writing.

REQUIRED TEXT

No required textbook for this course

Some articles and book passages will be provided.

PROJECT SCHEDULE

There will be 12  assignments during this semester.

The schedule is subject to revision at anytime at the discretion of the instructor. The final number of projects may change based on the speed/skill of the class.

KEY ASSIGNMENTS

Present the finished work in class on the following days…
Project worth 100 Points, Exercises are worth 50 points

Project 1 - Sep 8 - Phone App Tab Bar Icon Design

Project 2 - Sep 22 - Social Media Carousel

Exercise A - Oct 13 - Pen Tool - Outline Image

Exercise B - Oct 20 - Photo Repair

Exercise C - Nov 3 - Hand Coloring in Photoshop

Project 3 - Nov 17 - Currency Design

Project 4 - Dec 8 - Packaging Design

Project 5 - Final - Dec 15 - Portfolio - pass/fail

Note: Projects require students to complete a Concept Sheet, as well as a reading assignment and brief reading summary. Exercises require no concept, only attention to detail and mastery of specific skills.

KEY PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

Typically each project has four parts:

1) the written concept (Concept Sheet)

2) multiple developmental sketches (Concept Sheet)

3) the final work saved as a PDF

4) the presentation of the finished work

CHAPTER READING SUMMARIES

Complete outside of class

Each summary is worth 25 points

Summary 1 - Sep 8, 2023: Designing for Small Screens - Icons
By Studio 7.5

Summary 2 - Sep 22, 2023: Social Media Strategy: Make the Most of a Social Media Plan

Summary 3 - Nov 21, 2023: Color meaning and symbolism: How to use the power of color

Summary 4 - Dec 8, 2023: An Eye For Detail - How Self Promotion

GRADES AND LEARNING

Assessment Criteria

A - Sound application of design/typographic principles in support of a strong concept. Excellent craftsmanship.

B - Most design/typographic principles support the concept. Good craftsmanship.

C - Presence of design/typographic principles, but they do not fully support the concept. Fair craftsmanship.

D - Insufficient understanding of design principles. Weak concept and craftsmanship.

F - Lack of understanding in design. Absent or incoherent idea.

GRADE SCALE

Key project grades are based on an 100 point scale.

Superior

A  93 and above
A- 90 - 92

Very Good

B+ 87 - 89
B  83 - 86
B- 80 - 82

Average

C+ 77 - 79

C  70 - 76

Below Average

D  60 - 69

Failing

F  59 and below

ASSIGNMENT POINTS

There will be fourteen assignments/quizzes during this semester. The schedule is subject to revision at any time at the discretion of the instructor. The final number of projects may change based on the speed/skill of the class.

A breakdown of points possible:

STUDENT WORK AND IMAGES

Your work and images from the classroom might be utilized for promotional purposes. If you'd prefer not to participate, please inform either the instructor or the Chair of the Art Department, Shaun Bangert, at sbangert@svsu.edu.

We may also photograph students and instructors during class sessions for promotional purposes. If you do not want your work or personal images to be used, please let us know, and we will respect your wishes.

NON-DISCRIMINATION

SVSU promotes an inclusive and respectful environment. Discrimination of any form is not tolerated.

COURSE CONTRACT

Continuing enrollment after reviewing this syllabus indicates your agreement with the course rules and expected outcomes.

By staying enrolled, you acknowledge understanding of potential point deductions and academic consequences for non-compliance.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Be creative, prepared, focused, respectful, and open to feedback. Non-compliance results in point deductions. Participation in critiques is mandatory.

PRESENTATION AND CRITIQUE PARTICIPATION

Each student will present their final project's conceptual ideas to the class. This process is an opportunity to articulate the strengths of your design, absorb suggestions for refinement, and engage in constructive dialogue.

1) Every student is expected to actively participate: both presenting their work and providing feedback on others'.

2) Always maintain a professional and respectful tone. Critiques are about the work, not the individual.

3) Embrace feedback and use it constructively in your design evolution. Avoid immediate defensiveness; instead, seek to understand the perspective being offered.

COPYRIGHT POLICY

All work must be original. Violation results in consequences. Refer to SVSU's copyright policy for details.

https://www.svsu.edu/sponsoredprograms/proceduresuniversitypolicies/universitypolicies/

LATE WORK

Late work will be accepted, but a 10 point grade deduction will always apply. The instructor’s permission is needed to turn work in late. However, no late work will be accepted two days beyond the project’s due date.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

All instances of cheating will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct Programs. Using another's design or written work as your own is considered plagiarism.

Responses to academic dishonesty vary based on the severity of the offense:

• Redoing the project using original ideas and work.

• Receiving a failing grade for the course, following University regulations.

• Recording the incident with the Dean of Students for tracking repeated offenses.

For more information see: https://www.svsu.edu/studentconductprograms/codeofstudentconduct/

Artificial intelligence (AI)

In this class, AI serves as a tool to enhance student research and learning, emphasizing critical thinking, fact-checking, and creativity when used correctly. We will always direct AI, (with clear prompts and roughs) rather than let it produce material randomly.

Language is key to collaborating with AI systems. By broadening our vocabulary across academic and casual concepts, we can better harness AI's potential.

As we navigate the evolving world of AI, we'll collaboratively learn to merge its capabilities with human skills, fostering a cyclical workflow between students and AI for improved understanding and results.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

The Department of Art prohibits personal use of electronic devices (cell phones, laptops, tablets) during class for activities like texting, social media, video streaming, and unrelated projects. Violations will lead to a two-point deduction from your final grade per incident and notification of the Department Chair. Please silence and store devices away during class.

Recording lectures requires a letter from the Office of Disability Services.

COMPUTER ISSUES

Technical problems are not acceptable reasons for late submissions. Always ensure you have backup solutions to mitigate data loss.

Using personal laptops is permitted, but potential variations in software and OS may hinder the instructor's ability to help with file-related problems. For consistent technical support, use the provided computers in the Mac Lab.

ACCESSIBILITY RESOURCES

Success in this course relies on the student's aptitude to distinguish visual content in slide and video formats. Students with documented disabilities can request accommodations through the Office of Accessibility Resources & Accommodations.

If you require specific accommodations, please notify the instructor in the first week. All arrangements need formal approval from the Office of Accessibility Resources & Accommodations. More information can be found at https://www.svsu.edu/access/ or contact access@svsu.edu.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Supplies for this class are estimated at $35 to $65

- two flash drives (16 GB or larger) (or an external hard drive and one flash drive)

- spiral bound notebook or 3 ring binder