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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AS 399H"
COURSE NAME: "Special Topics in Studio Art: Graphic Identity Design-HONORS (This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2017
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Sabrina Schmidt
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: W 9:00AM 11:45AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 60
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: One previous course in a relevant Studio Art field
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Specialized courses offered periodically on specific aspects of studio arts. Courses are normally topics on an area of current artistic or technical concern led by a specialist in the field.
May be taken more than once for credit with different topics.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This special topic course is meant for students with a good competence in visual communication - including the use of Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign - who wish to deepen their knowledge in the particular field of corporate identity. Students learn the importance of responding to technical and communication requirements provided by a design brief to develop strong visual concepts and create a system of design elements that form the basis of a distinct identity. The course addresses the aspects of logo evolution, typography, colour, composition and alignment, and illustrates the professional standards of preparing artwork for print.

Under the supervision of the instructor, each student will carry out a design project with a defined scope of work. The main focus of the course will consist in concept development, graphical execution, time management, and presentation skills. Background information, including insightful experiences from world renowned Graphic Desigers, and inspiring case studies, will further students’ learning and understanding of Graphic Design in today’s world.

 

N.b. 
For specific inquiries or to set up an appointment please contact Prof. Schmidt via email on [email protected]
Changes, additional course information, etc. will be posted on MyJCU. Please check this regularly and, certainly, in advance of each class.
Make-up work is not offered, except in exceptional circumstances and after consultation with the Dean of Academic Affairs.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

How to interpret a design brief
How to define an identity
How to develop design concepts
How to create a distinct style
How to prepare artwork for print & web

TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
ParticipationParticipation is expressed through commitment, resourcefulness, originality, technical skill, presentation skills, attention to detail, punctuality and timely delivery of assignments.50%
Final examFinal presentation of design projects including complete digital documentation.50%
HONORS PROJECT 1Additional design project (Print)50%
HONORS PROJECT 2Additional design project (Packaging)50%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality shows excellent mastery of the course content along with exceptional levels of technical skill, artistic awareness, originality, resourcefulness, commitment, quantity of work and improvement. There has been excellent collaboration and leadership in group projects, and there have been no attendance prob
BA highly competent level of performance with work that directly addresses the content of the course, with a good quantity of work produced.
CAn acceptable level of performance: the work shows awareness of the course content, but is very limited in quantity, quality, commitment and skill.
DThe student lacks a coherent grasp of the course material and has failed to produce much work. The student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FNegligent in attendance, academic honesty, or engagement with the course content.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

All scheduled classes are mandatory.
Late arrival will be noted and affects the final grade.
Please refer to the university catalogue for the attendance and absence policy.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

 

Meeting place: Mac Lab, Largo Fiorentini 1 (Inside Art Studio: Internal 3).

1. Wednesday January 18 - Kick-off project (Brief)

2. Wednesday January 25 - Development concepts

3. Wednesday February 1 - Development concepts

4. Wednesday February 8 - Development concepts

5. Wednesday February 15 - Development concepts

6. Wednesday February 22 - Work-in-progress chosen concept

7. Wednesday March 1 - Work-in-progress

8. Wednesday March 8 - Work-in-progress

9. Wednesday March 15 - Work-in-progress

10. Wednesday March 22 - Work-in-progress

11. Wednesday March 29 - Interim presentation

12. Wednesday April 12 - Fine-tuning design

13. Wednesday April 19 - Fine-tuning design

14. Wednesday April 26 - Fine-tuning design

15. April 29 - May 5 - Final presentation and delivery (exact date/time tba)