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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AS 330 H"
COURSE NAME: "Graphic Design: Corporate Identity and Branding - HONORS (This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2019
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Sabrina Schmidt
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: W 9:00-11:45 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: one previous course in Graphic Design, including AS 232
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is meant for students who wish to deepen their knowledge in the field of corporate identity and branding. It will address how to respond to technical and communication requirements of a design brief, develop visual concepts, create a system of graphical elements that form the basis of an identity, and define a strategy for a brand. The course will also consider the professional standards of preparing artwork for print. The course requires good competence in visual communication and expertise in the major Graphic Design programs.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course enables students to manage a corporate identity design project from start to finish. 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. Students are asked to check this regularly and in advance of each class.
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
ParticipationCommitment, responsibility, resourcefulness, presentation skills, punctuality and timely delivery of assignments25%
Concept developmentCommitment, originality, interpretation skills25%
Graphical executionResponsibility, attention to detail, technical skill25%
Final evaluationFinal presentation of design project (portfolio) including complete digital documentation25%
HONORS Project 1Additional design project (Web)50%
HONORS Project 2Additional design project (Print)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.
Announcements, presentations, tutorials, etc. are given at the start of each session.
Absence and late arrival affect the final grade.
Missing or incomplete assignments and/or assignments sent after the established deadline lower the grade.
Students are responsible for catching up with any course material they miss.
Make-up work is not offered, except in exceptional circumstances and after consultation with the Dean of Academic Affairs.
Students cannot make-up a major exam (Midterm or Final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family, or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused.
Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam.
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).

Week 1: Wednesday January 23:
Course introduction
Brief part I
Session focus: Presentation client and scope of work

Week 2: Wednesday January 30:
Work-in-progress
Session focus: A new branding model

Week 3: Wednesday February 6:
Work-in-progress
Session focus: Project planning

Week 4: Wednesday February 13:
Brief part II
Session focus: Visual hierarchy

Week 5: Wednesday February 20:
Work-in-progress
Session focus: Analysis feedback client

Week 6: Wednesday February 27:
Work-in-progress
Session focus: Fonts

Week 7: Wednesday March 6:
Work-in-progress
Session focus: Design inspiration

Week 8: Friday March 8 (Make-up day for Wednesday May 1):
Brief part III
Session focus: Case studies

Monday March 11 - Friday March 15: Spring break

Week 9: Wednesday March 20:
Brief part IV
Session focus: Visual composition

Week 10: Wednesday March 27:
Work-in-progress
Session focus: Proportion

Week 11: Wednesday April 3:
Work-in-progress
Session focus: Artwork for print

Week 12: Wednesday April 10:
Work-in-progress
Session focus: Design critique

Week 13: Wednesday April 17:
Brief part V
Session focus: Portfolio

Week 14: Wednesday April 24:
Work-in-progress
Session focus: Finalization of project

Wednesday May 1: Holiday (Make-up day Friday March 8)

Week 15: Monday May 6 / 9:00 am - 11:30 am:
Final exam: Presentation of portfolio