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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AS 101"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Graphic Design"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2020
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Sabrina Schmidt
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: M 9:00-11:45 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The aim of this course is to give students a comprehensive introduction to visual communication and to demonstrate how Graphic Design can be an effective and powerful tool for business. It covers a broad spectrum of different design disciplines, ranging from corporate identity, branding, brochure design, poster design, to packaging and illustration, and provides precious insight into the world of Graphic Design. The course is open to all students, particularly those who do not have a background in design, and complements other courses including Business, Management, Marketing and Communication.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Students will learn and apply the basic principles of design (e.g. composition, alignment, contrast, visual hierarchy) through a number of projects that cover different design disciplines. Under the supervision of the instructor, students will carry out graphic design projects that address those basic principles of design. Each project is introduced with professional case studies, technical background information and resources, as well as detailed tutorials for the use of the principal Adobe Creative Cloud Apps.


N.b.
For specific inquiries or to set up an appointment please contact Prof. Schmidt via email on [email protected]

Any changes to the schedule, additional course information, requirements, due dates, etc. are announced via Moodle.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

How to work with a design brief

How to develop a visual concept

How to use colour

How to work with imagery

How to work with type

How to prepare artwork for print

How to use Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop

TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Profile: Pentagram DesignSusan YelavichPhaidon9780714843773  
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
ParticipationCommitment, creativity, resourcefulness, reliability10%
PosterConcept and design of a poster20%
LogoConcept and design of a logo20%
BrochureConcept and design of a brochure20%
Final examConcept and design of a portfolio30%

-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 p
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.

Absence, late arrival, missing or incomplete assignments and/or assignments sent after the established deadline affect the final 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.

Examination policy
A major exam (oral, midterm or final) cannot be made up 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 a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) 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. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.

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).

 

Session #1: Monday 21 September:

Introduction to course 

 

Session #2: Monday 28 September:

Brief project #1: Poster; Session focus: Introduction to Illustrator; working with the basic tools; working with colour; working with shapes

 

Session #3: Friday 2 October (Make-up day):

Project #1 contd.; Session focus: Working with type

 

Session #4: Monday 5 October:

Project #1 contd.; Session focus: Working with a grid; creating illustrations with Illustrator

 

Session #5: Monday 12 October:

Project #1 contd.; Session focus: Working with imagery

 

Session #6: Monday 19 October:

Project #1 contd.; Session focus: Creating final artwork

 

Session #7: Monday 26 October:

Brief project #2: Logo; Session focus: Characteristics of a logo

 

Session #8: Monday 2 November:

Project #2 contd.; Session focus: Logo systems

 

Session #9: Monday 9 November: Project #2 contd.; Session focus: Corporate identities

 

Session #10: Monday 16 November: Project #2 contd.; Session focus: Creative resources

 

Session #11: Monday 23 November:

Brief project #3: Brochure; Session focus: basic types of folds; introduction to InDesign; working with the basic tools; managing an information flow

 

Session #12: Monday 30 November:

Project #3 contd.; Session focus: Fine-tuning photos in Photoshop

 

Session #13: Monday 7 December:

Project #3 contd.; Session focus: Preparing artwork for print

 

Session #14: tba:

Final exam: Portfolio