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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AS 332"
COURSE NAME: "Poster Design"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2021
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Sabrina Schmidt
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: W9:00 AM 11:45 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: one previous course in Graphic Design
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course focuses both on the practical and the theoretical aspects of Poster Design. It will address how to develop graphical concepts in order to bring a coherent message across for didactic purposes, campaigns, exhibitions, or events, and it will examine poster design from an historical and aesthetic point-of view. Technical practice includes an in-depth study of typography, composition, color, photography, and illustration. A basic competence in visual communication, including the major Graphic Design programs, is expected from students who wish to take this course.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course offers an insight into the evolution and artistic expression of poster design throughout history. Historic references and theoretical knowledge will provide students with a fundamental awareness for their design decisions during the course. Students will engage with the three visual languages typography, photography, and illustration, to design a series of posters that represent information in a spatial context.

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 interpret a design brief

How to develop design concepts

How to create a distinct style

How to use typography

How to use imagery

How to use colour

How to prepare artwork
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
How to SeeNelson, GeorgePhaidon978 0 7148 7383 1  
The Art of Looking SidewaysFletcher, AlanPhaidon978 0 7148 34498  
Pentagram: The CompendiumGibbs, DavidPhaidon9780714837697  
TypographyRuder, EmilHastings House9783721200430  
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Project #1Concept and design of an institutional poster25%
Project #2Concept and design of a promotional poster series25%
Project #3Concept and design of a data-driven poster25%
Final examConcept and design of a portfolio25%

-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.

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 (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).

Week 1: Wednesday January 20: Introduction

Session focus: Course overview, introduction project and poster milestones

Week 2: Wednesday January 27: Work-in-progress

Session focus: Concept

Week 3: Wednesday February 3: Work-in-progress

Session focus: Visual language

Week 4: Wednesday February 10: Work-in-progress

Session focus: Design principles

Week 5: Wednesday February 17: Work-in-progress

Session focus: Finalization project #1

Week 6: Wednesday February 24: Work-in-progress

Session focus: Printing techniques

Week 7: Wednesday March 3: Work-in-progress

Session focus: From idea to execution

Spring break 8-12 March

Week 8: Wednesday March 17: Work-in-progress

Session focus: Survey

Week 9: Wednesday March 24: Work-in-progress

Session focus: Finalization project #2

Week 10: Wednesday March 31: Work-in-progress

Session focus: Using data as a storyteller

Week 11: Wednesday April 7: Work-in-progress

Session focus: Colour

Week 12: Wednesday April 14: Work-in-progress

Session focus: Typeface

Week 13: Wednesday April 21: Work-in-progress

Session focus: Creative blocks

Week 14: Wednesday April 28: Work-in-progress

Session focus: Finalization project #3

Week 15: tba: Final exam: Portfolio