Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AS 299"
COURSE NAME: "Special Topics in Studio Art: Editorial Design"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2022

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Valerio Di Lucente
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: T 3:30 PM 6:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: This class requires a materials fee of €75/$85 to cover all basic art supplies.
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 course is an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of Editorial Design. The last three decades saw an unprecedented advancement of digital technologies, particularly in the publishing field with new modes of production and newly found applications, with many fearing the so-called 'end of print'. Today books and magazines are relevant more than ever, and despite any predictions, we have witnessed the flourishing of independent publishing houses and new ways of thinking about magazines, books and printed objects at large. This studio-based course will encourage students to investigate how Artists and Designers have taken advantage of new technologies to challenge and rethink what print can do, making editorial design a central aspect of cultural production. Students will develop increased awareness of the design process and enhanced skills in Adobe Illustrator to facilitate their ability to generate, develop and visually present editorial projects. Emphasis will be placed on the relationship between concept, content and design.

Initial projects will be heavily directed and facilitate an understanding of the fundamentals of editorial design including: typography, grids, rhythm, paper typologies, printing and binding techniques. Through a series of initial lectures and practical workshops, students will develop publications of increasing length and complexity for a range of briefs. The second half of the course will focus on independent publishing projects. Students will be supported to develop professional project proposals, from concept to final product. Students will engage with individual research and development techniques specific to the design process anchored within growing proficiency in Adobe InDesign, printing and binding techniques.

Expected class expenditure: €50–75 circa for any production requirement such as special papers, printing and binding costs.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of the course, students will:

· Demonstrate an understanding of various types of editorial products, from books, pamphlets and magazines.
· Learn to edit and curate content.
· Learn the essentials of design software.
· Learn about printing and binding.
· Produce a series of publications of diverse complexity and typology.

TEXTBOOK:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Attendance and participation	Active participation, engagement in group critiques.	15%
In class Exercises	A portfolio should be submitted documenting all the class projects within the schedule. Guidance on how to present work to a professional standard will be discussed within class.	25%
Detailed plan	A clearly articulated plan, which documents the intentions, research methods and technical considerations relevant to the final publication should be submitted. Guidance on how to execute and present the plan will be discussed in class.	10%
Draft	A draft of the final project is required. This is a working document which conveys clearly the direction of the publication. Students should annotate the draft with their own reflections in order to evidence their action plan for developing the project.	10%
Final publication	The final publication, must be professionally presented, printed and bound. The project will be discussed individually with each student, ongoing feedback, learning conversations and group critique will support the student in generating a final publication.	40%
In class Exercises	Projects will be graded based on the following: 1. Concept: Project presents evidence of research and contextual awareness. 2. Design: Awareness and practical application of design principles, such as layout, color and scale. Attention to detail and continuity is imperative. 3. Content: Student displays ability to research, source and create appropriate content over multiple pages. 4. Presentation: A final publication demonstrating the knowledge and skills acquired over the course, with particular focus on technical proficiency and ability to develop an idea from concept to final product.

-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 problems.
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.
FNegligent in attendance, academic honesty, engagement with the course content, or production of work.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You 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 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

SCHEDULE & DETAILS

Expected course expenditure €50-75 (Materials / Production)

(1)

INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY

Discussion: Introductions / Review of the syllabus / History of books and magazine / History of printing and materials

In-class exercise: Overview of key software, typography and the creation of a basic document.

(2)

EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE

Discussion: Deeper understanding of Adobe InDesign & Photoshop / Typography / Grids / Colour systems.

In-class exercise: Create a small 4 pages pamphlet

(3)

PUBLICATION RHYTHMN & STRUCTURE

Discussion: Deeper analysis of grids and structuring of content, understanding pace and hierarchy.

In-class exercise: Design multiple grid systems.

(4)

PRINTING & BINDING WORKSHOP

Discussion: Printing techniques / Binding workshop

In-class exercise: Creation of blank booklets and diy binding

(5)

RESEARCH & EDITING

Discussion: Presentation of initial research and analysis of material

In-class exercise: Basic Layout and first editing

(6)

CONCEPT

Discussion: Translating the content into an object / choose the format and type of publication

In-class exercise: Start to shape the gathered material in a first design and structure

(7)

DESIGN

Discussion: Design crit of first design

In-class exercise: Publication development

(8)

DESIGN

In-class exercise: Publication development

(9)

DESIGN

In-class exercise: Publication development

(10)

PRINTER VISIT

Discussion: Visit to a local printer to discuss and deepen understanding on production processes.

(11)

DESIGN

In-class exercise: Publication development

(12)

DUMMY & PRINT TESTS

In-class exercise: Finalise design and make print tests / first blank dummy.

(13)

PRINTING

In-class exercise: Final design / Booklet production.

(14)

PRINTING

In-class exercise: Final design / Booklet production.

(15)

EXAM

Final book presentation.