Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AS 101-1"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Graphic Design"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2023

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Sabrina Schmidt
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: M9:00 AM 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 production

How to use Adobe software

TEXTBOOK:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Poster	Concept and design of a poster	25%
Logo	Concept and design of a logo	25%
Brochure	Concept and design of a brochure	25%
Final exam	Concept and design of a design project	25%

-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:

Students must arrive promptly to begin class in time.

Classes are mandatory. Absences are excused only if the student obtains an exemption from the Dean’s Office. Students seeking an exemption must submit an online petition to the Academic Dean’s Office.

Unauthorized absences, incomplete assignments or assignments handed in late will result in grade penalties.

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.

Class projects must be reviewed during class with the instructor prior to submission in order to obtain full credit.

Students who seek to participate remotely on a regular basis must petition the Dean for permission to become fully remote. Non-remote students are expected to attend all class meetings in person. Non-remote students will be marked absent, even if they connect remotely.

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

Week #1: Mon Sep 4: Introduction to course

Week #2: Mon Sep 11: Brief project #1: Poster/Introduction to Illustrator

Week #3: Mon Sep 18: Project #1 contd./Type

Week #4: Mon Sep 25: Project #1 contd./Structure

Week #5: Mon Oct 2: Project #1 contd./Visual hierarchy

Week #6: Mon Oct 9: Project #1 contd./Saving artwork

Week #7: Mon Oct 16: Brief project #2: Logo/Analysis: What makes a good logo?

Week #8: Mon Oct 23: Project #2 contd./Logo systems

Week #9: Mon Oct 30: Project #2 contd./Analysis: Corporate identity

Week #10: Mon Nov 6: Project #2 contd./Plagiarism

Week #11: Mon Nov 13: Brief project #3: Brochure/Introduction to InDesign

Week #12: Mon Nov 20: Project #3 contd./Image research/Introduction to Photoshop

Week #13: Mon Nov 27: Project #3 contd./Preparing artwork for print

Week #14: Mon Dec 4: Project #3 contd./Insight: Professional experience

Week #15: Final exam: tba