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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "AS 101-4"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Graphic Design"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2023
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Catherine Biocca
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TH12:30 PM 3:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
by appointment
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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.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
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.
Week #1: Mon: Introduction to course / History of the graphic design
Week #2: Mon: Brief project #1: Poster / Introduction to Illustrator
Week #3: Mon: Project #1 Poster: Type / Color / Shape
Week #4: Mon: Project #1 Poster: Structure
Week #5: Mon: Project #1 Poster: Visual hierarchy
Week #6: Mon: Project #1 Poster: Saving artwork
Week #7: Brief project #2: Logo / Analysis: What makes a good logo?
Week #8: Project #2 Logo systems
Week #9: Project #2 Analysis: Corporate identity
Week #10: Project #2 Corporate identity
Week #11: Brief project #3: Brochure / fanzine > Introduction to InDesign (tbc)
Week #12: Project #3 Brochure / fanzine > Introduction to Photoshop + images
Week #13: Project #3 Brochure / fanzine > Preparing artwork for print
Week #14: Project #3 Brochure / fanzine > Insight: Professional experience
Week #15: Final exam tba
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
How to work with type
How to use colour
How to work with a design brief
How to develop a visual concept
How to prepare artwork for production
How to use Adobe software
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Poster Project | Concept and design of a poster
| 25 |
| Logo Project | Self-designed logo using Adobe Illustrator. Prompt: logo design for local business. | 25 |
| Fanzine | Concept and design of a fanzine (images + type + text + shape + colors)
| 25 |
| Final exam Concept and design of a design project | 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 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:
Learners are expected to attend every class period. If they are ill or have obtained an excused absence (in accordance with JCUs official attendance policies), learners are required to notify the instructor in a prompt and timely manner. Furthermore, if learners must miss a class, they are responsible for acquiring the missed information and completing assignments before the next class. Medical excuses without documentation from a physician are invalid. Unexcused absences will affect your participation grade:
2 unexcused absences = forfeit of one letter grade*.
3 unexcused absences = forfeit of additional letter grade.
4 unexcused absences = forfeit of additional letter grade and mandatory student meeting with instructor and department chair.
5 unexcused absences = Five unexcused absences (one third of the course experience) will prevent you from passing the course.
*Refers to learners’ participation letter grade.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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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.
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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.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
How to work with a design brief
How to develop a visual concept
How to use color
How to work with imagery
How to work with type
How to prepare artwork for production
How to use Adobe software
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Meeting place: Mac Lab, Largo Fiorentini 1
Week #1: Mon Aug 30: Introduction to course
Week #2: Mon Sep 6: Brief project #1: Poster/Introduction to Illustrator
Week #3: Mon Sep 13: Project #1 contd./Type
Week #4: Mon Sep 20: Project #1 contd./Composition/Illustrations
Week #5: Mon Sep 27: Project #1 contd./Imagery
Week #6: Mon Oct 4: Project #1 contd./Final artwork
Week #7: Mon Oct 11: Brief project #2: Logo/Analysis
Week #8: Fri Oct 15 (Make-up for Mon 1 Nov): Project #2 contd./Logo systems
Week #9: Mon Oct 18: Project #2 contd./Corporate identity
Week #10: Mon Oct 25: Project #2 contd./Creativity
Week #11: Mon Nov 8: Brief project #3: Brochure/Introduction to InDesign
Week #12: Mon Nov 15: Project #3 contd./Introduction to Photoshop
Week #13: Mon Nov 22: Project #3 contd./Professional experience
Week #14: Mon Nov 29: Project #3 contd./Artwork
Week #15: Mon Dec 6 - Thur Dec 9: Final exam: Portfolio
Overview of key bibliographic works for the course
Recommended:
- Pentagram: The Compendium/by Gibbs, David (1998)/Phaidon/ISBN 9780714837697
- Munari, Bruno (2019). Design as Art/Penguin Classics/ISBN 978 0141035819
- Albers, Josef (2013). Interaction of Color: 50th Anniversary Edition. Yale University Press/ISBN 978 0300179354
- Bierut, Michael (2015) How to, Thames & Hudson/ISBN 978 0 500 51826 7
- Typography/by Ruder, Emil (2009)/Hastings House/ISBN 9783721200430
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