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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AS 311"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Graphic Design"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Valerio Di Lucente
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TH9:00 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 aim of this course is to provide the advanced theoretical knowledge, practical skills and individual coaching necessary to successfully manage a creative design project from start to finish. The course is meant for students who wish to continue to deepen their knowledge of Graphic Design, and assumes a basic competence in conceptual thinking, design principles, and the use of the major design softwares. Students will carry out comprehensive design projects in the fields of typography, advertising, branding & identity, packaging or illustration, in order to gain insight into the various phases of a design production. Instruction is both on an individual, tutorial level and in group lessons. This course will help students acquire the technical and artistic competency expected in the professional workplace.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course progresses from a critical introduction to graphic design’s cultural relevance to an in-depth study of its core elements: text, image, and reproduction. Students begin with a historical overview, situating design within cultural and technological shifts, before focusing on typography through analytical and experimental approaches. Readings provide theoretical and historical grounding, supporting studio-based exploration of letterforms, composition, and typographic systems. The second half of the course examines reproduction as a central force in visual communication, emphasizing print processes and hands-on experimentation with techniques such as risograph printing. Studio sessions prioritize iterative practice, integrating conceptual inquiry and technical craft. In the final weeks, students develop and present a comprehensive project that synthesizes design research, experimentation, and critical engagement with visual media.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
— Analyze and articulate the cultural, historical, and technological contexts shaping graphic design.
— Apply principles of typography, composition, and visual hierarchy to create clear and impactful design work.
— Experiment with methods of image reproduction and dissemination, with a focus on print processes and risograph techniques.
— Integrate critical theory and studio practice to develop a thoughtful and research-driven design approach.
— Produce and present a cohesive final project that demonstrates advanced conceptual engagement and design craft.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Final Portfolio 10
Participation 20
Assignments  50
Midterm Portfolio 10
Presentation 10

-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:
The aim of this course is to provide the advanced theoretical knowledge, practical skills and individual coaching necessary to successfully manage a creative design project from start to finish. The course is meant for students who wish to continue to deepen their knowledge of Graphic Design, and assumes a basic competence in conceptual thinking, design principles, and the use of the major design softwares. Students will carry out comprehensive design projects in the fields of typography, advertising, branding & identity, packaging or illustration, in order to gain insight into the various phases of a design production. Instruction is both on an individual, tutorial level and in group lessons. This course will help students acquire the technical and artistic competency expected in the professional workplace.
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

#1 Intro

#2 Historical Overview

#3 Typography: Exploring Letterforms
 
#4 Typography: Composition & Analysis

#5 Typography: Composition & Analysis

#6 Typography: Typographic Experiments

#7 Typography: Typographic Experiments

#8 Reproduction: The Fabric of Images
 
#9 Reproduction: Xerox Experiments

#10 Reproduction: Risograph Experiments

#11 Reproduction: Risograph Experiments

#12 Final Project

#13 Final Project

#14 Final Project

#15 Final Review

 

 

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Benjamin, Walter. The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. 1935.

Berger, John. Understanding a Photograph. London: Penguin, 2013.

Blauvelt, Andrew. Graphic Design: Now in Production. Minneapolis: Walker Art Center, 2011.

Bringhurst, Robert. The Elements of Typographic Style. Point Roberts, WA: Hartley & Marks, 1992.

De Bondt, Sara, and Catherine de Smet. Graphic Design History in the Writing (1983–2011). London: Occasional Papers, 2012.

Hollis, Richard. Graphic Design: A Concise History. London: Thames & Hudson, 2001.

Kinross, Robin. Modern Typography: An Essay in Critical History. London: Hyphen Press, 2004.

Lupton, Ellen. Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2010.

Munari, Bruno. Design as Art. London: Penguin, 1971.

Noordzij, Gerrit. The Stroke: Theory of Writing. London: Hyphen Press, 2005.

Pater, Ruben. Caps Lock: How Capitalism Took Hold of Graphic Design, and How to Escape from It. Amsterdam: Valiz, 2021.

Reinfurt, David. A New Program for Graphic Design. New York: Inventory Press/D.A.P., 2019.

Ruder, Emil. Typographie. Sulgen: Arthur Niggli, 1967.

Tschichold, Jan. The New Typography. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1995.

Warde, Beatrice. The Crystal Goblet: Sixteen Essays on Typography. London: W. T. Batsford, 1955.