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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "AS 101-4"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Graphic Design"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2026
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
David Mozzetta
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
T12:30 PM 3:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
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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:
Through a variety of multidisciplinary exercises and projects, students will engage with the field of graphic design. They will develop practical skills in core design principles, such as composition, alignment, contrast, and hierarchy, while working with images, typography, shapes, space, and color. Theoretical focus area will deepen their understanding of graphic design history, and contemporary case studies will offer insights into today’s practices in graphic design.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
During this course students will be able to:
- Apply composition, alignment, contrast, and hierarchy to a design project
- Understand how to work with type, colour, vector and imagery
- Understand the correct use of Adobe software (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, Bridge)
- Understand how to analyze a design brief
- Understand visual research impacts on the development of a design system
- File prep for print and digital production
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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 |
| Attendance and participation | | 10 |
| Weekly Assignments | During each session, students will be expected to complete various assignments. | 30 |
| Midterm Project | Students will create a new design work, after conducting research in design history and graphic design theory. | 30 |
| Final Project | Students will work on a project applying graphic design theory and visual research knowledge. | 30 |
-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 is required.
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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T12:30-3:15pm
Week 1
Jan 20
Introduction to Graphic Design
Week 2
Jan 27
Introduction to Graphic Design II
Week 3
Feb 3
Basic Design: Working with Vectors
Week 4
Feb 10
Typographyc Basics: Working with Type
Week 5
Feb 17
Color Theory: Working with Colour
Week 6
Feb 24
Visual literacy: Working with Images
Week 7 - MIDTERM
Mar 3
Combining Imagery and Typography
Week 8
Mar 10
Layout, Grids, Editorial design
Week 9
Mar 17
Editorial design Focus
Week 10
Mar 24
Editorial design Focus II
Week 11
Mar 31
File Pre-Flight for Print and Digital Production
Week 12
Apr 7
Presenting Your Work: Presentation & Case Study
Week 13
Apr 14
Final Project Work
Week 14
Apr 21
Final Project Work II
Week 15
Final Reviews DATE TBC
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