G r a p h i c D e s i g n I Fall 2007
Syllabus MDAR-235-82 Graphic Design I, Fall 2007 INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION: Robert Gassiot, MPS Phone: Home: (504) 899-1804 Work: (504) 896-9582 E-mail: rgassiot@tulane.edu rgassiot@chnola.org Campus mailbox: Elmwood campus Web site: www.tulane.edu/~rgassiot Office hours: By appointment Course/University Information: Tulane University, School of Continuing Studies Media Arts Department Course: MDAR-235-82: Introduction to Graphic Design Fall 2007 Time: Thursday, 6 pm - 8:40 pm Location: Elmwood Campus Blackboard: mytulane.blackboard.com Course Fees: Special course fees are $35. Course Description: This is an introductory course in the field of graphic design. An emphasis is placed on terminology, file types, design techniques, color (spot and 4-color process), and software training. Software training primarily focuses on Adobe InDesign CS3. File types, typography and layout are additional concentrations included in the class. Other software products/topics discussed, but formal training is not provided in this course, include Quark X-Press, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe FreeHand, Adobe Acrobat Professional, Adobe ImageReady, Adobe Flash and Adobe Fireworks. A series of projects and in-class assignments are assigned to assist the student with developing design skills utilizing software. All projects will be evaluated and critiqued by peers at end of the semester. Course is a prerequisite to MDAR-335. Course Objectives: To enhance, guide and train students in the graphic arts field. Students are expected to incorporate software training with theories color theory, typography, and utilize graphic design vocabulary to prepare visually appealing, artistic visual communication pieces on computer platforms. Course Requirements: All class meetings should be attended. Failure to do so will jeopardize your training of design software. Purchase necessary text and complete assignments on due dates. Late projects will be penalized. Participate in class discussions. Ask questions. Prepare yourselves for end-of-semester critiques. Bring acceptable printed items to class to discuss the design and layout (i.e., magazines, newspapers, packaging, CD covers, direct mail pieces, etc.). Attendance: Attendance is expected and is in accordance with Tulane University School of Continuing Studies regulations. Notify instructor PRIOR to missing class. E-mails are acceptable. Assignments, Projects & Deadlines: All projects must be completed by yourself. Any prior coursework or published work will not be accepted. Projects will be submitted both in electronic (original source file) and as a final printed piece. At the end of the semester each student will make an electronic portfolio utilizing PDF technology.
Grading/Assignments: 10 Projects/2 assignments...40% 2 Quizzes...20% 1 Midterm...20% 1 Final project/presentation/ critique...20% Grading Scale: Grading scales follows Tulane University standards. A (+/-) Excellent B (+/-) Above average C (+/-) Average D (+/-) Below average F Failing Computer Lab: Students are expected to complete assigned projects by due dates. Any student who does not complete projects/class assignments will automatically be dropped one letter grade. Students are expected to utilize Computer Lab. (Note: frequent use of computers/software enhances and improves both design and computer skills.) Computer Lab Hours: Monday Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturdays & Holidays: per monitor s posted schedule Class Rules: No cell phone use during class. No IPOD use, unless for file storage. No Napster downloads. No Internet surfing during class. If requested, computer monitors must be turned OFF during class lectures. Class absences must be submitted in writing. E-mail accepted. Required Course Text: Adobe InDesign CS3 How-Tos: 100 Essential Techniques. Anton and Cruise, 2007. Basics of Design: Layout & Typography for Beginners. Lisa Graham, 2005. Suggested text: InDesign Type. Nigel French, 2006. Required Course Materials: E-ruler and/or Ruler* Storage device: IPOD, jump drive, etc.** (512 KB to 1 gig) Color wheel* Calculator (helpful, but not required) *Art supply store **Computer or office supply store Honor code: Adhere to University s honor code standards and procedures. All coursework should be original work from student. http://college.tulane.edu/honorcode.htm Education Resource Center: http://erc.tulane.edu Resources: www.adobe.com www.quark.com www.aiga.com Note: Subject to change This form created in Adobe InDesign CS3 on both Windows and Macintosh platform. Type: ITC Stone Sans, ITC Stone Serif Copyright 2007. Robert Gassiot.
Projects MDAR-235-82 Graphic Design I, Fall 2007 Assignment 1: What is Graphic Design? Design Analysis & Font Project Design Analysis: Design by Dissection Bring in an example of a graphic design piece that you like or dislike. We will discuss elements of the item including layout features, size, color and type, etc. (Examples include magazines, direct mail pieces, magazines, Web sites, etc.) Font Project: Create an 8.5 X 11 document. Type all the names of the fonts on your system in a one column layout. Format the name of the font in the font name. This provides as a useful tool during the semester. Assignment 2: Resumé What s more important than having a great-looking resumé? This project will emphasis the proper use of fonts, lines, tabs and indents and text frame options. Project 1: Flyer Size: 8.5 X 11 flyer. This exercise is intended to provide an introduction of creating a new document, layout, file types, importing and placing graphics, placing text and the toolbox. This exercise will also introduce color concepts (Spot color vs. four-color process). Project 2: Brochure Size: 8.5 X 11 brochure. Instructor will provide photography and text for layout placement. This exercise provides practice with layout, placing file types, importing and placing graphics, formatting text and columns/grids. Project 3: Corporate Identity Package This exercise will demonstrate that you can create a logo in Adobe InDesign CS3, even though it is most likely logos are created either in Illustrator or Photoshop. You will incorporate your logo design and color scheme into a letterhead, envelope and business card. You will also select paper and printing requirements. Project 4: Poster Size: 11 X 17 flyer. Scale of project differs from other flyers created. Concepts of the tabloid are based on students ideas. Suggestions include music venues, Mardi Gras, churches, etc. Make the tabloid visually interesting and communicate to your intended target audience. Project 5: Advertisement Create an advertisement based on the guidelines provided. The purpose of the exercise is to introduce the student to standards that are normally placed within an agency/ company. Guidelines of the advertisement will come from a selected local magazine. (To be announced. Samples include: New Orleans, Gambit, etc.) Project 6: Newsletter Re-design an existing 11 X17 newsletter that was originally created in Microsoft Word (word processing software). This exercise will demonstrate the major differences of design/layout software vs. word processing software. The newsletter will be printed double-sided and in four color. Type control is a critical issue here. Paragraph and character formatting are new topics reviewed. Project 7: Business Form Business is a part of everyday life, even in the design field. Design a 8.5 X 14 form. Exercise will demonstrate the importance of tabs, tables, and the step and repeat function. Project 8: Magazine Cover Design a visually interesting and appealing magazine cover. You can either create a new magazine or re-design an existing magazine. Creativity is the goal. Target audience should be an influential factor in project. Project 9: Invitation Design an inspirational and appropriate invitation for an event. This project demonstrates old school techniques of cut and paste and proper presentations of finished product. Actual envelope provided. Project 10: Web Design Create a storyboard using InDesign for a proposed Web site based on your corporate identity package.
Summary MDAR-235-82 Graphic Design I, Fall 2007 DATE OBJECTIVE/PROJECT 1 August 30 Introduction class; Assignment 1: FONT PROJECT 2 September 6 Lecture (Typography/layout/tabs); Assignment 1: FONT PROJECT/DESIGN BY DISSECTION and Assignment 2: RESUME/PDF 3 September 13 Lecture (File types), Project 1: FLYER/PDF 4 September 20 Lecture (Color); Project 2: BROCHURE/PDF 5 September 27 Lecture (Identity/Logos); Project 3: CORPORATE IDENTITY PACKAGE/PDF 6 October 4 QUIZ; Lecture; Project 4: POSTER/PDF 7 October 11 Lecture; Project 5: ADVERTISEMENT/PDF 8 October 18 Mid-term; Lecture; Project 6: NEWSLETTER/PDF 9 October 25 Lecture; Project 7: BUSINESS FORM/PDF 10 November 1 Lecture; Project 8: MAGAZINE COVER 11 November 8 Lecture; Project 9: INVITATION/PDF and Project 10: WEB DESIGN COMP/STORYBOARD/PDF 12 November 15 LAB WEEK 13 November 22 Thanksgiving holiday 14 November 29 QUIZ; PRESENTATIONS DUE 15 December 6 CLASS CRITIQUES; FINAL EXAM PREPARATIONS 16 December 13 Final PRESENTATIONS/projects PROJECT DUE DATES: Due dates will be announced. TENTATIVE QUIZ DATES: Thursday, October 4 Thursday, November 14 Dates are subject to change with notification. This form created in Adobe InDesign CS3 on a Windows platform. Type: ITC Stone Sans, ITC Stone Serif Copyright 2007. Robert Gassiot.
August Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Classes begin 30 Week 1 31 Graphic Design I a c a d e m i c c a l e n d a r f a l l 2 0 0 7
SEPTEMBER Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 LABOR DAY Week 2 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Week 3 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Week 4 23 / 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 Week 5 Graphic Design I a c a d e m i c c a l e n d a r f a l l 2 0 0 7
OCTOBER Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 Week 6 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Week 7 14 15 16 17 Mid-term 18 Week 8 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Week 9 28 29 30 31 Graphic Design I a c a d e m i c c a l e n d a r f a l l 2 0 0 7
NOVEMBER Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Week 10 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Week 11 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Week 12 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 THANKSGIVING 25 26 27 28 29 30 Week 14 Graphic Design I a c a d e m i c c a l e n d a r f a l l 2 0 0 7
DECEMBER Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 Week 15 7 Last day of class 8 9 10 Exam Period 10-18 11 12 13 Final Exam 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 / 30 24 / 31 25 26 27 28 29 CHRISTMAS Graphic Design I a c a d e m i c c a l e n d a r f a l l 2 0 0 7