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Irvine, Instructor
Office: CAB 2036
Office Hours: M/W Noon-1 PM (please make appt. for other
times)
Email: irvinen@uncw.edu
Office Tel: 962-3416
Recommended texts
Photoshop
CS5 for Windows & Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide
Illustrator
CS5 for Windows & Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide
Recommended Tutorials @ Lynda.com ($25/mo.)
Photoshop
CS5
Illustrator
CS5
Course Objective
To develop a framework for awareness and understanding of the
basic principles, forms, techniques and concepts of visual communication
contributing to the field of graphic design through readings, discussion,
assignments and critiques.
Learning Outcomes
• Develop a method of design problem solving
• Acquire basic graphic design software skills
• Discuss and understand some basic visual communication theories
related to graphic design
• Participate in and understand how to critique of visual form
• Develop basic hand skills related to graphic design presentation
and print prototyping
Course Description
Graphic design is an enormously broad and deep discipline. Our
focus in this introductory level course will be on the basic processes
of creative visual problem solving and the use of computer software as
a means to produce prototypes of printed pieces. Course work will consist
of lectures/demonstrations, discussions, readings, and assigned projects.
Reading assignments will be available from the course Web site, or placed
in the studio for copying. Reading assignments are required and are to
be completed before the class when they are scheduled to be discussed.
Work days will be scheduled to work on assigned projects and to provide
individual assistance. Through the course work you will be introduced
to some of the technical, theoretical and practical considerations which
inform current graphic design practice. Software will be demonstrated
during class time (be sure to take notes!) and it is your responsibility
to master the software in order to complete assigned projects outside
of class. If you are having difficulty in learning the software, please
make an appointment to get assistance from me. Your full participation
is required to receive credit for this course and you must attend class
and complete all assigned projects in order to earn a passing grade.
Learning the Software
The software we will using to complete projects will be demonstrated during
class time. Please take notes if you need to, and purchase the recommended
texts if you are having problems learning the software! It is your responsibility
to take the time to learn the software in order to complete assigned projects
outside of class. The third-party software manuals are optional texts,
but it is your responsibility to use them and find answers to your questions.
A copy of these manuals will be kept in CAB 2041. I am also be available
for individual assistance outside of class by appointment. If you are
having difficulty in learning the software, please make an appointment
to get help from me. Your full participation is required to receive credit
for this course. You must complete all assigned projects in order to pass
this course. I will be asking you for a final digital file of every assigned
project as well as a printed version at its completion. Please back up
your files, as they are your responsibility.
CLASS POLICIES
Project Grading Criteria
Product (assessment of your project solution and digital file):
-Conceptual appropriateness for assignment
-Visual organization/composition and hierarchy
-Craftsmanship/Presentation (attention to detail, cleanliness and precision
of final artifacts (printed and digital))
Process (assessment of your ability to solve visual problem):
-Idea exploration and development of multiple solutions when required
-Organization and preparedness for each assigned step of project (sketches,
pin-ups)
-Original thinking
Professionalism (how you conduct yourself in class):
-Attendance (especially during critiques)
-Respect of deadlines
-Use of class time
-Ability to present work and discuss ideas verbally
-Participation in critiques and class discussions
If you attend class regularly and your work reflects average results and
an average amount of effort, you should expect to receive an average grade
(“C”) in this course. Should you desire a higher grade, you
must reflect greater effort in your work both during and outside of class,
and you must exhibit a consistent willingness to hold yourself accountable
to higher standards in your levels of preparation, performance, and participation.
Class Attendance
The class meets in CAB 2041 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 am–10:50
am.You are expected to be prompt, prepared for class with the assigned
work for that class completed, and in attendance until the end of class.
Attendance in mandatory. You may miss two days during
the semester without penalty (work days are good for this). These days
are to accommodate emergencies and illness as well as personal obligations.
Three late arrivals to class equal one absence. Lateness to class and
days missed beyond this limit will impact your final grade. If you miss
more than five classes, you should probably not expect to pass this course.
Please let me know in advance via email if you plan to miss a class.
In accordance with NC SL 2010-211, you are entitled to two excused absences
for religious observanc- es per academic year. You must inform me in writing
the first week of class if you will be missing any classes due to religious
observance and using one of the two permissible absences for the academic
year. In addition, please inform the Registrar the first week of class
who will then confirm your intentions to miss class with the impacted
course instructors. Any absence for religious purposes will be considered
unexcused unless you submit the request in writing the first week to either
me and the Registrar.
Deadlines
All assigned work is due promptly at the beginning of the class for which
it was assigned or work will be considered “late’’.
Failure to hand in work as assigned will be penalized by downgrading for
each day (not class meeting) that your assignment is late. Arriving too
late on the day of a critique may also result in downgrading. Your assignments
are due even if you have to miss class, so please make arrangements to
deliver your work before class to my office or send it to class with a
friend if you know that you must be absent. Again, You must complete all
assigned projects in order to pass the course.
Class Participation
Classes will include work days, critiques, discussions, and lectures/
visual presentations. You are expected to come to class prepared to participate–having
done any assigned readings or work, and with all the materials necessary
to work productively, participate in class discussions and to take notes.
Critiques
We will be critiquing works in progress as well as completed work. Discussing
each other’s work in depth will generate new ideas for you, and
enable you to learn to analyze and think critically about formal, technical,
and conceptual issues. It will also enable you to develop verbal literacy
within the language of visual communication and help you learn to think
on your feet. Your undivided attention and your respectful participation
will be expected during these sessions. Remember–a critique of your
work is not a critique of you personally. It is simply an opportunity
for all of us to learn from each other and to improve the work.
Classroom Policy
You may access the CAB computer classroom 24 hours a day using your student
ID as a security swipe card. The classroom is shared by other students
taking Music and Theatre classes and doing assigned work for those classes.
Please respect your fellow students by making a quiet, productive workspace
for all. Do not bring food or drink into the classroom–it
is prohibited. Please be sure to make safety a top priority by
trying not to work alone in the late hours. Under NO circumstances should
doors be propped open for yourself or other if you leave the building.
Do not copy any software or fonts onto or from the computers. The computers
are there to assist you in completing assigned course work. Please do
not use the computers for assignments other than those taught in the classroom
without first asking permission. Please report any problems to me regarding
equipment, security or any other problems in the classroom. Campus Police
should be notified (962-2222) or cal 911 in an emergency.Your cooperation
is greatly appreciated!
Printing
The
laser printer and plotter are for assigned projects only. PLEASE do not
use them for personal projects or other course work. Please do not put
ink jet paper in the color laser printer. It will severely damage the
printer.
Students with Disabilities
Students with diagnosed disabilities should contact the Office of Disability
Services (962-7555). Please give me a copy of the letter you receive from
Office of Disability Services detailing class accommodations you may need.
Academic
Honesty
A high value is placed on academic integrity at UNCW, particularly as
it pertains to plagiarism. Plagiarism means the appropriation, buying,
receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another person’s
work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s
own work. According to stated UNCW policy, each individual is principally
responsible for his or her own honesty. Click
here to review this policy.
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