GDP111
Graphic Design Basics
Syllabus
Description
Students will be introduced to the applications used in desktop publishing. Adobe Creative Suite software including Adobe Indesign, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop will be used in creating basic layouts.
Terminology, typography, composition, text and graphic integration, file formats, color modes are some of the topics to be discussed.
Objectives
With successful completion of this course, students will have an understanding
of the following topics:
1. develop a layouts using the page layout software to correctly place images,
text, assign style sheets and masterpages.
2. develop layouts using text and images with regard to the design principles
of alignment, balance, contrast, emphasis, flow and unity.
3. prepare vector and rastor images for print layouts with regard to resizing,
resolution and file format.
4. develop layouts with images for each of the print color modes; CMYK and Pantone
or spot color.
5. prepare files for print prepress.
Reading assignments will
include assigned book readings, website references, handouts, and pdf
text supplied by the instructor.
Instructor may change exercises or projects dates
at her discretion.
All projects and materials will be made available at the
beginning of each unit.
You must save all your assignments as Indesign Packages
and submit them as PDF files. You will submit digital
files in the “Work Due” course folder on the transfer drive.
All projects must be submitted on time. If you wish to
re-do a project, you may only re-submit the project by
the following week of receiving the returned grade.
Projects MUST be submitted by the DUE DATE in order to
be resubmitted.
No exceptions.
Grading
Your final grade will be based on:
50% Projects (Some projects may carry more weight than others.)
10% Attendance and Participation
25% Forum Posts
15% Process Book Final Submission
A 100-90:
Only expect an A if work is exceptional. This means that the
project must be
completed and presented in a professional manner. It has to stand
up against
the best.
B 89-80
Work that goes further than the project requires. Concept, and
composition
show extra merit.
C 79-70
Competent work. Basic requirements of project are met.
D 69-65
Work which does not meet project requirements and is poor in
concept,
execution or composition.
F 64
Work which is completed below standard or work not handed in.
Software
The Graphic Design classes require the use of some or all
of the following software
to complete assignments:
The Adobe Creative Suite 5(CS5)
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Indesign and Acrobat Professional.
There are many hours outside of class that will be required to complete assignments. You will need access to Adobe Creative Suite Software on your own computer — or you may use the Digital Arts Center Computer lab. You will need Adobe Creative Suite Software to accomplish these assignments successully.
Lab Hours
There are hours outside
of the class which you are able to use the Digital Arts
Center Computer lab. The hours are posted on the door.
It is important to remember that the Graphic Design classes
focus on creativity and design using the software as tools
to produce your ideas. You will be learning the basics
of the software as you work through the assignments. We
will be learning specific functions within Illustrator
and Photoshop and Indesign. It is NOT NECESSARY to know
these programs, again, you will be learning as you work through the
assignments.
Attendance
I appreciate your attendance and class participation. Please notify me by email
if you will be unable to attend class. You are missed when you are not there.
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class.
Attendance Policy
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class.
Tardiness of 15 minutes or more may be counted as one absence.
Leaving early may also be considered an absence.
Course Materials and Supplies
The following text are required and can be purchased online or is available immediately in the bookstore.
Exploring InDesign CS5, by Terry Rydberg,
© 2010 Delmar Learning
There are also countless other books to light your creative
fires. I will supply you with a list of these resources.
Most importantly, absorb everything around you. What you
see. Things you read. The light through the trees. Visual
stimulation of patterns, shapes, colors, textures, clutter,
emptiness... everything that you bring to design begins
with observation as inspiration! You can be taught to be
proficient with the computer as a tool, but the creative
flow needs to come from your acuity to the world around
you and the juices within!
Materials you will need for class:
Conventional:
• A spiral bound journal to accumulate your creative
sc
Digital:
•
A portable storage device in order to work on the computer
in class and to continue exercises at home and in the DAC lab.
IPOD is an excellent storage device
Mini USB Flash Drive
[Another good device but not as reliable as the iPod.]
You can transmit zipped files via: yousendit.com
You can also upload your zipped digital files to xythos.
Use this email
victoria@victoriatorf.com
to notify me of emergencies or other pertinent information.
[My computer filters out email addresses that are not in my address book. Put SBCC GDP111 in your subject line in order for me to "see" your email!]
DSPS — Disabled Student Programs & Services
SBCC students with disabilities who are requesting accommodations for classes, college activities or tests should use the following SBCC procedure. (NOTE: This also includes students who are requesting to bring service animals into classes. The procedure also includes requests to bring personal service attendants into classes as volunteers or hired by outside agencies.)
[1] Contact Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS).
[2] Submit documentation of your disability to the DSPS office.
[3] Communicate with a DSPS counselor regarding options for
services and accommodations.
[4] Reach written accommodation agreement with the DSPS counselor
and your instructor.
SBCC requests you complete this process at least ten working days before your accommodation is needed, in order to allow DSPS staff time to provide your accommodation.
Contact: DSPS office (805) 965-0581 x 2364, SS Building, room 160, dspshelp@sbcc.edu
Class & Lab Rules
Turn
off all cell phones or pagers, do not check personal e-mail
or surf the web during class or lab.
Please leave your space neat and clean at the end of class.
About Victoria Torf
If you want to know a little about me you can go to www.victoriatorf.com
I am pleased to be teaching Graphic Design Basics. I look forward to working with you to maximize your comfort, skills and knowledge of the many facets of computer graphics and design.
“Questions are the creative acts
of intelligence.”
~ Dr. Frank Kingdon
Like everything, the more you put into the class, the more you will get out of it. I look forward to active participation, questions and feedback from you. We can all learn from one another as we move through the breadth of materials and projects during the year.
“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken
joy in creative expression and knowledge.”
~ Albert Einstein
I hope that my passion for both the graphic arts profession and teaching, along with the shear awe and ambitious use of the creative tools we have available — will help you enjoy and be motivated to dive into the many areas we cover in this course.
I look forward to working with each of you.
Vicki Torf
