GDP114 Graphic Design I
Syllabus
Instructor: Liz Russotti
russotti@sbcc.edu
Department Chair, Graphic Design
A-176 (Digital Arts Center/DAC).
Office Hours: Tuesday: 9:00 -11:00
Online via Skype (liz@sbcc): Tuesday, Wednesday: 7pm-8pm
OR email for an appointment... OR...just drop by and knock on my door
Required Text:Graphic Design Solutions (4th ed.)by Robin Landa
This text may be RENTED online through the SBCC Book Store or
purchased as an e-book.
This text is also required for GDP212 Graphic Design II.
Course Description:
Graphic Design I begins the process of developing the student's design skills and understanding of the creative potential of form and message to create a visual language.
Developing a sense for good design through critiques, the student experiments with typography, integration of images and text to create projects including posters, brochures and newspaper ads. Students will gain specific understanding of graphic design techniques, learn how to develop concepts to use design as an effective communication tool.
Orientation:
An email will be sent the week before class begins with a video orientation.
Video link is also posted on the class webpage.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
At the end of this semester students will:
• Demonstrate appropriate concepts and methodology to solve design problems.
• Students apply refined skills utilizing industry-standard software to produce graphic design layouts.
Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.... Graphic Design; definition, job of the GD, process,
2..... Elements of design, line, shape, texture, color
3..... Principles of design; balance, Emphasis, alignment, contrast, unity
4..... Positive and negative space, the illusion of space
5..... Visual hierarchy
6..... Four components of graphic design solutions; strategy, concept, suggestions, design
7..... Review of type basics
8..... Tools of organization; Grid layout
9..... Develop projects such as
...... Advertisements; newspaper ads
...... Posters
...... 2-fold, full color brochure
Course Materials and Supplies:
The REQUIRED text book is “Graphic Design Solutions, 4th ed.” by Robin Landa and can be purchased at the SBCC Bookstore. This book can be purchased as an ebook or rented for the semester. It is important to know that this same book will also be used for GDP 212 Graphic Design II. If you are taking Graphic Design II, it might be more cost effective to purchase the paper text.
SOFTWARE:
Adobe Creative Suite CS6
The CS5.5 or CS 6 Design Standard will work for the Graphic Design program but if you are planning on taking Web Design and Flash (which I strongly recommend) I would encourage you
to purchase CS5 Design Premium. Be sure to do a Google search to find the best deal.
The Foundation for California Community Colleges has a great educational price for Adobe software at journeyD.com. Go to this page and select Santa Barbara City College from the drop down menu. Then click on the Adobe Educational Links icon.
I'd also suggest checking the SBCC Bookstore and Adobe Educational sites for pricing.
Attendence:
Please refer to the Attendance policy detailed in the Academic Standards & Policies section of the current SBCC college catalog: http://www.sbcc.edu/catalog/2011_2012/
All students admitted to Santa Barbara City College are expected to be punctual and to attend regularly.
Note: Although this is an asynchronous online course, weekly contributions and participation in this virtual classroom are requirements for participation and success.
Attendance for Online Classes:
It is your obligation to LOGIN and participate in this course EVERY WEEK during this semester.
More than two weeks without logging into this course may result in a drop from this class.
A minimum of three/four hours of work per week online is anticipated.
Please email me immediately if you are experiencing problems or special circumstances.
SBCC Withdraw Policy (SBCC Catalog):
Please refer to the Academic Calendar for drop and withdraw dates: www.sbcc.edu/calendar
Attendance is mandatory. Students who do not attend the first class meeting may be dropped as a no show. Instructors may withdraw a student at any time for excessive absences. As a guideline, absence is considered excessive if a student misses three (3) meetings, or the equivalent of one week of class.
Absence due to illness may be accepted as excused absence for a limited period of time. Students are expected to make appointments for medical and dental treatments at times other than when classes are scheduled.
It is ALWAYS the student's responsibility to withdraw from class.
Course Assignments:
Assignments, projects, quizzes may change at discretion of instructor.
Assignments will be listed in the Week’s Activities document and a direct link to each assignment will be found in that weeks block.
Follow directions for uploading per each assignment.
Reading assignments will include your text as well as readings from online lextures and specific websites.
It is your responsibility to check Assignments regularly to see if any changes have been made.
Assignments:
All STUDENTS (Online and Face2Face)
Late work - Submissions after deadline and up to one week late, minus 10 points
.............. Submissions 2 weeks late, minus 20 points
.............. WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER WEEK 2 OF DUE DATE
You may have the option of redoing and resubmitting most assignments.
Assignments MUST be submitted (even if incomplete) by the DUE DATE in order to be resubmitted for an improved grade.
ALL assignments handed in on time will have until Midnight,
Friday of WEEK 14 of the semester to resubmit.
I will not accept any redos after that time.
Assignments submitted AFTER the Due DATE MAY NOT be redone.
There will be NO exceptions.
Email me to let me know you have resubmitted an assignment.
Your final grade will be based on:
Exercises = 20%
Projects = 45%
Quizzes/Exams= 25%
Discussion and Participation(forums)=10%
Participation (online students-logging in on a regular basis) will be considered for your final grade and can move a grade up or down.
Grades:
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, is poor in concept, execution or composition.
F 64 Work which is completed below standard or work not handed in.
There are many hours outside of class that will be required to complete assignments. You will need access to Adobe Creative Suite Software (see list below) on your own computer — or you may use the Digital Arts Center Computer lab.
Digital Arts Center (DAC):
(refer to above link for open hours)
The DAC lab is available for all students, face-2-face and online, to work on class projects.
Some classes are required to spend at least one or two hours of computer time outside of class to fulfill your unit requirements.
The DAC Lab has all the equipment and software to complete required assignments.
Please refer to the website on College Policies for Students Use of Computers and Networks.
Software
The Graphic Design classes require the use of some or all of the following software to complete assignments:
The Adobe Creative Suite CS: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Indesign.
GDP 111: Illustrator, Photoshop and Indesign - no software necessary
GDP 113: Indesign - some knowledge of software helpful but not necessary
GDP 114: Illustrator, Photoshop and Indesign - some knowledge of software helpful
GDP118: Internet access, no other specific software required
GDP 212: Illustrator, Photoshop and Indesign - knowledge of software necessary to be successful
GDP 215: Illustrator, Photoshop and Indesign - knowledge of software necessary to be successful
GDP 230: Illustrator, Photoshop and Indesign - knowledge of software necessary to be successful
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
Academic Honesty
The instructor expects and trusts each student to maintain high standards of honesty and ethical behavior. All assignments submitted in fulfillment of the course requirements must be the students’ own work. All assignments except those designated as “group” are meant to be individual efforts. Group efforts are meant to be equal efforts of all group members. It is assumed that students will perform professionally in preparing work for this class.
A little bit about my Philosophy in life....
"We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence is a habit, not an act."
Aristotle
I truly believe that hard work, perseverence and creativity are the keys to success in all you do in life. Human beings are essentially a creative species.
The human mind is designed to create.
I believe it is my job to help each of my students discover their strenghs and weaknesses and to help keep each one motivated. I will try to inspire you and encourage you to go beyond what you feel is your best. I'll be encouraging you to dig deep, to challenge yourself and discover that you have the ability to be/do more than you ever realized.
Any class you take during your educational career will require you to think and make decisions. I will expect you to think critically about various issues; concepts, design, layout, creativity, ethics as it relates to media, and to participate in class discussions and ask questions and even to challenge my responses.
Let me know that your brain is working!
Always remember that the true success of anything you do in life lies in your ability to
question, seek answers and work hard.
Never settle for mediocrity.
You deserve better than that.
I hope this semester will be successful and enjoyable.
I look forward to working with each of you.
