GRAPHIC DESIGNCourse Syllabus / Calendar

Long Branch High SchoolVisual and Performing Arts AcademyInstructor - R. Derrick

Summary

Graphic Design is an active course, focusing on the major components of graphic/digital art, and standard commercial art practices relating to still imagery. From traditional media to the use of digital software, this course offers an all encompassing approach to the essentials of design, as geared for both the beginner to intermediate designer. Aside from professional lab conduct, students are expected to demonstrate daily organizational habits, including annotated design journals and efficient digital workflow.

Conceptual thinking is ongoing.

All design students are encouraged to visually communicate ideas effectively, brainstorm collaboratively, further research developed concepts sand meet project deadlines in accordance with course schedule.

Continued assistance is available during the SAP period weekly. All design students are further encouraged to utilize open LAB sessions for personal gain. (SAP sessions resume on Tuesday and Wednesday)

Grading Requirement

• All digital work will be properly organized in digital portfolios for grading. (To include all preliminary design exercises and class demos)

• Response summaries / exit tickets are digitally submitted with major Unit assignments and demonstration.

• HW assignments: short reading responses, work sheets, conceptual planning (posted weekly in Google Classroom)

• “Single Subject” three ring binder / design journals are mandatory. • Binders and/or loose worksheets are submitted/graded biweekly. (binders: to include weekly EQ/notation sheets, work/concept sheets, personal notation and preliminary sketch assignments)

• All design students are responsible for both individual work and collaborative team involvement (project teams MP 2/4)

• All design students are responsible for major MP assessments and exams

• All design students are expected to use relevant / learned design terminology and history in accordance with major Units

• Prompt attendance mandatory (tardies / absences will negatively effect GPA)

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GRAPHIC DESIGNCourse Syllabus / Calendar

Overview Throughout the coursework, students will develop both digital and traditional hand skills. The use of industry relevant vocabulary and LAB terminology will facilitate learning beyond the operating system and related design software, as used throughout the design industry. Introductory assignments will fuse the basic functions of Adobe Photoshop into typographic designs, logotypes, digital collages, photo montages, and product graphics. Students will also sharpen their ability to accurately measure, cut, bind, fold, hand letter and manually construct.

• NOTE - MP1 is a critical learning period. Students will rely and build upon MP1 knowledge throughout the entirety of the course.

The remainder of the course scaffolds on previous learned knowledge and introduces more advanced applications. Industry related projects will cover promotional materials for commercial product, branding, advertisements, posters art, magazine layout, page spreads, album art, and/or package designs.

Throughout the course, design students are further introduced to relevant historical content and exemplar works that support the current unit of study. Support materials are reviewed regularly, with emphasis on effective design solutions used within the industry. Students can regularly access support materials and digital presentations through Google classroom and community design folders.

Coursework Demonstration:

• Typographic manipulation• Image adjustment• Advanced selection techniques• Advanced layering techniques• Layer masking• Color theory and application• Photo retouching and editing • Designing mathematically with grids• Effective design layout• Scanning and printing functions • Manual cutting, mounting, binding and construction

Online tutorials:

Step by step design tutorials accompany class exercises, allowing students to learn at their individual pace. Students can further reference back to design tutorials and cross reference personal journal notations and demonstration exercises. EQ notation sheets will accommodate all major design Units.

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GRAPHIC DESIGNCourse Syllabus / Calendar

Key Concepts to Ensure Success

• Organization - mandatory (3-ring class binder and writing tools every session)• Attendance• Work Ethic - class effort• Self Accountability • Confidence• Enjoyment• Following Instructions and demonstrations• Asking for Suggestions

Course Arrangement

Unit 1: weeks 1 - 3MAC OS/system navigation, Portfolios, Project Agendas, Digital Archiving, Workflow and Program Functions • Course overview / Google classroom / LAB procedures / Portfolio requirements

Unit 2: weeks 4 - 7TYPOGRAPHY: Digital to Traditional • Pictograms, Ideograms, Typograms and Ligature Design - to include introductory typography

assignments• Essential tools and function of Adobe (PS) • Typography: essential knowledge• Digital documentation / file preparation / printing• Major Functions and Elements of Design

Unit 3: weeks 8 - 11DIGITAL COLLAGE: Montage, image manipulation and adjustment • Specifics tools and functions of Adobe (PS) • Digital documentation / file preparation / printing

Unit 4: weeks 12 - 16 ADVERTISING: Brand identity, product graphics and target marketing • Collaborative design groups/teams with individual student positions • Product graphics - small design campaign • Oral presentations

Unit 5: weeks 18 - 22 REISSUED MAGAZINE: Page Spreads and Cover Art • Advanced selection techniques • Digital documentation, file formatting and printing

MID TERMS

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GRAPHIC DESIGNCourse Syllabus / Calendar

Unit 6: weeks 23 - 27 POSTER DESIGN: Vintage to Contemporary • Digital documentation, file formatting and printing

Unit 7: weeks 28 - 35 ALBUM ART: CD Jewel Case Design and Construction • Print and assemblage

Unit 8: weeks 36 - 41 (including final exam preparation)DESIGN TO THE TEST / 101: Freelance, promo design, branding, layout and deadline Package and Branding • Collaborative design groups/teams with individual student positions • Product graphics/design campaign • Oral presentations

FINAL EXAMS

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GRAPHIC DESIGNCourse Syllabus / Calendar

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