SYLLABUS | 217.2 PDF | 217.5 PDF

There is a gap between the production of an idea and its reception. The audience is likely thousands of miles away and surrounded by other messages. How do we establish a reconnect between the original concept and its final recipient? How do we cut through the clutter of visual information hitting us every day? How do we use culture to communicate? This class will address those questions and give you the tools to bring ideas to life and connect those ideas to people.

You will learn about design as it appears in different forms of print and web media and the ways in which those visual forms convey messages to readers. In this class we will examine these platforms and others, and look at the theory and the tools that can be used to achieve effective graphic design.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

  • Learn what is takes to have a successful, diverse visual experience
  • To provide expertise through hands-on exposure to the software used to execute the messages you seek to send
  • To give you the vocabulary both semantic and visual, which will allow you to speak about the visual presentation of effective communication
  • Offer the ability to critically analyze the way visual messages appear
  • Acquire design fundamental skills: type, layout and design, color, and visual/verbal strategies

CLASS WORKLOAD

Because many of you will be working with unfamiliar software so be prepared for projects to take much longer than you expect, plan ahead. It is also important to remember that while learning the software is very important, the programs are only a tool in producing a compelling design. The concepts, thoughts and applications of the principles you will learn are the key to designing work that connects with people. Spend time conceptualizing your projects and use the library, your daily walk to class and the almighty Google to get inspired.

Although you will be learning a lot in the labs and during class, as with life, most of your learning will be outside the classroom and on your own.

MAJOR PROJECTS

As each major project is assigned you will be receive an assignment sheet which states in detail the expectations, goals and requirements for each assignment. Please feel free to ask questions at any point if you need clarification or guidance as to what is expected of you and your work.

Your completed projects will be turned in using a 10” x 13” envelope, with your name (last name first please), section number and project name clearly labeled on the outside of the envelope. Please do no glue or stick the envelope shut.

Each project will require you to not only turn in the final computer-executed design on the GalaxyNH server, but also the class blog. Your roughs, sketches and drafts that brought you to that final implementation of your concept should just be included in the final project folder you place on the GalaxyNH server. You will also turn in a typed rationale for each project. A one paragraph summary is all that is required. Failure to include required sketches and/or the rationale will result in a deduction from the final grade.

DUE

  • FInal Project Folder on the GalaxyNH server
  • Printed Copy with Rational in Envelope with Your Name
  • Blog post [jpg export from InDesign linked to your PDF, rational below image, student resume category selected]

There are 5 major projects designed to progressively build upon the skills and knowledge you will acquire this semester. They are listed below and will be graded as stated.

  • Resume/Wordmark Design 10%
  • Poster/Advertisement Design 10%
  • Logo/Identity System 15%
  • Magazine Project 25%
  • Web Site Design 15%

Blog

You will be expected to post to the class blog each week. Find some super sweet design, post an image and link. Stumble upon a great tutorial, Post a link!
At least 1 post per week 5%

LAB ATTENDANCE

Attending your assigned graphics lab is mandatory and your successful completion of this requirement.

  • 10% of your grade.

Participation and attendance
You are expected to attend and participate in class. You are encouraged to ask questions and to clarify concepts discussed in class. Attendance and class participation are taken into consideration in grading.

  • 10% of your grade.

It is your responsibility to e-mail me directly at kharpe01@syr.edu if you are out sick due to this virus. I will then be in touch with you about any possible work that is to be made up from your absence.

REDOS

Grades are important, however it’s more important that you understand the concepts and principles presented in class. You will be allowed to redo any project that has received a B or below. Projects submitted as redos will need to be returned to me with the following:

  • New digital project file
  • New rationale detailing only the changes you made in the project
  • New PDF
  • New blog post with
  • Old digital project files

Extra credit

You can earn extra credit by attending certain lectures by visiting speakers. These opportunities will be mentioned in class, but will definitely include anyone speaking about graphics or photography topics. I will ask you to attend the lecture or speech and then summarize for me what you learned from the speaker in a one-page paper turned in within a week of the speech.
You can earn up to 10 total points during the semester, five per speaker.

WHAT IS WHAT

You’re going to be the very first to turn-in your final projects to both the server and blog (you lucky devils). The server turn-in will constitute the bulk of your grade but the blog turn-in will be a great resource for your classmates and future students.

>>View the Videos On How to Turn Your Work In

THE SERVER

THE BLOG

Create a post for each final project and include the following items. Be sure to select the “Resume Student Work” category in the blog post on the right-hand side of the page before you hit save.

POST MUST INCLUDE

  • .jpg image of your final (960 x whatever, 12 quality)
  • Rationale
  • Link to PDF download
  • Select “Resume Student Work” category in the post before saving

Access the Newhouse Galaxy Server

  1. Go to the “desktop”
  2. Go to the “control bar” select ‘Go’ and then select ‘Connect to Server’
  3. In the text field labeled “Server Address:” type in: galaxynh
  4. Click on ‘Connect’ in the lower right hand corner of the window
  5. A new window will prompt you for a user name and password
  6. Your class user name and password will be emailed to you later

SKETCHES | DRAFTS

As mentioned in the Major Projects section, you will be required to hand in your sketches and drafts for all projects. These supplementary materials will also be required for you to bring to class according to the schedule in this syllabus.

Sketches are quick or polished sketches that are done by hand or on the computer. These include details such as type and image placement, type choices, preliminary thoughts on imagery, and references to grid designs.

Drafts are more polished designs. They are always executed on the computer, printed in black & white, and are steps toward your final design. These are your sketches brought to life and demonstrate your progress and your concept in full detail.

DEADLINES

Deadlines are a part of life and are certainly an absolute in the communications industry. This class is run on strict deadlines so plan accordingly, your deviance from stated deadlines will be met with a deduction in your grade for that project. This includes when I will ask for your roughs or drafts in class.

Projects that are more than 10 minutes late after the end of class will be considered past deadline and your grade for that project will be marked down 1 letter grade. In addition, late projects will not be allowed to be turned in for redo grades. If extenuating circumstances are the cause of you turning in a project late, please speak with me as soon as possible.

TUTORS & LABS

Your lab managers are available during the operating hours of the lab to answer software questions. These individuals are not to be used as design tutors, so please be sure to note that their design guidance may not be in line with what I consider acceptable. You should consult with me or the lecture IA for project guidance. Our opinions matter much more to your grading and that’s why we’re here.

Consider signing up for lynda.com, an online turorial site. For $25.00 a month you can get access to some of the best video tutorials for InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and many other applications. It’s worth it.

PARTICIPATION

The discussions we will have in class are key to your understanding of design. Be prepared to speak your mind and review the guidelines for critiques and discussion in the sidebar. This will make a big difference in your final grade.

FLEXIBLE SYLLABUS

I reserve the right to revise this syllabus as needed, or based on our pace this semester.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

At Syracuse University, academic integrity is expected of every community member in all endeavors. Academic integrity includes a commitment to the values of honesty, trustworthiness, fairness, and respect. These values are essential to the overall success of an academic society. In addition, each member of the university community has a right to expect adherence to academic integrity from all other community members.

An individual’s academic dishonesty threatens and undermines the central mission of the university. It is unfair to other community members who do not cheat, because it devalues efforts to learn, to teach, and to conduct research. Academic dishonesty interferes with moral and intellectual development, and poisons the atmosphere of open and trusting intellectual discourse.”

See http://provost.syr.edu/provost/Units/academicprograms/academicintegrity/index.aspx#policies

Statement Regarding Disability-Related Accommodations
Students who are in need of disability-related academic accommodations must register with the Office of Disability Services (ODS), 304 University Avenue, Room 309, 315-443-4498. Students with authorized disability-related accommodations should provide a current Accommodation Authorization Letter from ODS to the instructor and review those accommodations with the instructor. Accommodations, such as exam administration, are not provided retroactively; therefore, planning for accommodations as early as possible is necessary. For further information, see the ODS website, Office of Disability Services at: http://disabilityservices.syr.edu or contact the office directly at: Phone: (315) 443-4498, Telecommunications Device for the Deaf: (315) 443-1371, E-Mail: odssched@syr.edu

Educational Use Notice

In compliance with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, registration in this class is understood as permission for assignments prepared for this class to be used for educational purposes.

PROFESSOR
Ken Harper
Newhouse I RM 500
kharpe01[at]syr.edu
315.443.6131
Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 1-2
Also available by appointment on
tungle.me/kenharper

LECTURE IA
GRA217.2 T/Th
Ashley Christiano
adchrist[at]syr.edu
Office Hours: Wednesday 3-4
Thursday 4-5, NH 1 RM 119

GRA217.5 M/W
Tim Olsen
trolsen[at]syr.edu
Office House: Monday & Wednesday 2-3:45
NH 1 RM 119

REQUIRED TEXT
Thinking with Type by Ellen Lupton

RECOMMENDED LAB TEXT
Visual Quickstart Guide, InDesign CS4
Graphic Design Basics by Amy Arnston
Lynda.com ($25 a month)

SOUL FOOD
“The Journey is the Destination:
The Journals of Dan Eldon”

CLASS FILE SERVERS AND SITES

Class Server:
GalaxyNH: You are required to submit electronic files for all major projects to this server.

Class Blog:
Assignment sheets, course documents and other topics will be posted on the class blog site at: establishareconnect.com/gra217/ You can register at establishareconnect.com/gra217/wp

SUPPLIES
Please purchase these supplies:

  • Sketchbook, (9×12)
  • Large Envelopes for Projects
  • A few magazines & newspapers

COMPUTER LAB
You’ll need to save projects you work on in the labs, buy a thumb drive, CDs or external hard drive. You are strongly encouraged to back-up all your work and to save copies of it often. Many of you will lose projects, BACK UP!

CLASS RULES
There will be no use of cell phones during class, turn them off. Leaving in the middle of lecture is disruptive to your fellow students and to me. If you foresee a need to leaving early please let me know before class starts.

ATTENDANCE
Having more than three unexcused classes will result in a grade reduction. You are expected to attend all lectures and labs. If you can’t, let me know. Also notify your lab instructor if you cannot make a class. If you don’t show up you won’t succeed in this course.

Acceptable reasons for missing a class include personal emergencies and sickness, though I reserve the right to require verification of your illness or emergency.

Showing up late to class is a bad idea. Please speak with your lecture TA if you arrive late so you are not incorrectly marked absent. If your name is not on the attendance sheet you will be marked not present!

SAVE YOUR WORK

  • Save and save often.
  • The computers are machines and will inevitably have a problem when it is least convenient to you.
  • Save you work often (again), multiple versions to multiple thumbdrives or email yourself a copy as a backup.

You will hand in electronic files for all projects along with final printed versions. The printers can be a bit fussy but I expect a reasonably nice print version of your project. However, your grade will be based on the electronic files you save to the GalaxyNH server.
HOW TO TURN THINGS IN

Server Turn-in
Projects folders should include the followin:

  • Packaged InDesign (marked as final)
  • PDF (of final Indesign file)
  • Drafts/sketches (Indesign files/sketches)

Project folders need to be named as follows:

  • lastname-firstname-projectname (i.e – harper-ken-resume-final)

All Project files need to be named as follows:

  • lastname-firstname-projectname (i.e – harper-ken-resume-final.ind)

Blog Turn-in as follows:

  • Rationale
  • .jpg image of your final (960 x whatever, 12 quality)
  • Link to PDF download

CRITIQUES & DISCUSSION
These will be a vital part of each class. No person is an island unto themselves, in the classroom we have a wealth of diverse ideas and experiences and we’ll be tapping into that strength during class as each of you share your work. Critiques will occur in class and online for each project, be prepared.

This is a subjective world and a subjective medium and this is also a class. Liking or not liking something is ok, but I expect you to use the vocabulary you are learning in our discussions.

Do not disrespect your fellow students in your discussions. You will find that any attempts to belittle, or humiliate another person will not be tolerated.

The fundamental thing to keep in mind is that the suggestions of others and those you make should be meant to show another side to an existing thought. Suggestions to make improvements to a design are encouraged and will help your fellow students a great deal.