 |
|
 |
This is a UC approved comprehensive course that introduces the students to the graphic design field. In this digital design course students will gain the necessary skills for today’s new technologies of digital printing and web design. Class starts with a comprehensive foundation in design methods, drawing, color theory, conceptual skills, basic foundation of graphic design, graphic art history and digital techniques to create visually pleasing and effective graphic communications.
|
COURSE CONTENT
Course Goals and/or Major Student Outcomes
1. Demonstrate ability to respond to, analyze, and make critical assessments about graphic artwork
2. Connect and apply what is learned in Digital Design to learning in other art forms & subject areas.
3. Process, analyze, and respond to sensory information through the language and skills unique to design.
4. Demonstrate and understanding of the historical contributions and culture dimensions of design.
5. Create artwork using various computer techniques and processes.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Students will be able to problem solve, communicate and manage time and resources effectively.
2. Students will research style, role and influence of various designers who use graphics in their work.
3. Students will create and maintain a portfolio in which they will:
• Write analysis of projects completed
• Respond to, analyze and make critical assessments about specific works of art
• Research how graphic artists influence culture
• Judge the success of their own artwork as well as the artwork of others, using language appropriate
to graphic design.
4. Students will learn the requirements of advertising and publication design; and understand the requirements of digital prepress.
COURSE OUTLINE
A. Introduction to Graphic Design Field
1. Course overview—motivate students about the art field
2. Qualities need to be successful as a graphic designer
3. Creative thinking and the design process: research, roughs and comprehensives
4. Discussion of business and ethical practices, copyright, and other real-world concerns, misconcep tion and strategies
5. Computer hardware and software requirements, disk management and file saving
Upon completion of this section student will understand the skills and language of computer graphics in order to process, analyze, and respond to sensory information received from other work created using computer graphics and contemporary media. Learn to verbally and visually present their work.
B. INTRODUCTION TO GRAPHIC DESIGN HISTORY
1. Graphic design history from the beginning to today’s tools
2. History of graphic art style (industrial revolution, Gestalt, Futurism, abstract, Russian Revolution, Bauhaus, art deco, surrealism, New Bauhaus, New Wave) periods and there influence on culture and lifestyle
3. The impact of technology on the design profession and the relationship of graphic design to busi ness, service, and industry.
Upon completion of this section student will be able to understand historical contributions to computer graphics and understand the cultural influence on computer graphics and media.
C. INTRODUCTION TO GRAPHIC DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS
1. Principles of design, including balance, proportion, dominance and unity thru imagery
2. Exploring the designer’s toolbox: color, shape, texture, line and space.
3. Drawing (types of lines, media, perspective) and rendering techniques (color, depth, textures, use of light, reflective and matte surfaces).
4. Concepts and creatively: targeting your audience to communicate with them persuasively, the art of selling, developing the attitude that leads to more effective design.
5. Introduction to typography and its effective use.
a) Alphabets and terminology, type styles, selecting fonts, line length, kerning, leading and spacing, format, specifying copy, proofreader’s marks and type for the digital age.
6. Symbols and trademarks—function of trademarks and why design works
a) Through visual problem-solving experience students will define a clients image and identity, working from the concept to the completion of computer generated artwork.
7. Basic color theory and how to use hue, value and saturation. You will develop a working knowledge of the properties of color which allow you to make appropriate color choices for printing, graphics and creating original works of art.
8. Understanding the production process: terms, trapping, process color, bleeds, file linking and for mats, compression and prepress requirements
Upon completion of this section student will be able to conceptualized design concepts, implement and demonstrate proficiency in the basic fundamentals of art and illustration techniques and how they are used in the field of computer graphics relating to graphic design. Will be able to use typography as a design element to improve visual communication. Learned to identify additive and subtractive color, values and optical mixtures. After researching articles on effective logo design, students will evaluate logo designs and create a logo utilizing peer evaluation to determine the effectiveness of the logo. Critical assessment of other students designs. Projects will include drawing, word illustration, designing and rendering of illustrations from basic to advanced, logo/trademark design and print production projects.
D. INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER DIGITAL LAYOUT SOFTWARE AND ITS RELATION TO GRAPHIC ART AND DESIGN
1. Basics of promotional material and publication design using QuarkXPress.
2. Word processing, tools, menu features, saving and printing files using QuarkXPress.
3. Reading QuarkXPress lessons on word processing (importing and entering text), page layout, pic tures (import and modifying), typography (leading, kerning and linking text boxes) and color (create colors and applying to text and pictures).
4. Advanced features to energize your designs: text on a path, changing text to editable outlines, Bezier drawing tools, clipping paths, runaround features, custom frames, scaling grouped items, style sheets, libraries and maximizing productivity with short cuts.
5. Increase the students creative options with vector based software. Learn the building process for object-oriented illustrations. Prepare, illustrate and assemble full-page color illustrations. Learn how to get the most from drawing tools. Learn how to transform vector objects into animated Web objects.
Upon completion of this section the students have learned conceptual skills in digital techniques needed to create visually pleasing and effective graphic communications from concept to print. Student have mastery of Mac platform including publication and advertising design using QuarkXPress and Illustrator. Projects include a type poster, charts, magazine article, multi-page newsletter and a pocket brochure.
E. INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER DIGITAL IMAGIN G SOFTWARE AND ITS RELATION TO GRAPHIC ART AND DESIGN
1. Basics of digital imagery using Photoshop while learning techniques and shortcuts to increase productivity. Extensive hands-on assignments and demos will explore skills for preparing graphic images for print, Web and multimedia projects.
2. Learning the basics of Photoshop from concept to visual by reading lessons that feature: menus, type, selections, retouching an image, cropping, file size and resolution, sharpening, dodge and burn images, channels and layers, quick mask, layers, filters, airbrush and painting tools, pen and brush tools, adding color to b&w images, duotones and tinting, tonal correction using curves, adjusting the color balance, unsharp mask and sharpening.
3. Create complex layered images with masks, clipping groups, paths, color correction, image manipulation and design, compositing, and special effects. Exploring the latest advances and capabilities including: opacity and blending modes, actions and batch automation, history palette, snapshots and the history brush; color modes and converting RGB to CMYK images; channels and alpha channels; scanning: calibrating, resolution and resizing; spot colors; file formats and compatibility with other programs. Extensive written tests for competence.
Upon completion of this section the students have learned thru extensive reading to apply the skills in digital techniques needed to create visually effective graphics. Student come away with ideas and techniques for other art projects that are impossible to get from the software document alone. Projects will include a promotional flyer, poster, CD jacket, book jacket, poster of social significance, magazine cover, expressionistic illustration, portrait retouching, repairing and hand-coloring an image.
22. TEXTS & SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Basic Text Books:
1. Alan Swann, graphic design school, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
2. Amy E. Arntson, Graphic Design Basics, Harcourt Brace College Publishers
3. Adobe, Adobe Photoshop 6.0 Classroom in a Book, Adobe Systems Inc.
4. Michael Baumgardt, QuarkXPress 6 for Print and Web Design, Peachtree Press.
23. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS AND/OR STRATEGIES
Students will receive course information through:
1. Instructor demonstrations of actual projects from start to finish with graphic samples
2. Lectures with overhead projector
3. Demonstrations using LCD and screen sharing
4. Audio visual materials
5. Discussion and analyzing of work
6. Over-the-shoulder instruction
7. Lessons prepared for each application and assignment
8. Library/internet research
9. Project based learning
10. Handouts
11. Reading class textbook
24. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND/OR TOOLS
Students will be evaluated based on the following:
1. Effort on application tutorial lessons
2. Effort on class assignments
3. Completing assignments and lessons timely
4. Performance on written tests
5. Attendance
Grading is as follows: A=90% or greater, B=8089%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%, F=1-59%. Certificate issued after completing Digital Design 1 and 2
An "F" is given to an assignment if there is no effort to meet the requirements. A "D" is given if the assignment completely fails to address some of the requirement while meeting the other requirements. A "C" is given if the assignment addresses all the requirements, but at a minimal level. The assignment is solid but less sophisticated in content and graphics. A "B" is given if the assignment demonstrates a clear understanding of the requirements and the finished result is a strong but thinner version of an "A" assignment. It is still impressive and interesting. An "A" is given to an assignment that is clearly superior and technically correct.
|
|
|
|
|
