Graphic Design One: Cover Design Slideshow

Please read this before Friday. It's a great little slideshow about how John Maeda approached designing a cover for the New York Times.

John Maeda Slideshow

Ryan

Syllabus

Graphic Design One
GD 200 01 Fall 2008

The Big Picture: This course will focus on developing and expanding your vocabulary as a graphic designer by exploring basic design elements (line, type, shape, texture) and principles (balance, contrast, composition, color) to create forms and concept. You will become familiar with the discipline of graphic design by producing images, symbols and systems and by investigating the use of research and writing as tools for visual communication.

Expectations: Each student will be required to keep a process notebook during the semester. This book will be used to document the students ideation and project development. All research, images, sketches and ideas should be recorded in a clear, concise manner for each project. The process book will be collected at the end of the semester and will count as one full project grade in your final evaluation.

You will also be responsible for assigned readings during the semester, and documenting your reaction to these readings. The readings are intended to further your knowledge and enrich your experience of the design field. These readings will be documented and turned in with your process book.

The Rules: Students are required to attend ALL class meetings and critiques. Unexcused absences, failure to show work in progress, and lack of consistent, professional and enthusiastic participation in class will result in a lower final grade.

Missing four classes will automatically result in an F for the class.

Each day a project is late will result in the reduction of a full-letter graded until the project is turned in.

Projects: The course will consist of 4 projects of varying difficulty, duration, and deliverables. Additionally, there will be several one-day workshops and intensive design sessions throughout the semester. Each project will involve individual and group critiques, lab work sessions, and final project presentation of deliverables.

Contact: Ryan Clifford ryan.d.clifford@gmail.com rclifford@mica.edu 410.340.8636

Office: Brown 308, Graduate Lab Office hours available by appointment

Grading Criteria:
1. Ability to research subject matter and apply it effectively and appropriately.
2. Creation of effective design solutions that communicates the intended message with sensitivity to context and target audience.
3. Design sophistication in your approach to projects.
4. Active participation in all critiques and classroom discussions.
5. All work completed following the specifications given.
6. All work handed in on time. Late work will receive a full-grade reduction each day late.
7. Documentation of process work.
8. Work in progress must be presented as printouts, not digitally. Get in the habit of looking at your work in the form it is intended to be seen in.

Project and final grades will be determined by a combination of the following:

Process (research, ideation, concept development, execution)
Design Development (variations, growth, risk, success of solution)
Presentation (clean, professionalism, craft, articulation of concepts)
Participation (attendance, active in class, participate in class discourse)

Students may resubmit ANY projects for reconsideration after revision. Successful revision could potentially raise your project grade by one letter. You may resubmit each project ONCE.

Must Haves:
x-acto knife and fresh #11 blades
cork backed metal ruler
design marker
double-sided graph paper
self-healing cutting mat
12 x 18 or larger adhesive: studio tac or spray mount (NO rubber cement)
black illustration board for project presentation
flashdrive, minimum 1 GB blank CDs + CD sleeves or jewel cases

Graphic Design One GD 200 01 Fall 2008

September
05 First class. Project 1.
12 Design development.
19 Full Class Critique. 9am to Noon.
26 Project 2

October
03 Design development.
10 Design development.
17 Full Class meeting, 9 am to Noon.
24 Project 3.
31 Full Class meeting, 9 am to Noon. Workshop.

November
07 Design development.
14 Full Class meeting, 9 am to Noon. Critique.
21 Full Class meeting, 9 am to Noon. Workshop.
28 Thanksgiving. No Class.

December
05 Project 4.
12 Project development.
19 Final class review.

This is a tentative schedule. Some adjustments may be necessary as the semester proceeds. Plan on meeting for final critique on December 19, 2008.

The Small Print: ADA Compliance Statement. In order to provide the highest quality educational experience for every student, MICA is committed to compliance with the ADA and Section 504. Any student who has (or suspects he or she may have) a physical, cognitive, or psychological disability and who wants to request accommodations must immediately schedule an appointment to meet with the Director of the Learning Resource Center, by calling the LRC at 410-225-2416. The LRC is MICA’s designated department for determining reasonable accommodations based on legal requirements and will provide the eligible student with an official Accommodation Verification letter for their instructors. Each semester the student must formally request accommodations from the LRC, the format of the Verification letters change each semester to ensure currency.

NOTE: Students with disabilities who want assistance during emergency evacuations must register with the LRC within the first week of each semester.

Health and Safety Compliance. MICA has developed policies and practices to ensure a healthful environment and safe approaches to the use of equipment, materials, and processes. It is the mutual responsibility of faculty and students to review health and safety standards relevant to each class at the beginning of each semester. Students should be aware of general fire, health, and safety regulations posted in each area and course specific policies, practices, and cautions. Students who have concerns related to health and safety should contact the Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator. The Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator, Quentin Moseley, may be reached at 410 462-7593 or by email at qmoseley@mica.edu.

Graphic Design One

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Cover Design Slideshow

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